"96 E36 328i (A) - some problems

[Fr34k11]

Hi all, new to the forums here

My climate control unit (if that is what it's called) is on the frits again.
What will be my best option here? Replace it, get it fixed, can I do it myself?

Then my headlights don't come on any more, the high beams work fine. The computer isn't telling me to check the lamps. And I did check them, they are fine. Someone suggested the relays, now I’m not sure if i checked the right stuff, but in the same place you find your fuses (yes i check those as well ) there are these larger block thingies, I managed to find the one that goes click when i turn on the high beams (so I’m guessing it works) and swapped it with the one I think is supposed to control the low beams. Same result, the high beams work but no low beams. Question is, are those the relays that I tested? Then if it isn't the relays what could it be? The switch itself? but then which switch, the round one on the right side or the one in the steering column?

That is all for now and thanks in advance.

 

[P1000]

If the relay goes click when you switch them on (and taking into account you swapped them to test), then either you have a blown fuse, or it is a wiring problem. Time to take out the multimeter and start searching.

 

[msm]

My climate control unit (if that is what it's called) is on the frits again.
What will be my best option here? Replace it, get it fixed, can I do it myself?

What exactly does it do?

Are the pixels dying? Is the fan speed erratic? Is the entire unit just dead?

 

[Hellas]

The live feed to the supposedly faulty relay could be the problem. Like P1000 said, check the wiring with a test lamp or multimeter beginning at the battery. You would have to open up some dash to check the switches, but see how far you get by testing all the 'open' wires.

Though I do think the switch might be part of the problem.

 

[Fr34k11]

The relay does not go click on the low beams... it does on the high beams, after the swop the same happens. I'm pretty sure it isn't the relay... I'm also guessing that those blocks are the relays then
As for the multimeter... it is clear from my qustions I do not know much about this hehe.

---

My climate control unit (if that is what it's called) is on the frits again.
What will be my best option here? Replace it, get it fixed, can I do it myself?

What exactly does it do?

Are the pixels dying? Is the fan speed erratic? Is the entire unit just dead?

Yeah it is erratic, it goes on and off by itself, then switches on the aircon, or the dam heater! sometimes it goes dead completely. Oh and it doesn't matter if I press anything nothing happens. Then yesterday I could press buttons it shows that fanspeed is increasing and decreasing but nothing is happening. I just hope the fan didn't give in.

 

[Taffs]

I have the exact same issue with my climate control unit, its intermittent. When its switched on, it sometimes goes dim the lights but triggers the aircon for some reason and then it gets extremely cold, the blades on the vents gets iced up! That's how cold it gets. I even saw Nitrogen gas coming out of the vents..would appreciate some advice on this.

 

[Fr34k11]

I have the exact same issue with my climate control unit, its intermittent. When its switched on, it sometimes goes dim the lights but triggers the aircon for some reason and then it gets extremely cold, the blades on the vents gets iced up! That's how cold it gets. I even saw Nitrogen gas coming out of the vents..would appreciate some advice on this.

Yep that is exactly what the same problem.
I know you can get it fixed, I'm just trying to get some opinions here. The last quote I got was R650.

 

[Diablo Jnr]

Had the same problem on my E36, bought a second hand one for R800. been working fine for the last 3 years

 

[Gizmo]

I have the exact same issue with my climate control unit, its intermittent. When its switched on, it sometimes goes dim the lights but triggers the aircon for some reason and then it gets extremely cold, the blades on the vents gets iced up! That's how cold it gets. I even saw Nitrogen gas coming out of the vents..would appreciate some advice on this.

I fix e36 digital climate control units for R200, drop me a PM. BTW its not nitrogen gas coming out, its condensation ie water vapour.

 

[Taffs]

I have the exact same issue with my climate control unit, its intermittent. When its switched on, it sometimes goes dim the lights but triggers the aircon for some reason and then it gets extremely cold, the blades on the vents gets iced up! That's how cold it gets. I even saw Nitrogen gas coming out of the vents..would appreciate some advice on this.

I fix e36 digital climate control units for R200, drop me a PM. BTW its not nitrogen gas coming out, its condensation ie water vapour.

Lol, pardon my ignorance Gizmo Im still learning. Will pm you shortly.

 

[Gizmo]

I have the exact same issue with my climate control unit, its intermittent. When its switched on, it sometimes goes dim the lights but triggers the aircon for some reason and then it gets extremely cold, the blades on the vents gets iced up! That's how cold it gets. I even saw Nitrogen gas coming out of the vents..would appreciate some advice on this.

Yep that is exactly what the same problem.
I know you can get it fixed, I'm just trying to get some opinions here. The last quote I got was R650.

Will fix yours too, pm me.

 

[Fr34k11]

Thanks Gizmo dropped you a PM.