Hedgehog

[henrym3]

So in theory if I disconnect the a/c/ hvac unit (for safety) unplug the hedgehog and put 8/9v from a torch battery to pin 1 and 5 the the motor should spin. For added safety remove fuse 64 (50 amp)

[X5Sport]

In theory. Depends upon the current drawn by the fan though. It’s a big fuse so the fan may draw a lot! RealOEM doesn’t state the current draw. That fuse is good for 600W.

You can also do a continuity check.

[henrym3]

Looking at the potential replacement fan from FEBI it is 210w so presumably similar wattage to what’s in there and capable of a quick burst of 12v

[henrym3]

Just to update as to what I’ve done so far, as the e46 has the same hedgehog I took it out and bunged it into the X, no joy. I then fitted the old X hedgehog into the e46, works fine as did the one I bought. So hedgehogs ruled out. In my frustration I thumped the top of the dash and uttered some choice words and it started to work. So I assume that tells me it has a dead spot on the slip ring/commutator or the brushes have seen better days. Having said that it’s now working fine so I might just bury my head in the sand and put off taking the dash out and replacing the motor.

[X5-D-Sport]

These Hedge-Hog units are a sodding nuisance.

I have a NEW issue resolution to throw into the mix.........
A month ago I was also having fan issues, & swapped out 3 regulator hedgehogs to no avail, & getting intermittent fan operation now & then.

I found the remedy quite by mistake.... when groping the wiring harness while the ignition was on, & the fan controls were powered ON.

It turns out that the connector socket that plugs into the Hedge-Hog has female pins that can expand & cease to make contact with the Hedge-Hog MALE pins, or intermittent/poor contact.

If it is a poor or light contact, then the connector sockets/pins will heat up & fail due to the heat & burned connector, then you fit another Hedge-Hog & a few days later the whole situation repeats again.
The hotter an electrical contact becomes, the more electrical resistance is generated until the contact gets scorched/burned & fails.

I found that the fix was to very slightly bend the male pins of the hedge-hog module to ensure a good connection in the wired plug connector.

This may not be the fix for every issue with this temperamental device, but may be worth considering.

Regards to All
Grant B

[cooa99]

I think I might have an issue as well with my final stage unit, no fan is working. I have purchased the unit from ebay to fix but have not got round to fixing due to work and not driving the E53 as much now. I did try a few days ago looking at you ube instructions taking off the trim on passenger side only to realise its actually on the driver side

I plan on ferrying a bit of stuff to the recycling centre so my question is can I use the car like that for now until I get round to sorting it out?

Thanks

[sapphireblack]

I understand the car can be driven with the hedgehog inoperable.

Non OE hegehogs are known to be troublesome though. Did you buy a genuine example?

[cooa99]

It is Non OEM I believe for about £13. I just assumed it will be ok considering how many are advertised on ebay.

If it does not work, will the one from ECP for £123 be classified as OEM ?

[sapphireblack]

As best i can recall when i replaced my E53 hedgehog, it was certainly more than £13 but nothing like £123 either. Best talk to a BMW dealer I think.

[cooa99]

I'll Check with BMW.

I'll stick the belay one if first to see if I get lucky

Thanks

[Alan Gunn]

The eBay ones melt.
My sister got one and my nephew fitted it and it did work for about 5 minutes then stopped.
She then bought a used genuine one from eBay and that one is still working 7 years later.

[Themoog2]

I'm having the same agro with mine as well as trans failsafe etc. Could be related but my blower fan has been squeaking for months then started to really groan about 2 months ago. Doesn't run at all now but it's not seized cause I managed to get a stick up through the hedgehog cavity and it turns freely.

[henrym3]

You should try X5-D-Sport method above, you never know it may work.