Ummmm... Okay, so I guess the fuse kills the controls to the climate control?? Or does it just disable the interior fan?

Are you referring to the aux fan in front of the radiator? I don't think it's operation would have anything to do with the fuse that is blowing...

I wonder if there is something that moved about in the cab, when the wife slammed on the brakes, that caused the wires to chafe thru...

I'm gonna go take a look at the connector... I guess it is possible that there is a short in the controller somewhere... You have access to a spare or known good working controller you can swap in and test?

Cheers!!

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2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny)
2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red)
2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II)
2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless)
BMWCCA member (#4745)