If the 50A fuse was blown, would the thick wire going to the fan carry 14V? I guess that precludes the fuse as the reason for the failure.

I'll have my son fire up the car, while I'll be watching the fan and get back to you.

As you understand, I try to be sure that it is the fan that is bad, before I come up with 500$ that the parts guy wants for it, in Ukraine (I don't even want to think of what BMW Greece would want for the fan)

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John Caradimas
2005 X5 3.0lt diesel
Facelift, Sport packet