As a BMW brand owner, you expect your vehicle to serve you with all of today’s modern automotive conveniences, including a properly functioning HVAC. Freezing out during winter or being roasted inside your BMW in summer because of a failed HVAC blower is the last thing that should come to your mind. BMW has superior standards for their vehicles but they are not infallible to error during manufacturing and a unit could come out of the line already defunct.
HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Its function is to push heat and air conditioning through the vents to the cabin. It also pushes heat to the cabin to defrost the windows, without which your windows will fog up from the heat in your breath, limiting the driver’s visibility. This could pose a significant risk to the driver and other road users.
Indications of HVAC Blower Failure
Like all other parts of a vehicle, when HVAC starts to fail, you will experience some symptoms. The following are some of the notable symptoms that will manifest when the HVAC blower in your BMW fails:
- Unusual noises when the fan is on: When you hear popping or slapping noises coming from the right side of the vent, then likely it’s an object that was sucked into the vent and is hitting against the vent.
- Little or No Airflow: Experiencing weak airflow or completely no airflow from the vents is one of the earliest signs that your HVAC is failing. Sometimes, you will be forced to turn the blower into a higher setting to get the normal airflow you are accustomed to. You also notice that your defrosters could not be working as well.
- Smoke From the Vents: White, odorless condensation coming out of the air vents should not worry you. Cold, dry air coming in contact with warmer, moister air near the air conditioner causes it. However, if smoke comes out of the vents with an odor, then you need to turn off the blowers right away, roll down your windows, and stop the vehicle. Get out and call for help, as the smoke or fumes can harm you. Have your car towed to our certified mechanics.
- Runs Only on a Single Speed: When this happens, there are chances that the fan switch might be at fault. But most likely it is the blower motor resistor. When this resistor fails, usually the highest fan speed is the one that remains working. This is because it fundamentally bypasses the resistor and gets maximum voltage.
Causes of a Blower Failure
There are two major causes of HVAC blower failure in BMW’s and we explore them below:
- Aging with Wear and Tear: Some HVAC blower problems arise from normal vehicle wear and tear as the vehicle accumulates mileage. Through consistent use and exposure to elements, parts wear down and break. HVAC blowers are meant to last for the entire lifespan of the vehicle, but depending on the severity of the climatic conditions, they are prone to break.
- Malfunctioning Relay Components: BMW’s HVAC blower is made up of several technical parts that are susceptible to fail hence leading to the entire system failing. It can cause failure in your whole blower system. In most cases, a burned-out blower motor or a short in electrical wiring could be the issue.
If your BMW is experiencing HVAC problems, look no further than Manfred’s Import Auto. We proudly serve clients in and around Barrington, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Cary, IL.
We offer expert services for Audi, BMW, Ferrari, 
Lamborghini, Land Rover, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo and Volkswagen models. We have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality auto repair and auto repair services to import motor car owners since 1986. Our highly-skilled technicians are complemented with world-class tools and technology to ensure you get the best service. We take pride in our state-of-the-art machinery that is run with high-tech automation systems while delivering convenience and luxury for our clients.
You can reach us at 847-462-2100 or stop by to speak with us. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for your convenience with Saturday by appointments only. Call us today!
Recent Comments