XSeries-forum

A few weeks ago the heater fan started making a knocking noise, then slowed, then stopped. Weirdly I thought it was snow (the grills were crammed with it near the wipers) so I left it. A couple of hours later I went out to the car and it worked again.

Move on to today and sometime (I had the radio up) the fan was not working. Pushing every button in sight did nothing but I can hear a creak with perhaps things moving....but no fan. Not even the aircon can bring it to life.

I tried swapping the control from the wife's X5 e53 facelift and that fine so that's not the culprit. I had a poke under the engine pulling the filter housing et al but even though I could see to holes there seemed nothing to poke at.

I've heard of a hedgehog but I was under the impression this was pre facelift only?

Any ideas to try to spin the fan without pulling the whole car apart?

The hedgehog is on all e53 models. If you remove it it is possible to get a long screwdriver or similar into the fan blades to see if they move.

[quote="fenj66"]
The hedgehog is on all e53 models. If you remove it it is possible to get a long screwdriver or similar into the fan blades to see if they move.
[/quote]

Really ......where be this hedgehog then....any write ups?

Sods law as I was meany to change the rear pads this weekend

Found this link

http://www.xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.p ... 78.0#p3277


Is it an expensive part?

Oh...and if I pull the radio and or air controls will I be able to see anything to help?

I think the fsr (hedgehog) cost about £85 from BMW. Cheaper ones on fleabay. Have a read of this topic if you've not seen it already.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... 899.0.html

[quote="fenj66"]
I think the fsr (hedgehog) cost about £85 from BMW. Cheaper ones on fleabay. Have a read of this topic if you've not seen it already.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... 899.0.html
[/quote]

This sounds very familiar. My problem is definitely NOT the control panel because I have swapped one between two X5s and they both work in the other one. They light up, the scale bar goes up and down with the button. The scale bar goes to the top on defrost or max and I can hear what seems like diverts moving around.

Like your it makes no difference.....not a peep, not even slow fast whatever....just silence.

As I said earlier a few weeks back I heard some tapping as it span gettting slower and slower. A few hours later it was fine. It may have done the same but with the radio up i may have heard. Regardless the fan is not moving

Regarding your screwdriver spin. Can it be done with the console side panel off and where must one poke....is it obvious?

Thanks...a frozen Mike


EDIT

Is there a BIG fuse perhaps that could have blown and if so where is it?

Mike.
You need to remove the console side panel to remove the hedgehog. The hole left where the hedgehog was is where you stick the screwdriver.
The only fuses I found were in the fuse panel in glove box. I can't remember what numbers but there's an index on fuse panel.

[quote="fenj66"]
Mike.
You need to remove the console side panel to remove the hedgehog. The hole left where the hedgehog was is where you stick the screwdriver.
The only fuses I found were in the fuse panel in glove box. I can't remember what numbers but there's an index on fuse panel.
[/quote]

Ta...I'm going to take the plunge and get a FSR from GSF tomorrow (ECP had non in stock and its a Bank Holiday too so late for ebay)


The pictures I've seen suggest its behind that panel near to and above the foot rest

Must I pull the panel above the pedals to get at it being auto and if so are there many screws? If I could avoid that it would be ace

The plastic panel that surrounds the pedals does need to come out. It's only a few screws tho. And need to unplug the OBD socket and footwell lamp.
Yes. Fsr is up near top of footrest. You should see the multiplug fitted to it.

Well..1 hour later with a new hedgehog and it still doesn't work

Easy to get to...once the stuff is out of the way

Centre console side panel off...1 screw
Lower Under panel to steering...about three or 4 screws...and twist clips....and about 3 plugs
Upper under panel to steering...about 5 or 6 screws along upper an lower edges, one of which requires the a piece of the bonnet pull plastic surround to be slid out  to see...and avoid dropping the screw into the pull cavity....more plugs

Hoorah...well almost...who put that bl@@dy air/floor trumpet duct in the way I thought it was screw into the whole gubbins of air con...but a bit of man handling and it came clean off as it was clip fitted

Still can't see the hedgehog but putting my right hand behind all the aircon gubbins I can feel the wire/plug

Horizontal pinching motion allows plug to be removed
Now as a bonus I recall that the hedgehog can be pulled straight out if the plastic latch on its lower edge is pushed down. Bingo, right hand thumb depressing it with the other finger gripping the plug socket and its loose

Plug new hedgehog in without putting back in place first to test (to be honest I could have done this before I pulled the old one out). Keys in ignition on...................NOTHING

Damn

Multi meter out, 12v on pin 2, think that means fuse is fine
Found 12v ish on another adjacent pin...which I think means that power is coming from the control?

Tried a dead short between pin 2 and the other thick wire.....nothing

Double damn....

Have i missed anything because I can't find an orifice to hand spin the fan?

Garage Wednesday it seems

Well it's working now

NEW FAN......garage and dash out....£ alot....