Comments on: BMW Climate Control Failure

By: amer

amer — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:23:07 +0000

another 96 BMW 328i back on the raod
I just wanna say thank you for your posting on the web, the heat in my car is working again, your directions for replacing the capacitor were very eazy and simple.
thanx again man.

By: Ernie Hammons

Ernie Hammons — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:50:04 +0000

I had been quoted a price of $800 from my local BMW Dealer to have the control head replaced on my 97 328i. Found that the part alone was available from Bavarian Motorsports for $300, could be repaired (ad on eBay) for $49, and then found the do-it-yourself instructions. Total cost was $1.19 from Radio Shack for a 47 microfarad capacitor, part #272-1027. Time was about one hour and now everything is working perfectly. Thanks from Louisiana.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:46:25 +0000

Thanks for the help with the fiks
Everything worked like a charm.
There, now you can add Norway to the list as well

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:18:09 +0000

Many kudos to Richard for taking the time and care to show exactly what has to be done. Also Mike.

However, I found that a good cleaning out of the accumulated lint of 117K miles from the fan and sensor more than likely solved the problem altho I did resolder the capacitor connections just to make sure. No new capacitor was required. An electronics expert advised that 95% of the problems he fixes just required a good cleaning.

I recommend trying that first.

'98 328IS in New Jersey

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 13 May 2007 19:17:18 +0000

Hi,

I also followed Richard's guide and it was a great help, saved me lots of time and fixed the problem.

However, a note on the capcitor, u47 means it is a 0.47 uF capacitor, not 47uF, the 'u' takes the place of the decimal point, it's an old naming convention.

As a general rule capacitors bigger than about 1 uF tend to be polarised. This is simply because it's not practical to make large valued non polarised capacitors.

The original capacitor is not polarised so this would seem to back up the argument.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 23:37:50 +0000

Thanks for the fix. We just purchased a 97′ 328i and noticed right away the problem. We found a place on the internet that we could get it repaired for $50 plus shipping both ways. I decided to try the fix and spent only $ 1.19 at the local Radio Shack.
Thanks again,
Jeff - Alabama

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 15:21:10 +0000

i done this fix, work’s fine but after a month, the fan increase button, stops working and the right side temp increase button dont work,it starts working when the unit get’s a bit warm?

By: Dave, Manchester, England

Dave, Manchester, England — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:27:19 +0000

Fantastic result. It took me 1 hour and cost Â£0.41 !!! Garage wanted Â£300.00 !!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:16:15 +0000

Actually I haven't had a problem with the polarity with my install. If I recall correctly, the thing wouldn't even turn on if the polarity was wrong; so it will be pretty clear from the start.
I had to go back and resodder it about 3 times:
a) bad polarity.
b) cold sodder (remember to sodder from the top, not the back of the board).
c) third time's a charm!

Let me know if you run into any troubles.
Mike

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:07:07 +0000

Did you figure out the polarity? I am about to do the same thing on my E36 318.

Thanks,

Ro

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 20:56:14 +0000

Hi Mike,
LIke yourself I am axperiencing the same problem with my BMW. Will swop the capacitor tomorrow as per Richard’s excellent set of instructions. I do however have vital information for Richard. Tantalum caps like the one he fitted are normally polarized. There is a 50 50 change of fitting it the wrong way around. A tantalem fitted the wrong way around will work. But will fail after a month or so!!!
I am in electronics and shall determine the correct fitment polarity of the cap and would love to email Richard so that I can thank him and inform him of the correct procedure of desoldering and replacing the cap. Others would also find this of benefit.
Kind regards, Pine

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 07:04:53 +0000

Cheers! I’m glad this helped you out. Keep me posted if you have any issues.

By: greg kerr

greg kerr — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 06:54:15 +0000

Hey there.What can I say but a huge THANKS.
Thanks for the instructions on the BMW climate control repair.I have just followed the step by step instructions and had the repair done in a little over 3/4 hour.No problems, it all works fine.Now you can add New Zeland to the list