Floor setting heat-weak flow

[babyduke]

2005 X5 3.0i

Winter started early here in Chicago and when I turn on the heat to floor setting, hot air flow is very weak even at high settings. There's nothing blocking and it's been like that for as long as I remember. I had taken it to the dealer many years ago and was told that this is normal as the vent is pretty deep under.

Is anyone else having this issue?

[upallnight]

Manual or Automatic control?

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...this is very important info to give since there's 2 different types of control modules. The auto (all digital) IHKA uses electronic stepper motors to control the air flaps...and the manual IHKR uses bowden cables to operate the defrost/dash/floor air flaps.

If you have the IHKR and the floor selection is weak...you may have a loose bowden cable...which you can easily fix by pulling the IHKR forward and checking the green bowden cable on the back where it connects to the IHKR

IHKA




IHKR

[babyduke]

I had it on auto setting. I'll try the manual mode.

FYI, only the floor vent flow is weak. All other vents are fine.

[LAWLence]

I have the same issue... my upper body is nice and toasty while my feet are as cold as they are outside in the snow!

[babyduke]

According to the dealer, it's the way designed, vent being way down there and there's really no remedy.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by LAWLence

I have the same issue... my upper body is nice and toasty while my feet are as cold as they are outside in the snow!

You're distributing the hot air between the upper part of the car and lower part of the car. Try directing all the air to the footwells, in other word turn off the air flow to the defroster and dash vents.

[babyduke]

Mine's IHKA design. Does that mean I have not control? Arctic weather's back here in Chicago and floor setting (fresh or recirc) just doesn't work well.

I'm surprised to see no one else complaining about this.

[upallnight]

I have the IHKR and I get good heat to my foot when it is selected to footwell. Perhaps if you only use the footwell setting on the IHKA control you can get more hot air down there instead of the hot air being distributed to the vent or defroster.

[babyduke]

As Qs7 explained, IHKR can be controlled but mine's IHKA. Even if I full crank it at floor only, I feel very little heat.