Manufacturing flaw with Final Stage Resistor?

[FITZUNI]

I had the aftermarket and it lasted 2 months. Now with the OEM 1 week old it's started to make the noise and that is the sign that is going bad.

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

I replaced mine with aftermarket and it seems to be holding up for 5 years now. It's crap shoot.

[SlickGT1]

Ok i find it for you. Here

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...r-fix-diy.html

Do this. Note his last reply in may. FSR still working.

[FITZUNI]

Thanks, I know how replace the frs.. I need to find what cause for the final stage to fail that fast.

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Ok i find it for you. Here

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...r-fix-diy.html

Do this. Note his last reply in may. FSR still working.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by FITZUNI

Thanks, I know how replace the frs.. I need to find what cause for the final stage to fail that fast.

Did I say replace, or did I say how to fix it from breaking? I can't seem to see where I said replace. A little bit of pay attention, and you will understand what I am saying. Click the link and read up. Your welcome.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy12

I just bought one from Deutche Parts USA on Ebay for $40 shipped. I got one from them for my E36 and it works great, been in for over a year.

I had 2 FSRs from Deutche Parts fail in 6 months (they sent a new one when the 1st failed), didn't want to do the job a 3rd time with the douche part, switched to OEM FSR and have had no issues for almost 2 years now. The only thing USA about Deutche Parts is the final location they are shipped to, just made in China crap (lay the 2 side by side and see the difference, DP FSR looks like a shoemaker hobbled it together).

[ronwinney]

Better late than never

I'm a new member and just followed the instructions today from UCrewX5 to replace a faulty FSU on my 2003 X5.

Wow, so easy with the pics, many thanks to "UCrewX5"

It only took me an 1 hour, and I'm not a motor head, just a home handyman that didn't want to pay a dealer $400 +, not including the time involved getting there, and waiting for who knows how long.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by ronwinney

Better late than never

I'm a new member and just followed the instructions today from UCrewX5 to replace a faulty FSU on my 2003 X5.

Wow, so easy with the pics, many thanks to "UCrewX5"

It only took me an 1 hour, and I'm not a motor head, just a home handyman that didn't want to pay a dealer $400 +, not including the time involved getting there, and waiting for who knows how long.

The job can be done in 5 minutes with only the removal of the snap on console side cover, you need to have a good "fingertip feel" and know the shape of the FSR and electrical connector due to the fact that you are working blind. I've done it 3 times without glovebox removal.

[lhordmclain]

Adding my experience:

Last year (8/26/13): I replaced Blower Motor Resistor with an aftermarket part "BEHR". It lasted until May 2014.

* At first, Low noise coming from the vents
* Lost IHKA Max Button Control and Front Defrost
* Intermittent Blower Speed (Behavior: Slowing down)
* Finally, No Air at all

Replaced with Genuine BMW Valeo FSR (Straight from the dealership). So far so good!

It's true... Stick with the OE/OEM for Blower Motor Resistor.

[TiAgX5]

+1

The dealer supplied OEM FSR is still working over 3.5 yrs later. Beats doing the job every few months with the douche FSR.

Seems whenever I think non-OEM is good enough it bites me in the ass.

2 non-OEM FSRs, non-OEM upper rad hose that did not fit (ebay, small hose on top of WP fitting was mis-installed/formed, actually contacted the fan, caught it B4 starting), Gates AC belt from O'Really Auto that was too long and would not tension (bought dealer ContiBelt and compared, the Gates was almost a 1/2" longer!!!).

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by vegasX5

I am curious if you think this could be either bad luck or a serious manufacturing flaw with the final stage resistor in the climate control. I need to replace mine for the the 3rd time in 6 years...

Here's the funny and very peculiar part though. I kept a journal of the repairs I've done to the X5 and when the parts failed or problems started. The FSR has failed every two years literally almost to the day, and in the same time of day!! Check this out

FSR failure #1 July 25, 2006 - 10:15pm
FSR failure #2 July 11, 2008 - 10:50pm
FSR failure #3 July 12, 2010 - 11:20pm

Every single time it's been after 10pm and within 1-2 weeks of it's 2 year mark. I know specifically because it's happened each time when I'm getting back into the X5 after I'm leaving the gym! I honestly laughed about it last night because I was thinking it would fail at any time after a workout. I wasn't laughing this morning when I forgot I had no AC and had a wrinkled suit by the time I got into work (it's about 110 degrees today).

So do I have bad/odd luck? Is it a result of the extreme temperatures here in July? Or is it a serious flaw with the part?

FWIW - the local dealer wants $169 for the part I'll be ordering it from Autohaus AZ for $70 and free shipping - if I can wait a coule of days..

If you brought a Genuine BMW part, there's a 2 years unlimited mileage warranty on the part. You get what you pay for.