The blower on my '97 328i with digital climate controller doesn't seem to have the capacity it used to. That is, even with the fan set to full blast, it works only at about 40-50%. I replaced the microfilter just a couple of months ago, so I don't think the ducts could be clogged. The blower doesn't sound like it's being overtaxed by a restriction.

I did a search and found that a common problem with E36 climate control systems is the blower resistor. However, the problems I read about were for cars with the rotary-knob controller, and the symptoms were different - the blower wouldn't move any air on settings 1, 2, and 3.

Has anyone out there with an E36 digital climate control unit experienced similar problems? Do I also have a bad blower resistor, or is it something else? (Like the blower itself, maybe?)

Thanks in advance for your help.

replace the microfilter...it will make a big difference

I appreciate the advice, but as I said,

Originally posted by G. P. Burdell
I replaced the microfilter just a couple of months ago...

whups, must be something to do with how you swapped them. did you clean all the crap out of there when the old one was out but before you installed the new one? maybe something got in there and is obstructing your blower...

Everything was fairly clean when I opened up the microfilter housing. If I get the chance one night this week, I'll open it up and have a look.

The blower just doesn't sound like it's moving any faster when I increase the speed above 50%. That's what leads me to think it's the blower or the blower resistor rather than a physical obstruction.

ahh, maybe someone here has had that problem. just for the sake of it i would search under microfilter and see what shows up because someone might have thought they needed one but had your problem...

Originally posted by G. P. Burdell
The blower on my '97 328i with digital climate controller doesn't seem to have the capacity it used to. That is, even with the fan set to full blast, it works only at about 40-50%. I replaced the microfilter just a couple of months ago, so I don't think the ducts could be clogged. The blower doesn't sound like it's being overtaxed by a restriction.

I did a search and found that a common problem with E36 climate control systems is the blower resistor. However, the problems I read about were for cars with the rotary-knob controller, and the symptoms were different - the blower wouldn't move any air on settings 1, 2, and 3.

Has anyone out there with an E36 digital climate control unit experienced similar problems? Do I also have a bad blower resistor, or is it something else? (Like the blower itself, maybe?)

Thanks in advance for your help.






Just an idea . see if the fresh air vent knob or wheel is turned to the blue not the red : the one on your dash it could still be the micro filter, ive seen some that clogged in 5 thousand miles, it depends where you park or drive, we have one custumer that had so many leaves in there that it didnt blow either this happenned in a month . you no that if the roller is turned to the red not much air will come out the vents

Originally posted by mullhaupt
Just an idea . see if the fresh air vent knob or wheel is turned to the blue not the red : the one on your dash it could still be the micro filter, ive seen some that clogged in 5 thousand miles, it depends where you park or drive, we have one custumer that had so many leaves in there that it didnt blow either this happenned in a month . you no that if the roller is turned to the red not much air will come out the vents

mullhaupt,

Thanks for the advice. This evening, I removed the glovebox, opened up the microfilter housing, and removed the microfilter. The filter looked okay - it only has 5k miles on it, and although there's been quite a lot of pollen this spring, the filter mesh was only lightly coated with it. I felt as far as I could inside the microfilter housing and found no obstructions.

I played with the fresh air and warm/cold air wheels on the drive home today - no difference. The blower performance was still poor.

I'm tempted to buy a new final stage unit, plug it in, and see what happens.

Has anyone with digital HVAC controls encountered this problem? :dunno

Update:

I purchased a new final stage unit from the local dealer (P/N 64 11 8 380 580, list $79.50) yesterday and installed it. Problem solved! The blower output actually matches the setting on the control unit now, and it runs all the way up to full blast. And it's a good thing, too, because summer's coming. :redspot

The final stage unit is a funky-looking thing with long spikes (for cooling, I presume). It's under the driver's side dash, to the right of the gas pedal. The first of the two Torx screws holding the unit in place was easy to remove, but the other was a little tricky because a large bundle of wires was in the way. See attached pictures.

Location of the final stage unit. Driver's side lower dash panel has been removed. The final stage unit attaches via Torx screws on the upper left and lower right corners.

Thanks for the info and pics...I have a 97328is and my blower is shot as well. ia mreplacing the microfilter this weekend to start but will prob have to do the same thing you did...How did you come to take a guess at the final stage unit vs the resistor pack??

thanks man

It's my understanding that the final stage unit is for cars with digital climate control, and the blower resistor pack is for cars with rotary-knob climate control. They serve the same purpose - to regulate fan speed - but they are not interchangeable.

I am going to do the final stage unit as well as microfilter now to cover everything...Is that part number above the same for a 1997 e36?

thanks
robert

My car is a '97 328i, too. The same part should work in your car, but I encourage you to confirm fitment with your parts source before buying. Most vendors do not accept returns on electrical components. Good luck!

Location of the final stage unit. Driver's side lower dash panel has been removed. The final stage unit attaches via Torx screws on the upper left and lower right corners.


GP BURDELL,

How do you remove the Driver's side lower dash panel?

Thanks

There are three or four Phillips-head screws securing the knee bolster cover. Remove them, then remove the lower panel. If you've ever had to change out the brake light switch, you know how to remove it. :)

There are three or four Phillips-head screws securing the knee bolster cover. Remove them, then remove the lower panel. If you've ever had to change out the brake light switch, you know how to remove it. :)


THANKS!!!

sorry to bump this old thread but I have the same problem. I took my car to my mechanic and he said its the heater blower motor? My car is a 96 so i have the digital climate control. Now i'm confused because you guys are sayings its the final stage unit?

If your fan still spins in all speed settings but seems weak, it is likely one of two problems: cabin filter needs changing or the blower motor has issues. Often times the motor just needs a good cleaning-other times it may need new brushes or bushings.

excuse me, but is that the picture of the new final stage unit that you bought and installed in your car?
if it is, you might want to look into getting a different one.
there's an updated verison, the base is black plastic, the spikes are fewer and thinner.
good luck

excuse me, but is that the picture of the new final stage unit that you bought and installed in your car?
if it is, you might want to look into getting a different one.
there's an updated verison, the base is black plastic, the spikes are fewer and thinner.
good luck

Hey would you mind reading my post on needing a new heater blower motor?

where at? search is disabled.

there's an updated verison, the base is black plastic, the spikes are fewer and thinner.
You're correct. I replaced the final stage unit again last summer and got the one you described.

Whats this new and updated final stage unit you guys speak of? I just ordered the one G.P. Purdell did where he listed the part number. Did I get the wrong one?

I just replaced my blower motor and microfilter, since these didnt do the trick im replacing the final stage unit.

if your final stage looks like the one in the picture, than you've got the older version.
it should have a black plastic base instead of full aluminum

See attached for the new and old final stage units. The part number of the new unit is visible.

See attached for the new and old final stage units. The part number of the new unit is visible.

perfect:D Thats what I got

Which unit is that? The front intake fan keeps running when the car is not on, which drains the battery empty. All other controls (AC, etc) work just fine. After reading some postings, everybody refers to the Blower Resistor. After researching , there are two Blower Resistor - Blower Motor Resistor (Part # #R2032-61965) and Blower Motor Resistor Final Stage (Part #R2032-125167 ). Which one should be replaced and where it's located withing a car (96 328i)? Thanks

The part numbers do not appear to be BMW part numbers.

The FSU is used with the automatic climate control. If you have a manual system (with the knob that sets fan speed to 1, 2, 3) then you don't have a FSU.

On the e36, the FSU is located on the right side of the driver's footwell. See post #10 in this thread.