BMW E36 Manual Climate Control Removal

This is a 1992 BMW 318i E36. The same removal procedure works for BMW 325i's and any other mid 90's BMW with manual climate controls. The job is pretty straight forward, as you can see in the video, but of course, if you're working on your own car you take full responsibility for messing it up (which will probably never happen) and it's not my fault if something gets screwed up. Enjoy!

[@tonymark2709]

excellent vid! Just what i was looking for!

[@blazintayzincarchannel2342]

Thank you so much. Couldn't find a video for nothing for months lol. From Florida.

[@josuemundo5253]

Excellent fast video well explained and to the point as it should be, thank you very much 👍🏻

[@phoney36]

I did fix this. It was the ECU control module called the IHKR. Found one on ebay for $40 buck. Unplugged mine and plugged in the new one and all was well. If you're having a fan issue, find the fan relay. It's a known issue in these cars.

[@dillontaylor5738]

This was very helpful

[@cabdolla]

Great video, big help!

[@phoney36]

UPDATE 2-Replace to IHKR control module to fix the problem. Make sure you find one that has the same part number (lots of different ones out there). I got mine off ebay for $40 bucks. Unplugged the old one (3 connections in the back), plug in the new one, and you're good to go. Don't even need tools.

[@yunusemreyuce5366]

thnx. most epic video i ever seen about e36.

[@frankiejayo.1789]

Great help! Thanks

[@user-zi5xb4ku9x]

Спасибо! Вы мне помогли!

[@macikajla]

Thx Man ! You Good man !

[@adanjuarezjr5135]

Ha thanks so much easier than I thought

[@phoney36]

UPDATE-After taking it all apart, I was told to look for broken wires, bad connections, on back of control panel or cracked solder joints on IHKR circuit board that expand/contract with temperature. Everything looked good and clean with no noticeable issues. So... time to keep looking for the cause of my problems. I'll update when a solution is found.

[@phoney36]

It's probably the computer control module I refer to that lives under the sunglasses tray. I picked one up on eBay for about $40 bucks and it fixed all my problems. As for the burning smell... No idea, except I might carry a fire extinguisher with me.

[@shahrukhbakar3248]

phoney36 Pulled the IHKR module out, no burned smell or distressed components or PCB whatsoever. I'll pull out the climate control knobs module next to see if there's a wire break behind that before changing the IHKR itself.

[@dcoy1231]

Do you have a part number or link to the part you’re referring to here? I’m trying to help my son work on his.

[@operapau]

So, did you manage to fix the problem? My fan is working in stops and starts, we don't have any FSU as the automatic control system and don't know where to put my hands in. Thanks!

[@Zakis_wonderful_world]

my future me is gonna thank me, if I just went with my regular: "pshh I'll figure it out", I would have broken it 100%

[@MrPhan93]

did your car had the climate control fail with the defrost,a/c, buttons not working if so how did you fix that????

[@MrCromatuX]

how did u fix the climate control problem?

[@TheCybersaxo]

hi i ave an e36 1994 no trip ckomputer with manual a/c hot air does not work .. i turn the small button ful on heat the fun 3-4 and come out cold air..can u hel me?

[@brianandrews7099]

... and how do you disconnect that final cable? You left me hangin here. Thanks alot!

[@lisandrocalderon734]

Fr I have the same problem

[@MIGBMWLOVER]

did anyone replaced this unit with the digital one?

[@shahrukhbakar3248]

Hi, have you come across a problem with the manual controller where the three buttons are always on, and do not respond to pushing the buttons? There was also a sudden electrical burning smell when this happened. 1993 E36 325i

[@jedrzej5160]

have you solved the problem?

[@rambolet]

10x man :)

[@mikew252]

Omg I luv U 😅

[@69classix54]

On my 1995 M3 the 3 buttons don't light up anymore, the a/c still blows air but not cold. So is it the IHKR that went bad or the board? Can anyone help? Thanks

[@jusmesAFD31]

same exact problem on my 97 320i. fan blows air. No light on the 3 buttons. no cold air. hope somebody can help us

[@matt75hooper]

@@jusmesAFD31 What was the problem ? Thanks

[@matt75hooper]

Any luck ? Same trouble here. Thanks

[@egallardo0294]

Any fix just got this problem, replaced hcv but no luck send like it's not closing all the way and I get semi cool air ​@@matt75hooper

[@matt75hooper]

Your climate control unit fell out like a bad tooth. Mine will not squeeze down & out. Something behind the unit is too close no clearance to wiggle it down & out. Incredibly frustrating.

[@paulelmore8364]

There’s nothing worse than watching a video that makes a job look easy when the reality ends up being a pain in the butt. I wish I had an answer for you. I hope you figure it out.