Center Vent blowing Cold HELP!!

[neilm3]

Hey Guys, I'm kinda new to this but I need your help. When I turn the heat on all vents blow hot except the center ones. Anyone else experienced this?? I have a '98 M3

[jsp98m3]

Rotate that little wheel by the vent from blue to red.....

[neilm3]

I'm a moron....thanks

[jdmorris]

What does that knob do, anyway (not the result, but what does it do mechanically)? It seems to negate the effect of having automatic climate control - a weird feature I haven't seen in any other car. Does it have some great use that I'm unaware of besides allowing me to skip ever using the digital temperature control (I have a '99)?

[Lemming]

Neilm3,

Don't feel bad, I picked up my M3 a few weeks ago and had the same problem

[bimmer95]

If you leave the knob centered then the auto temp control works as normal. The knob allows the driver to tune the air blowing directly in their face to a different temp then the ambient temp. Just another "comfort" feature.

[ihooklow]

RTFM

[jsp98m3]

I think 90% of BMW owners get hung on that one the first time. Happened to me too.

[mjfeeney]

Old thread I have stumbled on here, but I think the knob is a backup in case the $150 heater valve fails. You are going to get hot air all the time unless you turn the knob.

[Ron17]

Originally posted by jsp98m3
I think 90% of BMW owners get hung on that one the first time. Happened to me too.

No... just you older ones.

[jsp98m3]

That can't be it, I had my first BMWs when I was younger than you. Must be because I started school in Alabama...