DIY - Final Stage Resistor / Blower Regulator Replacement for E70 3.0SI

[balx5]

Did lots of searching on this and another X5 forum for info regarding my AC issue and came to the conclusion that my Final Stage Unit FSU or what is now called the Blower Regulator Controller has gone bad. I did a FSU change on my 2002 and would have imagined BMW addressed this common issue already.

Here is a short DIY write up to help others who are having the same issue.

Description of issue:
AC on Auto will turn off and only blow out warm air, with fan on full blast. This happened only after a few minutes in the car. Freon is full and all the motors are working.

What you need:
- e70 x5 (my 2007 X5 E70)
- Blower regulator (P#64119265892) $120
RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.0si ELECTRIC PARTS FOR AC UNIT
- Torx Bit T20
- Phillips screw driver

Disclaimer: in no way does reading this post authorize you to do this repair yourself. You should always service your BMW at an authorized BMW Service point. Death and injury may/will result if you undertake this repair.

Step1:
Remove the lower trim instrument panel under the glove compartment, passenger side, like you are accessing the darn fuse box. 3 phillips screw holds the lower trim in place.


Step2:
Remove 2 screws of the air duct to gain access to the blower. T20


Step3:
Drop the blower by releasing 4 more T20 screws. Once the blower unit is released you will see the FSU or blower regulator, pictured in white/grey unit.
* Caution removing the blower unit, as it is tight and will need some wiggling and angling around to remove or else you will break something. *


Step4:
Disconnect 2 plug connections and release 2 more T20 screws.
This is what the unit looks like compared side by side:

Heat sinks.

Re-install in reverse done save your AC.

This is about a 30min job as the removal and re-install of the blower took about 20mins. You have to work upside down on your back in a very awkward and tight position, my back is sore today.
The reliably of the E70 is pretty crappy. Tranny replaced/water pump failed on freeway/valve cover gaskets and a whole slew of seals replaced/Fuel pump relay for starting issues/Alarm unit failed/ 2 wheel bearings replaced/tons of trims replaced/now FSU and I only have 60K mi of gentle kids trekking.

Don't get me wrong I love to wrenching on cars but not feeling confident that I might be stranded in the middle of somewhere with my family, is not a good feeling to have for an ultimate driving machine....

[ART-qitec]

Originally Posted by balx5

Did lots of searching on this and another X5 forum for info regarding my AC issue and came to the conclusion that my Final Stage Unit FSU or what is now called the Blower Regulator Controller has gone bad. I did a FSU change on my 2002 and would have imagined BMW addressed this common issue already.

Here is a short DIY write up to help others who are having the same issue.

Description of issue:
AC on Auto will turn off and only blow out warm air, with fan on full blast. This happened only after a few minutes in the car. Freon is full and all the motors are working.

What you need:
- e70 x5 (my 2007 X5 E70)
- Blower regulator (P#64119265892) $120
RealOEM.com * BMW E70 X5 3.0si ELECTRIC PARTS FOR AC UNIT
- Torx Bit T20
- Phillips screw driver

Disclaimer: in no way does reading this post authorize you to do this repair yourself. You should always service your BMW at an authorized BMW Service point. Death and injury may/will result if you undertake this repair.

Step1:
Remove the lower trim instrument panel under the glove compartment, passenger side, like you are accessing the darn fuse box. 3 phillips screw holds the lower trim in place.


Step2:
Remove 2 screws of the air duct to gain access to the blower. T20


Step3:
Drop the blower by releasing 4 more T20 screws. Once the blower unit is released you will see the FSU or blower regulator, pictured in white/grey unit.
* Caution removing the blower unit, as it is tight and will need some wiggling and angling around to remove or else you will break something. *


Step4:
Disconnect 2 plug connections and release 2 more T20 screws.
This is what the unit looks like compared side by side:

Heat sinks.

Re-install in reverse done save your AC.

This is about a 30min job as the removal and re-install of the blower took about 20mins. You have to work upside down on your back in a very awkward and tight position, my back is sore today.
The reliably of the E70 is pretty crappy. Tranny replaced/water pump failed on freeway/valve cover gaskets and a whole slew of seals replaced/Fuel pump relay for starting issues/Alarm unit failed/ 2 wheel bearings replaced/tons of trims replaced/now FSU and I only have 60K mi of gentle kids trekking.

Don't get me wrong I love to wrenching on cars but not feeling confident that I might be stranded in the middle of somewhere with my family, is not a good feeling to have for an ultimate driving machine....

Very nice DIY! You wouldn't happen to know how to pump R134 into the system do you?

[balx5]

Originally Posted by ART-qitec

Very nice DIY! You wouldn't happen to know how to pump R134 into the system do you?

I never tried pumping my own R134 into any of my cars. I am sure there are simple DIY systems you can get at auto parts store but like most have said from my research, the AC is a closed system and if you are low, there is a leak. Hope that helps.

[ART-qitec]

Originally Posted by balx5

I never tried pumping my own R134 into any of my cars. I am sure there are simple DIY systems you can get at auto parts store but like most have said from my research, the AC is a closed system and if you are low, there is a leak. Hope that helps.

It does, I'm just going to take it in for repair. Thank you very much!

[Sam617]

Just did this!! Can't get the right side of the blower screw to line up and the right side of the blower housing doesn't look to to be flush, is there a trick to it??

[balx5]

Originally Posted by Sam617

Just did this!! Can't get the right side of the blower screw to line up and the right side of the blower housing doesn't look to to be flush, is there a trick to it??

There is no trick, as I had the same issue. You have to get dirty and get under there. Just push it all the way up and flush before proceeding to screw the unit back on.

[nigeyboy]

Just done mine & couldn't have done it without your instructions. Thanks - you're a top man balx5

I did my E53 as well years ago, & I would say the E70'is an easier job.

[churious]

So if my fan just stopped working is it the entire fan motor or the FSR?

[rh71]

Originally Posted by churious

So if my fan just stopped working is it the entire fan motor or the FSR?

bump for this question - my fan doesn't work at all whether heat or AC.

Also, do you need to disconnect the battery (errors, etc.)?

[churious]

Originally Posted by rh71

bump for this question - my fan doesn't work at all whether heat or AC.

Also, do you need to disconnect the battery (errors, etc.)?

Mine ended being the FSU but its cheaper to just buy the entire fan with the FSU attached and replace them both at once which is what I did as my fan had a bit of noise in it anyway. Did not need to disconnect the battery.... and this only took me 35 min tops. Good luck!