Background
First time poster here (lurker for a while). This past July, I got a used 1999 323i w/ ~80,000 miles on it. And FYI, I know very little about cars (but am trying to learn).

After about a month of use, the A/C compressor seized up and was diagnosed as needing replacement. Since I live in Nebraska (with few options for mechanics willing to work on a BMW), I cut the A/C belt as a temp fix and sweated through the hottest part of the year while I looked for an alternative to the dealership mechanic.

Well, I found out that one of the mechanics who actually works at a BMW dealership does work at home in his off time...so I went that route to save a little.

So yesterday I just got the car back. A new A/C compressor was put in, a fuse was replaced (one that had something to do with deactivating the climate control console when it blew), and the A/C clutch was apparantly just stuck. It's freezing now outside (well 34 deg.) so kinda hard to tell if the A/C is working, but so far as I can tell, it is. But I discover a new problem today. The heat is not working properly!

Details of the Heater Problem
Here is what I know:
1. Using the main (upper) vent setting has luke-warm air in the CENTER 2 vents. Meanwhile, the far left and far right vents are completely cold. No heat. I've tried up to 91 deg. And my car is warmed up, and in use.

2. If you set the vent settings to Defrost OR the Floor, the heat coming out is much hotter (normal, close-to normal?).

3. When you turn on defrost it will blow COLD through the upper center vents for ~3 seconds before switching to the defrost vents.
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Is there any chance that the mechanic did something wrong (messed up) when he replaced the A/C compressor, which is affecting my heating system? I don't know if the heater worked before this because there was no need to use it AND I couldn't even if I had wanted to due to my climate control console being off.

I'm looking for some info before I call him so I know a little what I am talking about. What could the problem be?

Do you have a horizontal temperature control wheel by the middle vents on the dash -- with red and blue dots on it? If so, make sure it's turned all the way to the red.

There is a picture of one like mine here (copy & paste to addy bar):

photos.ebizautos.com/3814/767796_36.jpg

Do you mean that center wheel between the 2 vents? I've never noticed that before...is it possible I do not have one? *scratches head*

have you cheched the knob above the center vents. it should be moved over to the right showing all red dots for the hottest setting on the vents. i had the exact same problem and i took it in to be looked at and i felt pretty dumb after i realized it was right under my nose the whole time. by the way im not sure if your vents are set up the same as mine so i could be wrong but you might want to look at it. i have a 98 323is.

That picture is different than mine. I can't really see the controls in the middle in the picture - but I think you're saying you don't even have them? I'm confused.

I have it, and yea, it was set to cool. ^_^; Thanks guys.

Almost forgot, I have another question. This has happened since I got the car.

Whenever I turn the car on, the blower/fan/vents turn on at mid-speed and set to 80 deg. No matter what I do, the next time I turn on the car it automatically goes to these settings. Is something wrong, or is there a way to stop this?