Need help with AC problem because car hates me:

[E34 530]

After finally closing the book on my overheating saga and getting a ton of cash for graduation, the car knew something was up because for 1 week I was happy with it. Anyway, the a/c and heat only work on speed 4. Speeds 1,2, and 3 barely pump out any air. (Air is cold and heat is hot though.) I did however notice the the aux. fan would shut off when speed 1 was on, which is not supposed to happen, but I don't think that matters because the heat would still be operational at all speeds, correct?? You can also hear the motor running in speeds 1, 2, and 3, but no air. Any ideas?? Thanks for your help, Andrew

[SnakeyesTx]

There's something like a blower control relay under the dash by the steering column. There ya go...

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...ical/sword.htm

[angrypancake]

22 hours left. grab it.

[E34 530]

22 hours left. grab it.

Wait, but according to the e34.net article, I thought I don't even have the "sword."

[rob101]

microfilter's clogged
especially if you hear the fan working but no air.

[E34 530]

microfilter's clogged
especially if you hear the fan working but no air.

If that was true wouldn't I have no air through any speeds?? Also, the air was working fine one minute, then I realized about 30 seconds later it wasn't. How could it clog in 30 seconds?

[SnakeyesTx]

you either have the sword, or the resistor. My money is on the resistor being a later model like mine. Take the panel off and look in there and see whatcha got before that auction ends!

[1992525iT]

I would replace the micro filter. Its not too difficult to change and doesn't cost much. Definately wouldn't hurt.

[rob101]

If that was true wouldn't I have no air through any speeds?? Also, the air was working fine one minute, then I realized about 30 seconds later it wasn't. How could it clog in 30 seconds?

twas a suggestion.
i put it to you when was the last time you changed it? it could still be the resistor.
either way you'll be going to the same area of the car to look at the resistor, so you'd might as well change the microfilter anyway.

[ScottyWM]

The blower resister can be intermittent - sometimes speeds 1,2,3 will work then stop, then start. Speed 4 always works. It's an easy replacement. On mine (and yours I suspect) it's on the driver's side. I've had to replace the resistor in both my E34 and E36 right around 100 -115K miles.

The microfilter is reached from the passenger side. But yeah, if it hasn't been changed in more than a year - change it - you'll be amazed at all the crap it's trapped and how much better it blows. This is a harder thing to get to than it should be though.

Search for these and you'll find a ton of info on them, especially my rant on microfilter replacement.