Replacing the final stage unit/blower motor resistor (E39)

Thanks for the awesome post! I drive a 2003 530I. The blower has been intermittent for about a year and finally quit completely. Ordered the part from AutohausAZ for $70 and now works like new!

i have a 2003 e53...getting the panel off and finding the FSu literally took me 5 minutes..but I've been battling for 30 minutes trying to get the plug off. My fingers hurt from so much squeezing. Wanted to use pliers but i'm afraid i may break the clips on the harness. Any ideas?

petertn....I wouldn't use pliers. As you squeeze, try to jiggle it back and forth. Mine was a little snug at first also, but it should release if you so this.

I have an x5 with a possessed A/C that blows at full speed or not all and still runs when the keys are in the house! Tried to deal with it for a few weeks until it wouldn't
shut off and drained my battery dead. Since I'm 5'2, I was able to get under the glove box and get the damn resistor out in 5 minutes with straight pliers to pull off the plug. Now just waiting for the new one to come from Amazon. Only $45! Hope that solves my problem. Thanks for the post. I'm a girl who has never ever fixed anything on her car before. I can't wait to be able to say I did it myself and saved myself some big bucks.

Thank you so much for your wonderful diagnosis and remedy. Your explanation and pictures were extraordinary. It took me about 20 minutes to change this part out. And, I saved a boat load. All thanks to you.

Thanks Elvis for this DYI post......the pics made it e-z for me to change the FSU......Thanks again.

Thank you for taking the time in being quite descriptful with this issue. I have a 2000 528i and was hesitant taking it to a dealer who probably would've charged much higher than the $75 part and 20 minutes of my time.

Originally Posted by rufryder

was there any trick to it unplugging the thing?

The only additional advice (other than the guts here) that I know of that is not already in this thread is this "fitting guide" (I guess that's a DIY in British-speak).
E39 5 Series Air Con Resistor (Hedgehog) Illustrated Fitting Guide

I want to thank Elvis for his detailed DIY I lost a/c power on Saturday, read the post, got the part at BMW today and installed it. I saved myself alot of $$$$$ thanks again

to elvis 530i, thank you for the info. i had a friend replace my resistor that I paid 90 dollars for and cold and freezing ac.

Great post - helped me say $100s I'm sure. Thanks. Truly only takes 10 minutes or less to complete.

Thanks Elvis and the forums. Just completed the FSU switch. Half hour only because was frustrated after first ten minutes of replacing the unit. Took half hour break and went back after a beer. Another five minutes and click just went into place. I think it helps if you fit the upper right corner first then the lower left will snap in, at least for me. $60 bucks for the BEHR unit and 30 minutes. Great! Thanks Again.

I was sure e39's computer was going out. Or at the very least I was going to have to spent thousands on climate control repairs. I replaced the FSU today with the help of this thread, and problems solved. A total of $60 for the fsu and $170 for a new battery. Not bad seeing how I expected to pay thousands. Thanks for the help!

Thank You Elvis! Followed your directions to the T and the unit was replaced. The plug on mine was very tight. Thought i'd never get it out but took my time and just jiggled it from left to right until it finally came out. I considered for a second using small pliers but thought better (that will end up a sad story since the units connector is thin plastic) I just kept at it till it finally came off. QUESTION: I replaced the unit with one that is not oem. Has anyone replaced the unit and received one that after a few weeks went south on them. My original problem was the a/c stopped completely after a few episodes of the unit stop/start to work. After replacing the unit and all being great(a/c felt as good as new) 2 weeks into the new part the unit went on full blast and would not turn off even when the car was off! Just wondering if a got a bum part or if the concensus is I really should use oem? Thanks for any info...This is a great link and I appreciate all the help!

Great instructions and pics for replacing the FSU. It seems the engineers couldn't have put it in a tighter space if they had tried. As a result your guidance on not forcing anything is right on the mark. Once I was able to get access things worked like a charm. Was glad to get the A/C back as it was a 90+ degree week.

Thanks,
Merrick

This is a great and helpful thread. I just had thei same problem on my 95 Ford Tarus and my 2003 Dodge Caravan. Now my 525i blower has a mind of its own. The blower speed goes from full on nomatter what the setting to the control works just fine. I was beginning to think that an automatic up/down regulator was built into the control. You know, when the temperature got to the right setting it would automatically reduce the blower speed.... Based on what the thread indicates, i do not believe it is designed that way. I am curious if anyone else had one that randomly went up and down in speed.

Help......2002 530I,,,,no screen on climate control unit.....followed Elvis's post to replace FSU (great help) BUT still no climate control unit at all. Just a black screen. ANY IDEAS??????? All fuses look good. Blower still runs with key in hand.

Awesome thread. Climate control went kaput a little over a week ago. Thought I was looking at a new blower motor or something. Found this thread, ordered the FSU, and installed it. Problem solved. Follow Elvis’ instructions and the other useful hints in this thread and you will be golden. My plug was very stubborn (it was the original) and the whole process probably took me about 2 hours. My right bicep and right–hand thumb are both sore. As is my left wrist. My right index finger is even sorer (and tingles when the hot water hits it in the shower), but the satisfaction of having done it myself outweighs the aches.

Good luck, firstdrivingmac. Too bad the FSU swap did not solve your problem.

I have a 2002 BMW 325i and the blower motor surges. It sounds like the car is alive. Is this also the final state unit??? The blower comes on and off as its set, but it never blows a constant force.

Wow this was easy!!! Bought from autohausaz.com 70 bucks and everything else seemed well priced. Thanks for putting together the DIY.

Originally Posted by Elvis530i

If you have it set on auto, I think so.

How can I tell that it's on auto. I turn my ac off and it just keeps turning on sometimes. I have to hit the off button and and set the thermostat and sometimes it still turns on.

Elvis- I am new to this forum. I drive a 2000 528i Sport. My battery was draining periodically and the blower motor was erratic at times. I didn't tie the two until I read this post. I picked up the blower motor resistor yesterday and installed it in 45 minutes. Thank you! This was very helpful.

I had a hard time moving around on the floor so used my iphone w/flash to take pictures of the part and connector. I then was able to change the part pretty easily from above.

Originally Posted by rydog07

used my iphone w/flash to take pictures of the part and connector. I then was able to change the part pretty easily from above.

Dunno if this was linked before ... but I just ran into this pictorial DIY for replacing the FSU which uses novel techniques ... (maybe that is why it was so hard for me to get my FSR unclipped).

Thanks for the great diy it made my life real easy, at 60 years young and lots of Arthritis this job could have gone ugly in a hurry , can't say it enough thank's again .

I just paid my mechanic US 300 to find the problem and fix it. My battery died two weekends ago. Changed the battery and the new one died too. Had to tow the car to the shop as it was during the working week. No I know