For those that can hear the fan and can tell it is cold---The tubes that you see in the second RealOEM link don't really lock together. I don't see how they could come apart when it is assembled but I do know I have to be careful when putting console back together or they fall apart. You don't have to remove the entire rear console to eliminate that as a potential cause.

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X5 4.6 2002 Black Sap, Black interior. 2013 X5M Melbourne Red, Bamboo interior
Dallas