DIY: Replacing the blower resistor for analog climate control - United Bimmer Community

**mullethunter3** · 06-07-2006, 11:39 AM

Please do this at your own risk. I am not responsible if you break anything. End legal mumbo jumbo.

Okay, if you have this kind of climate control:

and it will only work on number 4, it is time to replace your blower resistor. This is not hard at all and it took me about a half hour of wiggling around on the floor boards to accomplish it.

I ordered a new part from Pelican Parts for $22.25 plus shipping. It looks a bit different than the old one, but it works 4 times better.

Okay, the blower resistor is located behind what I call the OBC (the outside temp thing) close to the firewall. The get to the old one, you need to remove only one thing: the panel underneath the steering wheel. This is held on by one clip and two screws. Sounds simple, but it is pinched behind another piece, so you have to wiggle it to get it out of there. (Sorry no pics of that, I was wiggling too much.)

To begin, locate the two screws. The first is right next to the head light switch and the second is underneath on the passenger side of the panel.
This is the first screw:

This is the second:

This was taken after I took the panel off because it was very hard to see the screw hole with it on. Also, I pointed out the location of the blower resistor (BR).

Now, before you start wiggling it off, do not forget about the one clip that holds the passenger side of the panel in. I did, it ripped off, I glued it back on.

Once you wiggle the panel out, you will find that there are two wiring harnesses pluged into a speaker like thing. Unplug those and go about your project. Those go to a speaker that beeps sometimes. I think it is for if you have your lights on and you door open of something. Whatever, it doesn't matter.

I snapped a fuzzy shot of where the blower resistor should be:

It is the white thing.

This is the panel sans car. Here you can see that crazy speaker thing. And some Juicy Juice.

Okay, now just reach up in the dash and plug out the blower resistor, it sits in a little holder so just slide it out. Unclip the wiring harness, replace and slide back in. Simple.

Here's a shot of the crap one vs the new one.

Done. Enjoy your new A/C.

**Dudesky** · 06-07-2006, 12:42 PM

What happens if I use Hi-C instead of Juicy Juice?

j/k, nice writeup

**celsdogg** · 06-07-2006, 01:29 PM

nice job!

**Rooz** · 06-08-2006, 10:34 AM

Keep them coming humm... Amanda, right?

**KickingKing** · 09-01-2006, 05:54 PM

Lok-Tar!

I had the problem that 1,2,3 powed didn't work.
I had CLEANED it with some sort of spray and a lot of s**t came out.. After reinstalling it it worked just fine. So it was $50 of my bill

If it doesn't work u could try cleaning the snuff of it like i did

**jybute** · 09-05-2006, 08:15 PM

Yeah, Yeah.... nice, nice.... whos that hotty in the first pic of the sig?

Id leave my wife for her. HAHAHAHA

jk. sorta. I guess you never know. She could be real mean.

**mullethunter3** · 09-05-2006, 08:22 PM

^^^whatever.
you know you wouldn't.

besides, i'm taken now.

**jybute** · 09-05-2006, 08:33 PM

congrats to both of you. And you're right I probably wouldn't.
But it would be nice to have a DIYselfer at my disposal.
Especially for the bloer problemI have, wich in an e4 is a little different than an e36.

nick_318is · 09-05-2006, 10:53 PM

once again a nice write up.

**dinan540** · 09-05-2006, 10:56 PM

I just replaced this part on my e39. I have pics, but am not sure if I am as ambitious as you to write it up. Good job.

**zakool21** · 12-05-2006, 04:53 PM

Thank you for this writeup. I had my blower 1-3 settings go out and after research, I found that it was the blower resistor pack. I ordered one from ebay, and then went a-searching on how to replace it myself. I stumbled upon your writeup and it had just the info I needed! My only issue was getting the old resistor pack out; there's a clip that you need to push through with a small screwdriver in order to slide out the pack. I actually broke off part of the flange on the original pack trying to yank it out before I realized how to get the clip undone.

Also, it seems like mine might have already been replaced once - the one that came out looked exactly like the one I bought from eBay, and the same as the tutorial writer put in his E36 as a replacement.

**mullethunter3** · 12-05-2006, 06:28 PM

You're welcome. That's why I do these write-ups.
If I remember correctly, mine just slid right out. But it was a long time ago.

Oh, and I'm a girl.

-Amanda

**Dudesky** · 04-14-2007, 10:08 AM

Just got done doing this, thanks again 'Hunter for the excellent instructions

The offending old school style resistor:

**Silvercat** · 07-12-2007, 09:59 AM

Truly excellent posting - did the job in 15 mins. Only difference was my panel had three screws - one at the top on the passenger side covered by a little plastic cover - pretty obvious if it applies. Must say I'm also impressed with Pelican Parts and the US mail - part got here to Finland from the States in less than a week!

**daki77** · 03-11-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zakool21

Thank you for this writeup. I had my blower 1-3 settings go out and after research, I found that it was the blower resistor pack. I ordered one from ebay, and then went a-searching on how to replace it myself. I stumbled upon your writeup and it had just the info I needed! My only issue was getting the old resistor pack out; there's a clip that you need to push through with a small screwdriver in order to slide out the pack. I actually broke off part of the flange on the original pack trying to yank it out before I realized how to get the clip undone.

Also, it seems like mine might have already been replaced once - the one that came out looked exactly like the one I bought from eBay, and the same as the tutorial writer put in his E36 as a replacement.

Can someone help me with this - I'm having the same problem as Zakool21. On which side of the resistor pack is the "clip that you need to push through" located?!