Cost abot $70.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...placement.html

Great forum, and great discussion. I also had the fan stop working entirely. Since final stage resistor packs are a known failure mode for many BMWs (X5, E36, 5-series) I ordered a new one and followed the EXCELLENT directions on this forum (WITH PICTURES!). GREAT writeup!

No go! I plugged in the new resistor pack and it still didn't work.

On a whim, I tried excercising all the buttons on the console. When in A/C mode, it switches to recirculate mode and a clamshell opens up in the fan box. If you have disassembled the glove box, you can see this clamshell opening next to the final stage resistor pack.

Well, there's the fan, plain as day, and it isn't turning. I tried pushing it with my hand, and it was "stuck". I gave it a quarter turn, and VOILA! The fan runs.

I had tried cleaning the HVAC ducts a week earlier to eliminate the "stinky X5" problem, and I suspect that some of the spray I used (Lysol) got sucked into the fan motor and corroded it, causing it to seize. The motor appeared to have some corrosion on it, as best as I could see. I sprayed a bit of WD-40 into the motor, with the vain hope that it might keep the motor spinning for some time. I replaced a blower motor in a 2002 once, and it was a PITA. I can't imagine what it is like in this car.

So, I'll see how long the blower keeps running. Before you replace the motor, you might want to try this, but BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOSE A FINGER! Turn the blower OFF before turning it. If it is "stuck" it may be that humidity, water, or something has corroded the motor.

(By the way, why is there a 12 volt courtesy outlet way up underneath the dashboard?)

BTW, now instead of "stinky X5 smell" I have WD-40 smell. This is still a considerable improvement.

Anyway, I have a brand new resistor pack. Should I sell it on eBay? Most places don't take returns on electrical parts. Or should I keep it as the inevitable spare?

FWIW.

Keep it you'll need it sometime. Outlet for accessories.

OK, I'll hang onto the resistor pack. I wonder what other cars it fits. Looks just like the E36 one. I know what the outlet is FOR, but it seems an ODD location for one - almost underneath the glove box! I've had this car a year and never noticed it before. Handy to have, but why not put it on the console? Oh well, another "X5 thing" I guess. A/C blower working great now, BTW. Glad I didn't have to replace the fan.....

I have been following this thread, and similar ones, and just replaced my FSR using instructions from the site.

Before replacing, the fan would seem to shut off sporatically after driving for a while. Now I get either full fan or nothing. I have to hit [+] on the fan control until it reads about 60% or better and then the fan kicks in Full. As I hit [-] towards 50% it shuts off completely, no in between.

Could I have gotten a bad FSR? or what else could it be? The one I removed was in excellent physical condition, which I guess has no bearing on it being in proper operating condition.

Thanks all for your posts

this problem has hit me also....

the fronts are sometimes working sometimes not...rear console is fine with heat and AC

Fronts are acting up...either low or max or nothing even tho the lights are fine...

I guess i'll get started and see what it up...thanks for the info very usefull