BMW Heater Control Panel Removal And Intallation Including Diagnosis Tips E46 3 Series DIY

[@awylon]

I have come across your videos just today while trying to look for potential problems with E46 I am going to buy. I must say you're doing a great job filming all these fixes and diagnostics and even though I personally do not fiddle with cars, it's very educating and pretty interesting to watch. Keep it up!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Luis, Unplug the heater control panel and see if the noise goes away. If it does then it is the heater control panel. Now keep in mind there is a small fan in the heater control panel that will run for a few minutes when the vehicle is locked or woken up. This is taking an air temp sample and is normal. The fan is replaceable separate and you may only be hearing the fan.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, As long as the key is off you can just unplug. The unit is not powered with the key off. Also if it is a new unit it may need to be coded by the dealer and will show NC (not coded) in the display. If it is used it should work right away.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello Luis, The noise may be the fan in the IHKA panel. If so then the failure is most likely the heater control panel itself. If it is the cabin fan still blowing air then the failure is usually the final stage.

[@dgenov]

Nice video, it helped me to solve my problem. I did the so called "hard reset" by just unplug and replug the power feed plug. I had a bad hot water valve, replaced it and that did not resolved my problem - climate control mixing hot and cold air on cooling mode. But doing the hard reset, I dont know how and why, magically fixed the problem. Now I have a very nice climate control :)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Usually no heat can be low coolant, or a failing water valve. The heater control panel does control the water valve which controls coolant flow in the heater core but it is very rare to have the IHKA panel be the failure for this.

[@WillLaughingHorse]

Thanks so much.. you really just help me sort that issue... vent control flaps just groaned into life !

[@AskTheCarExperts]

There was a production range on the E46 where even if the heater control panel is switched off it will come on when the vehicle is switch on. On later model E46's (not sure the production range) when the heater is switched off it will remain off. The way to set it to car memory if your vehicle is in the correct production range would be to shut off the heater control panel and then lock the vehicle with the remote. If your vehicle is in the correct range the heater panel will be off.

[@LuXoR1590]

I didnt have front windshield air , just in center , on service they said i need to get analog climate control because it was before digital, i tried that unplug plug and its work now, but rear defrost dont work now, but its good front is more important then rear, ty so much man :)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Your welcome! Thanks for posting this :)

[@bintarana8450]

hi thanks for the prompt reply , when every thing is turned cold the defrost vent and the footwell vent blows hot air and the main blowers blow cold air as well .

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, This is usually due to a low refrigerant charge. I would first have the system drained and refilled with the correct amount. Have them add dye to the system so a leak can be found if the system goes low again.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Interesting. With a 98 you may have an E36 BMW 3 series. Try this, swap the heater control panel out of your friends BMW and see what happens. If it works the same as in his then it is the heater control panel. If it works the same then it is your BMW settings. Not sure if it can be changed. If it does shut off you can try to have the heater control panel re-coded. No guarantee but it may allow it to work the way you want :)

[@dragosn69]

Thank you verry much for your time and effort. :) i just wanted to say that the heating engine gave me signs runing with variable ups and downs turations at every. second until one day stoped and drain my battery. im going to apply your strategy and i will let you know. Thanks again

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Sometimes with warm air from one side of the vent it is a low refrigerant charge but it sounds like you may have a failed stepper motor which controls internal flaps on the heater box.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

The defroster will always default to heat on this BMW. If you only get heat with the AC on and only normal vents on then you need to have the compressor checked along with a refrigerant recharge with dye to check for leaks.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Glad to help. Looking forward to hearing how it goes :)

[@LuisVazquezcalynyc]

ok switch the final stage unit it didn't shut off the buzzing running noise coming from the unit the replacement from the dealer plugged in fine but wouldn't slide into the triangle shaped bay that the old one came from but plugged it in turned it over and everything was just like it was before noise still there with car off and key out I am thinking about to replacing the unit itself but waiting to hear your comments first and ty for taking the time to get back me I know time is precious

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Check to see if your electrical fan is coming on. Most often this type of failure is due to a failing electrical fan. It should be on with AC on.

