E30 Heater Fan only works on Speed 4

Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:05 am

Hi Guys

First time in the E30, and on the E30 zone in a long time!
On driving her this morning I now notice that the heater fan only works on speed setting 4 and not 1,2 and 3.

I could not find any record on Realoem.com for the car having a sword or a Final Stage Unit...

Is there something else to check?

Thanks so much
BB

Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:49 am

Sounds like your heater motor has packed up mate...easy fix, that can be done from within the glovebox or from near the bulkhead.

HTH

Pal

Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:00 am

It'll be a failed fan motor resistor.

Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:01 am

Hi Pal318is

The fan still works on Speed 4 though with no problems...

I have an E34 that suffered the same problem and it was a Final Stage Resistor. Replaced that and I had all speeds again...I just dont know where or if the E30 has one?

Thanks
BB

Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:04 am

Chris-W wrote:It'll be a failed fan motor resistor.

Hi Chris-W

Where abouts would this be?

Thanks
BB

Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:51 pm

Resistor pack for the fan speed, can be replaced. Up behind the glove compartment, toward the centre of the car i believe.

Chris

Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:02 pm

Here's a pic of it, if it's the 'accessed internally type. There's also another type which is access through the scuttle panel.

Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:12 am

Before you replace the resistor pack, you should check that the fan motor turns freely. If it'd partly seized, the new resistor could have a short life.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:36 pm

Hi All

Thanks for the help

Managed to find the resistor, except that mine was actaully mounted behind the firewall and was attached to the interior fan. Took it off, gave it a GOOD clean with Carb and electrical cleaner, plugged it back in and now all works perfectly...

Thanks so much for the help...

Regards
Rawdon

Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:05 pm

Your iS has either got aircon, or isn't fitted with the original heater box!

Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:36 pm

Hey Brianmoooore

It is a 87 320I and has aircon...would that explain its location? I did not think there was any difference in the models which I why I did not initially make the model known...

Thanks
Rawdon

Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:20 pm

BeemaBoy wrote:Hi Pal318is

This is what threw us! Skimming through the thread, saw 318iS, so assumed that's what the car is!
Always state the model and age when posting tech. queries. There are differences between models that may seem totaly irrelevant, but may have a decisive influence on the diagnosis of the fault.