So, I have a 2002 x5 with just under 50,000 miles... so very well kept and maintained.

Everything has been perfect except that all of a sudden yesterday, there is no air coming from the front vents. The back blower is working fine and there is cool or warm air being produced but there is no blower in the front.

So, I know everyone is aware of the Final Stage Resistor (FSU) being the problem in these cars but before I get one, I wanted to get everyone's opinion as to whether this sounds like that kind of a problem or not...

I mean, if the FSU fails, does it just die all of a sudden or does it get a mind of its own so-to-speak and increase and decrease fan or something for a while before failing?

I have checked the fuses by the way, and all are ok.

By the way, I plugged in my diagnostic thingamajig (OBDII) and it read no codes from the car. So, if it was the blower itself or the circuit, I probably would have gotten a code right?

Anyway, I'd love to get some opinions on this...

Thanks a million everyone and happy new year!

more than likely the fsu is toast. i have seen them only run one speed, go completely out, have a mind of there own, drain batteries, cause a/c control heads not to work. these are just a few problems i have seen, i woudl replace the fsu, takes about 5 minutes and go from there.

Agreed.. the FSU goes.. easy quick fix.

Thanks to the both of you for responding... It is rather interesting b/c I was on my way down to pick up an FSU from the dealership and the blower came back on! So, I was very glad that it wasn't the blower motor itself that was the problem... the dealership parts guy who has been there for almost 20 years said something very interesting... I called to check to see if they had the FSU in stock, and I told him it was a 2002 and all that... and he said he was shocked that my FSU had even worked that long! He was more than sure that was the problem as well...

Anyway, so the only question left is how do I get it changed? Does the whole glovbox have to come out or can I somehow reach?

Thanks again!

take the pass side carpet trim off the center console, it has screw in it. look toward the firewall and you will see if. It is up in there a little, but easy to get too. it will take all of about 20 minutes to replace.

Glove box doesn't need to come out but it gives you more room to work with if removed. Follow the instructions located here:

http://www.x5world.com/articles/x5/miscellaneous-x5/10139-final-stage-resistor-replacement.html

I suggest using a little wrench to pull it out. It's almost impossible to get your hand all the way back there. While at X5world you should also read up on window regulator replacement.

Tu