Climate Control Computer Module

[Barenjager]

Hello everyone,

I have a 99 323is. I've been have a couple of problems. The first is with the Climate Control Computer Module. It has been acting like it has a short circuit. The display goes dim and the unit flashes on and off intermittantly. This means there is no reliable A/C, heater, or fan. The part costs $500 from bavarian autoport. Is there a way to fix this without replacing the whole unit? Has anyone else had this problem? How difficult is the unit to replace? What is the cause of the failure?

The other problem is that my airbag indicator has lit up and now will not go off. Another post for a 7-series indicates that this could cost $700 to diagnose and fix. Anyone know what caused this indicator to go off? Any tricks to fix this?
Thanks, hope to hear from all of you soon.

[dhinez]

Mine did this too. It's a common problem amongst e36 '96 and on with digital climate controls. Basically its a micro farad capacitor that either goes bad or the solder disgrades on the ends. For me the solder just degraded and resoldered the ends. Hopefully this is your problem.

Here is a DIY digital climate control fix:
http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=186498

[just4kinks]

+1 on the capacitor fix.

For the airbag light, you will need to get your hands on a Peake SRS tool and run the diagnostic.

[Barenjager]

WOW, reflowed solder joint as directed and reinstalled unit in car. Surprise, surprise, it actually worked! They must have not allowed enough time for a good solder joint when they put the boards through the solder wave. I used to work in electronics. Anyway, thank you very much, you just saved me $300.

[b00sted n00b]

going to try this tonight! thanks for the link!

[randywalters]

Here's another good write-up that is very popular around here:

http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html

[whonneb]

I wonder if this is my problem.

Mine doesn't work at all. I know that it is getting power because when I turn on the headlights, the buttons light up. There is nothing on the display and no green indicators. Is there a fuse that I need to check?

[wilmington328]

I used the instructions from the link above http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html and it has fixed my climate control computer. I wasn't able to get the same capacitor but got a 4.7uF Electrolytic from Radio Shack and the climate control computer came right back up. I have just done the repair so I don't know how long it will last but Richard from the link above says his has lasted 4 years. Great inexpensive fix!

[paul e]

I used the instructions from the link above http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html and it has fixed my climate control computer. I wasn't able to get the same capacitor but got a 4.7uF Electrolytic from Radio Shack and the climate control computer came right back up. I have just done the repair so I don't know how long it will last but Richard from the link above says his has lasted 4 years. Great inexpensive fix!

Do we use a radial or axial lead capacitor? The pic on the DIY is way fuzzy.
Just curious before I start my repair; is yours still working with the capacitor you used?