2000 E46 318i aircon blower issue.

[spikester]

Hey guys

Im new to the forum, and i must say it looks great so far.

Anyway, i have a slight issue. When my car is off, the aircon blower turns on and off intermitedly and over might its killing my battery.

I have taken the blower fuse out and it has "solved" the issue but its not really a fix, seems now i dont have aircon at all cause it has turned off the aircon unit completely.

Does anyone know what caused the issue and how i fix it?

On another issue, i also have no reverse lights, the bulbs are perfect so is it the wiring to the boot lid or could it be the switch on the gearbox has broken(thats if there is a switch i guess).

My car: 2000 E46 318i prefacelift.

 

[Deon Snyman]

Welcome chap, My interior fan justed stopped working, therefore the aircon won't work,also e46 2000 318i auto, took it to auto electrcian, they stripped my dash to hell and gone i believe, to fit a switch of sorts behind the radio console, it then worked, now the bloody thing runs on and off like yours permanently, even when the key is in my pocket. I also now have to take the fuse out, or else it drains the battery overnite. I didn't take it back to them I just remove the fuse, I hope some of members might be able to help us with this issue.:thumbdo:

 

[Inactive]

Near where the drivers left foot is there is a aircon regulator which is also known as a hedge hog because of its spikes. Replace that. It will solve all your issues.
You dont need to strip your dash. They are about R800 IIRC

Looks like this:

 

[abmi0000]

Near where the drivers left foot is there is a aircon regulator which is also known as a hedge hog because of its spikes. Replace that. It will solve all your issues.
You dont need to strip your dash. They are about R800 IIRC

Looks like this:

100% correct. This is the final stage unit but a bit of a b@stard to get to, especially if you don't have the correct tools.

You will have to pull the fuse on the blower if is runs the battery down in the interim

 

[Inactive]

Near where the drivers left foot is there is a aircon regulator which is also known as a hedge hog because of its spikes. Replace that. It will solve all your issues.
You dont need to strip your dash. They are about R800 IIRC

Looks like this:

100% correct. This is the final stage unit but a bit of a b@stard to get to, especially if you don't have the correct tools.

You will have to pull the fuse on the blower if is runs the battery down in the interim

Yes thats what its called....Final stage resistor. When you replace it it helps to be able to bend in places the human body is not designed to bend in.
There are many "how to's" on the net.

 

[XMAX]

I think the problem is a wiring issue.

The final stage resistor may be going. Tt causes erratic fan speeds. But, it should not cause the aircon to switch on automatically even whilst the car is switched off.

The battery draining and fan coming on by itself seems like its a wiring fault. Seems like the car will have to go to a better auto electrician. preferably someone with lots of experience with these cars.

 

[tai88]

lol... Thought my car had a ghost.. when I turn it off and key out, I can hear a very soft grrrrrrrrrrr noise from the dash, might be related, but it has never drained the battery so I'll leave it for now.

 

[SP33DYV]

I think the problem is a wiring issue.

The final stage resistor may be going. Tt causes erratic fan speeds. But, it should not cause the aircon to switch on automatically even whilst the car is switched off.

The battery draining and fan coming on by itself seems like its a wiring fault. Seems like the car will have to go to a better auto electrician. preferably someone with lots of experience with these cars.

I agree 100% with Brucet. Definitely the FSR. It does cause the blower to switch on even if the car is turned of. Good luck in replacing it. It is a real k@k job getting the old one out and the new one in. Not difficult, just k@k.:thumbdo:

 

[Inactive]

I think the problem is a wiring issue.

The final stage resistor may be going. Tt causes erratic fan speeds. But, it should not cause the aircon to switch on automatically even whilst the car is switched off.

The battery draining and fan coming on by itself seems like its a wiring fault. Seems like the car will have to go to a better auto electrician. preferably someone with lots of experience with these cars.

It did on my car (switch on by itself)....i eventually parked it in the garage with the battery disconnected.

---

lol... Thought my car had a ghost.. when I turn it off and key out, I can hear a very soft grrrrrrrrrrr noise from the dash, might be related, but it has never drained the battery so I'll leave it for now.

Thats a different issue. Its meant to do that apparently.