New FSR Heating up and failing - Pls Help !!

[Kmg3356]

I replaced the FSR om my 2001 X5 today to solve the fan not running problem . I didnt put it back in its holder under the dash since i wanted to see if it worked. Well it worked on defrost for about 5 minutes then the fan died again . I felt the FSR and it was so hot it burned my hand. I let it cool down and it worked again for the same amount of time. Do you think that the motor is drawing too many amps ? or do i need to put it back under the dash (maybe the fans cools it under there ) ? It is pouring here today in the northeast and i can see out of the windows.
Thanks in advance .. Keith

[Kmg3356]

Since i put the FSR back into it's correct place it has been working fine. When i went to install it i could see the fan blades of the heater fan which i think cools the fins on the FSR . FIXED so far

[HEISING]

The fins are a heatsink for the transistor inside the fsr. Why they call it a Final Stage Resistor is beyond me. The small wire that you see in the harness is the control voltage wire that controls the internal transistor. The internal transistor is attached to the housing to dissipate heat. The heater fan blows air across this heatsink to further cool it. If my unit fails again, I will hollow out the case and design a pwm fet controller that will handle higher current. When and if this happens, I will post pics and a possible schematic.

[Kmg3356]

Thanks for the response Heising.. So far it is still working ..

Keith