[@rasselnberg]

Thank you for this video! It made my feet warm again!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello awylon, Thanks for watching and the comment. You would be surprised how much you could do yourself :) But having the knowledge of a failure so you cannot be taken advantage of from a shop is also a good thing to have ;)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Check for power and ground right at the connector for the heater control panel. It could be a wiring issue.

[@goofyguy1987]

Glad to see a vid with this explanation. What if hot air comes from the defrost but only cool comes out the center? Reset or bad panel still applies?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

+Bernie Zuniga Hello Bernie, The first thing that comes to mind would be to check the stratification wheel to make sure it is set to hot and not cold. Default for defrost is always hot but the stratification wheel can greatly effect the temp output from the center vents. I hope this helps. If you need further assistance please contact me via my website www.bmwdiy.com Have a great new year!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

You need to order TIS from ebay and use windows Xp or Xp mode to install on a computer. The TIS online from spaghetti coder was removed due to a request from BMW. Definitely miss the online instructions!

[@TheJamesJunk]

I think you just saved me a lot of money, thank you!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello James, That is great!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

This is not a typical failure. This may be an issue with a low refrigerant charge. Or it could be a failing heater control panel or there is a problem with the air distribution inside the heater box with a failing or failed stepper motor.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, This is usually an internal failure of the final stage. I have a video on how to replace the final stage or FSU. If the heater control is off and the air still blows you will have to replace the final stage which controls the blower output.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

:) Sounds good.

[@robertcommodore1938]

great video. I have the same problem on my E-36 .no air coming out of defroster But when I Put on defrost LOTS Of Air Comes out of center vent and no air comes out on window shield vent ' DEFROST' . so I pulled out the climate control Out AND There It WAS THE Black Wire Was Not Connected AT ALL And that FIXED The Problem. Thank You

[@bintarana8450]

Hi thanks for the video , it's really helpful Now my problem is air conditioner works fine also air is pretty cold as well but the footwell and. Top vent near the windshield blows warm air. So the cabin do not get cold enough .I would be so glad if you can help me out in this situition. Last week I was thinking to sell this car because of this issue , really disappointed as I am not able to rectifyregards swetal

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, Does the top blow warm air even when everything is set to cold and the AC is on. Keep in mind when ever defrost is selected it will always default to warm air at the top vent.

[@caesarlittle130]

Thank you for posting this video, I just recently purchased a 2004 330ci convertible, had a new radio installed and within a week I have no forced air coming from any vents at all. Before I waste any more money on diagnostics I was hoping if you could advise? AC and heat were working perfectly, AC is fully charged and holding refrigerant, but the blower motor seems to not be working...Please help me!! Thank You

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello Davi, Does the fan run by itself even with the heater control panel turned off?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

This is an odd one. The flaps close off different portions. There is the fresh air flap and air stratification. It is unusual to have a problem like this on a BMW that is not due to the heater control panel unless the wiring is not correct. I think some hands on is needed at a shop to find the root cause of this one.

[@betski]

Hi! And thanks for this vid. I recently damaged the LCD on my climate controll, and bought a new one. Can i just unconnect the old one and just connect the new one or do i have to remove any fuse first for safety? or other things to do before unplugging?

[@rayreha194]

Thanks for the video you saved me money

[@AskTheCarExperts]

That is great Ray! Thanks for posting a comment!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

That just may be a failed purge valve. I would start with replacing this unit and clearing the code. I have seen a few fail.

[@Njinto]

Hi There. Thanks for the video. I have an E46 1999 320d. Got home tonight and the heater just won't turn off. Its blowing a gale even when you turn the engine off. Any thoughts on this? Many thanks.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, Did you have air after the radio install?

[@boopunn]

01 BMW X5- I have a new heater control valve and the heat works great on the driver side. I have flushed the heater core to make sure there are no blockages. one of the 2 hoses into the heater cor from the valve does not get very warm and the other is hot. I dont think it is the valve as it was doing the same thing with the old valve. The climate control panel control the opening of the valve i believe, so should I suspect the panel or is there a possibility of a inlet controller that has failed only for the passenger side? When I turn on the heat at any level the temp gauge goes from half to quarter if I am not driving down the road. Does the temp sensor go through the panel before it gets to the dash? Thanks for the help.

