HVAC, the engineers seriously overthought this

[giaka]

I have a 2009 with rear seat HVAC controls.

Anyway does anyone else think this system was seriously made over complicated for basically no reason as all? For example why are there three or four ways to control the vents? I can use my button on the dash, I can use the iDrive and mess with vent settings (which doesn't really seem to do jack) I can manually mess with the sliders on the vents themselves or I can put it on the HVAC on Auto.

Speaking of Auto, either something is seriously broken with the Auto feature on my E70 or its practically worthless. Example, OAT this morning was around 55f, inside the car was probably 65ish? Cool but not cold, anyway I put the system on Auto and dial in 70 degrees on both front settings (rear is set to use drivers settings) and nothing but cold air comes out for half of my drive to work making it even colder inside. I dial in 75 degrees and still nothing but cold air, ok lets try 80, ahh finally a small bit of warm air from the floorboard area but still cold from the vents. Heck lets crank it up to 85 just for giggles. OK now hot air is flowing from all vent and obviously its way to much for whats needed. Dial it back to 75 and presto, the cold AC air is on again. Is this normal? Is the Auto setting on this car completely worthless? When using manual settings everything seems to work just fine BTW.

[robnitro]

I haven't had luck with auto either... It's like some guy who never worked with hvac programmed it.

[Toothbrush]

Auto doesn't work right for me either, but the Rain Light Sensor under the cover for the rear view mirror needs to be replaced. I am not 100% sure, but I believe the light sensor has an effect on the Auto setting.



Maybe somebody else can confirm.

[absentmathis]

My auto works great. But it’s subject to having the generally correct preferred dash temp set in Idrive. Those days where the temp you need isn’t seasonally predictable is where it struggles little bit.

[Entropy]

I agree. It’s pretty bad.

[Nanniepoo]

Try this:

Originally Posted by Skyline

With the 4 zone system, you can custom tailor the amount of airflow on each side, (not talking about the knobs on the vents here.) You push the "individual" air flow button, (the one under the seat A/C-seat heat button). From there, the driver side can select airflow amounts for windscreen, face vents, and floor vents. The passenger can select just face vents and floor vents. Notice the red/white/blue bars? That's the equivalent of the temperature mix knob in the center vents on older BMWs. The temperature knobs do not fully control face vent temps; only footwell temps and defroster temps. The digital control handles that.

If any of this is news to you, then it may be your problem; otherwise you may have some sort of system issue. Start with a code scan...and not just the A/C codes; scan everything. Parts of the A/C Heat system are controlled by other modules, (like the footwell module.)

If your E70 has all available climate control options, it's a diabolically complicated system; and very tough for mechanics when it goes bad. Frankly, I love the flexibility, but some folks find this system difficult to understand. My wife is just getting it figured out, (it's mostly my car) after two years. But she refuses to read instructions on anything. I read the owners manual on the flight to go collect the car to take it home, so it was easy for me.

I've had zero issues since. Frankly think the HVAC is wonderful. Set it and forget it.

[Toothbrush]

Would be a good idea to use some BMW specific code reader and make sure you don't have something/s for RLS sensor.

[giaka]

Originally Posted by Nanniepoo

Try this:





I've had zero issues since. Frankly think the HVAC is wonderful. Set it and forget it.

Stuck in traffic this morning for an hour (not moving) because when it rains in So Cal people crash. Anyway I messed with a few more settings and I think I found a sweet spot. And yes part of it was going back into the iDrive and fiddling with the vent settings. I also pressed the Auto button and set it on the lowest fan speed. I dialed in 75 (its raining and 59 out) and it seemed to work great.

"If your E70 has all available climate control options, it's a diabolically complicated system"

^ I think I do and yes it is. LOL

Also, my windshield was replaced shortly before I purchased the vehicle and I dont think the rain sensor was re-calibrated. Carly wont do this so I will need to see if I can find a BMW tech to get this done for less than $1000.

[Nanniepoo]

Originally Posted by giaka

Stuck in traffic this morning for an hour (not moving) because when it rains in So Cal people crash. Anyway I messed with a few more settings and I think I found a sweet spot. And yes part of it was going back into the iDrive and fiddling with the vent settings. I also pressed the Auto button and set it on the lowest fan speed. I dialed in 75 (its raining and 59 out) and it seemed to work great.

"If your E70 has all available climate control options, it's a diabolically complicated system"

^ I think I do and yes it is. LOL

Solid. Glad it seems to be working better.

I know it's still morning there but kind of funny it's 83 in MI and only 59 in SoCal. We've had the AC blasting

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[giaka]

Originally Posted by Nanniepoo

Solid. Glad it seems to be working better.

I know it's still morning there but kind of funny it's 83 in MI and only 59 in SoCal. We've had the AC blasting

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

A "memory" post from Facebook popped up this morning from a year ago. It was 101 degrees out. We have not been over 90 yet this year, its been hovering around 65. Not going to complain about rain though.