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Thread: Bad IHKA panel?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    1997 BMW 540i 6 speed

    Bad IHKA panel?

    It’s a ’97 540i. The IHKA “Auto” setting seems not to work: just a whisper of heat, and blower does not run. I can control the blower speed at the panel, and heat comes out, so I assume that the FSU is OK.

    The outside temp reading is correct.

    Any opinions that the IHKA control panel is faulty? I have not read a symptom like this.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by edjack View Post
    It’s a ’97 540i. The IHKA “Auto” setting seems not to work: just a whisper of heat, and blower does not run. I can control the blower speed at the panel, and heat comes out, so I assume that the FSU is OK.

    The outside temp reading is correct.

    Any opinions that the IHKA control panel is faulty? I have not read a symptom like this.
    Inside the right vent, under the cold button , there is a inside temperature sensor and a fan that pulls the outside(cabin) air in and according to that reading the temperature is adjusted and heat is mostly directed to the feet.
    Usually it gathers huge amounts of dust and the sensor can not properly read the temperature.
    Also don't put any cold or worm in front of that vent in the cup holder. It will mess up the reading.
    Take a look here.

    https://youtu.be/W_-Q7ITIPvU

    Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Yep, old problem. I have had huge amounts of dust build up in that little pass through vent. The circuit board has a little fan that sucks air in from the cabin, samples the air and adjusts the climate control accordingly, little dustballs like to build up in there, vacuum those ports at least once a year.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    New symptom for me. Just posted this to see if anyone else has observed it.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  5. #5
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    hiss by my window
    Any resolution for this? Another thought is that the aspiration fan has failed.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  6. #6
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    Is that the fan inside the IHKA panel? If so, I can hear it running.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  7. #7
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    It can be running, but if there is the usual dustball in there, the sensor will not smaple the air properly.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

  8. #8
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    99 528i, 90 535i, 07 X3
    If you have INPA and a cable you can talk to the IHKA and check the values at all of it's sensors.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by edjack View Post
    Is that the fan inside the IHKA panel? If so, I can hear it running.
    Did you check that video... you have all you need there, explained nicely.

    Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    I did watch it but have not yet embarked on the fix.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

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