[@bredehenriksen8586]

Hello! I only got air only coming out of the center vents. I checked fuses, connection to the heat panel, and Even changed the panel. Nothing realy seem to work. I cant Get deefrost to work, witch is a big problem in Norway. Thanks for help😄

[@bhomjas]

Hi...thnx for video...the fan blower keeps blowing even the engine is off for bmw 532i 2003 model...and the cooling system never works...

[@billyfung9652]

Hi~It may be too late for me to discover this video. I have the similar problem as you described in the video but with opposite blowing vent. When I put the fan in fresh air mode, air come from windshield and foot vent but not center face vent. However, when I put it in circulation mode, air coming from all vent and work normally. I'm wondering what happened.

[@mursare]

Hi I have an E46 that has the same heater control unit but the lights on the back of it (so I can see buttons etc. at night) don't work. Any ideas? I've checked fuses etc. but nothing...Do I need a new part?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Does it work some of the time?

[@MissyB0206]

HI there. im also having hot air from footwells and windshield.the main one blows cold but when i turn off footwells or top middle blows cool not cold.i done the refriegerant change, contol panel. and not im thinking like a flap inside. do the stepper motor change from hot air to the cold air.

[@jonasblom6177]

where can I find the online manual you have in the beginning of the video?

[@LuisVazquezcalynyc]

I have a problem with my unit not turning off after I remove the key I can hear the buzz or running what is either the fan or what you called the "self test" but it stays on and drains my battery currently I am disconnecting my battery at not so it doesn't drain bought new battery and had alternator tested driving me nuts I shut the car off take out key and hear that running and only thing I have ever heard that matches is when ya had the unit remove turned the key off and the same buzzin sound

[@littleseedy]

Hi i have a problem with the heater on my 2001 320d se, the light on the front windsreen demister has changed from green to orange and even when i have everything set to the coolest setting i only get hot air! can you please help?

[@funonlyfun1979]

I have bmw e46 2002 my car heater always on even if I set on cool air but air condition does work .it giving hot and cold air same time .

[@bpinitiatives]

What software is that you were using?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Bryan, The current software I like to use to look up instructions and wiring diagrams is www.newtis.info Hopefully this site will be around for a while as it has repair instructions and wiring diagrams. Please remember to subscribe. Thank you.

[@matbarton9054]

Hi there, i have a heating issue, i changed the hedgehog unit under the dash board about a year ago, since then, i have no heating, i have flushed the cooling system out, both hoses ether side of the thermostat are hot and the blower unit is working correctly...................any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@mertcapkin7263]

are you using ISTA, or is it another program?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Mert, We use ista at work. It would be nice to have it at home. I use the ancel scanner at home

[@mertcapkin7263]

@@AskTheCarExperts which Ancel scanner are you using? I have the BM300.

[@english5050]

Hey I have a 2000 BMW 323I the problem im having is sometimes my A/C goes off all by itself whether the car is driving or just idling. I've checked my freon pressure and its ok I actually vacuum and recharged the system just to be certain however the same thing keep happening again. Has anyone else experienced this same issue?

[@emzodaniels5011]

can I swap out this unit for the more simple dial heater? as this unit in my BMW e46 just doesn't heat up enough in the colder months.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Unfortunately no this cannot be swapped out. If you are getting poor heat this could be a problem with the heater core. Especially if you had any kind of engine over heat or coolant loss. Also there is a cross over pipe under the intake that often gets clogged preventing flow to the heater core.

[@emzodaniels5011]

that's a shame as I've already ordered a replacement part a dial unit. BMW is low on coolant and will try a system flush and core. thanks for your help.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

I hope the flush helps. Make sure to do the flush in both directions. Best wishes!

[@matbarton9054]

It would help if what car i have....316i SE Touring (2000)

[@AskTheCarExperts]

It could be a bad water valve or the heater core has poor flow.

[@dragosn69]

Thank you verry much for your time and effort. :) i just wanted to say that the heating engine gave me signs runing with variable ups and downs turations at every. second until one day stoped and drain my battery. im going to apply your strategy and i will let you know. Thanks again

[@dragosn69]

Thank you verry much for your time and effort. :) i just wanted to say that the heating engine gave me signs runing with variable ups and downs turations at every. second until one day stoped and drain my battery. im going to apply your strategy and i will let you know. Thanks again