DIY - Final Stage Resistor / Blower Regulator Replacement for E70 3.0SI

[balx5]

Did lots of searching on this and another X5 forum for info regarding my AC issue and came to the conclusion that my Final Stage Unit FSU or what is now called the Blower Regulator Controller has gone bad. I did a FSU change on my 2002 and would have imagined BMW addressed this common issue already.

Here is a short DIY write up to help others who are having the same issue.

Description of issue:
AC on Auto will turn off and only blow out warm air, with fan on full blast. This happened only after a few minutes in the car. Freon is full and all the motors are working.

What you need:
- e70 x5 (my 2007 X5 E70)
- Blower regulator (P#64119265892) $120
RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.0si ELECTRIC PARTS FOR AC UNIT
- Torx Bit T20
- Phillips screw driver

Disclaimer: in no way does reading this post authorize you to do this repair yourself. You should always service your BMW at an authorized BMW Service point. Death and injury may/will result if you undertake this repair.

Step1:
Remove the lower trim instrument panel under the glove compartment, passenger side, like you are accessing the darn fuse box. 3 phillips screw holds the lower trim in place.


Step2:
Remove 2 screws of the air duct to gain access to the blower. T20


Step3:
Drop the blower by releasing 4 more T20 screws. Once the blower unit is released you will see the FSU or blower regulator, pictured in white/grey unit.
* Caution removing the blower unit, as it is tight and will need some wiggling and angling around to remove or else you will break something. *


Step4:
Disconnect 2 plug connections and release 2 more T20 screws.
This is what the unit looks like compared side by side:

Heat sinks.

Re-install in reverse done save your AC.

This is about a 30min job as the removal and re-install of the blower took about 20mins. You have to work upside down on your back in a very awkward and tight position, my back is sore today.
The reliably of the E70 is pretty crappy. Tranny replaced/water pump failed on freeway/valve cover gaskets and a whole slew of seals replaced/Fuel pump relay for starting issues/Alarm unit failed/ 2 wheel bearings replaced/tons of trims replaced/now FSU and I only have 60K mi of gentle kids trekking.

Don't get me wrong I love to wrenching on cars but not feeling confident that I might be stranded in the middle of somewhere with my family, is not a good feeling to have for an ultimate driving machine....

[ART-qitec]

Originally Posted by balx5

Did lots of searching on this and another X5 forum for info regarding my AC issue and came to the conclusion that my Final Stage Unit FSU or what is now called the Blower Regulator Controller has gone bad. I did a FSU change on my 2002 and would have imagined BMW addressed this common issue already.

Here is a short DIY write up to help others who are having the same issue.

Description of issue:
AC on Auto will turn off and only blow out warm air, with fan on full blast. This happened only after a few minutes in the car. Freon is full and all the motors are working.

What you need:
- e70 x5 (my 2007 X5 E70)
- Blower regulator (P#64119265892) $120
RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.0si ELECTRIC PARTS FOR AC UNIT
- Torx Bit T20
- Phillips screw driver

Disclaimer: in no way does reading this post authorize you to do this repair yourself. You should always service your BMW at an authorized BMW Service point. Death and injury may/will result if you undertake this repair.

Step1:
Remove the lower trim instrument panel under the glove compartment, passenger side, like you are accessing the darn fuse box. 3 phillips screw holds the lower trim in place.


Step2:
Remove 2 screws of the air duct to gain access to the blower. T20


Step3:
Drop the blower by releasing 4 more T20 screws. Once the blower unit is released you will see the FSU or blower regulator, pictured in white/grey unit.
* Caution removing the blower unit, as it is tight and will need some wiggling and angling around to remove or else you will break something. *


Step4:
Disconnect 2 plug connections and release 2 more T20 screws.
This is what the unit looks like compared side by side:

Heat sinks.

Re-install in reverse done save your AC.

This is about a 30min job as the removal and re-install of the blower took about 20mins. You have to work upside down on your back in a very awkward and tight position, my back is sore today.
The reliably of the E70 is pretty crappy. Tranny replaced/water pump failed on freeway/valve cover gaskets and a whole slew of seals replaced/Fuel pump relay for starting issues/Alarm unit failed/ 2 wheel bearings replaced/tons of trims replaced/now FSU and I only have 60K mi of gentle kids trekking.

Don't get me wrong I love to wrenching on cars but not feeling confident that I might be stranded in the middle of somewhere with my family, is not a good feeling to have for an ultimate driving machine....

Very nice DIY! You wouldn't happen to know how to pump R134 into the system do you?

[balx5]

Originally Posted by ART-qitec

Very nice DIY! You wouldn't happen to know how to pump R134 into the system do you?

I never tried pumping my own R134 into any of my cars. I am sure there are simple DIY systems you can get at auto parts store but like most have said from my research, the AC is a closed system and if you are low, there is a leak. Hope that helps.

[ART-qitec]

Originally Posted by balx5

I never tried pumping my own R134 into any of my cars. I am sure there are simple DIY systems you can get at auto parts store but like most have said from my research, the AC is a closed system and if you are low, there is a leak. Hope that helps.

It does, I'm just going to take it in for repair. Thank you very much!

[Sam617]

Just did this!! Can't get the right side of the blower screw to line up and the right side of the blower housing doesn't look to to be flush, is there a trick to it??

[balx5]

Originally Posted by Sam617

Just did this!! Can't get the right side of the blower screw to line up and the right side of the blower housing doesn't look to to be flush, is there a trick to it??

There is no trick, as I had the same issue. You have to get dirty and get under there. Just push it all the way up and flush before proceeding to screw the unit back on.

[kungpao]

fwiw, ECS Tuning has the oem resistor for $101.78 and non oem branded resistors for $89.04 and $74.78

[eurogreek1]

does this problem only occur when the AC is on or does it also do it when the heat is on? My blower will be on blast then suddenly it feels like the air flow stops but the blower sounds like it's on high! Does it sound like the controller?

[Ron07x5]

Originally Posted by eurogreek1

does this problem only occur when the AC is on or does it also do it when the heat is on? My blower will be on blast then suddenly it feels like the air flow stops but the blower sounds like it's on high! Does it sound like the controller?

If you hear the blower motor running hard but get no air then it is likely not the fsu or any controller. my guess would be a broken fan on the motor or ducting isn't opening? Fsu failure would most likely be a slow fan or erratic fan speed. Blower motor failure would mean no spinning motor sound. Fyi my air just stopped and I had no motor sound but the bars on a.c..changed. I got into it and discovered the blower motor bearings where bound up like partly rusted. I used some penetrating oil and hand spun the fan over and over soon it spun reasonably free. Put it back together and it so far it is running.fine. next time it stops like.that I order and replace.the blower. Rmeuropean.com is my parts supplier of choice. Half.price.parts and free.shipping. and I like Art

[eurogreek1]

Anyone?