How to replace Final Stage Resistor

[khanjee75]

Hi Guys,

Can any body tell me or direct me to the step-by-step instructions on how to replace the final stage resistor. I have got 2000 BMW 325i SE.

Thanks in advance,

KhanJee

[325isBaby]

Remove the plastic cover behind the glove box (passenger side) look toward the drivers side close to the bulkhead and it will be there, disconnect the plug, release the clip and pull back gentally (don't break the clips!) it's pretty easy.

[Kulbiker]

Any pics to go with that or a website that shows how? Greatly appreciated....my blower is driving me nuts and I need to get the thing sorted out....I am guessing from most posts its the final stage resistor since the only problem I am having is that the climate control has a mind of its own. Rest everything works hunky dory when that is it comes on. The A/C cools, the heater works...etc etc.

Oh and Khanjee where did you buy the final stage resistor from....? Any info will be appreciated.:

[MJRyan9]

I experienced the same symptoms (blower running at one speed) on my 2001 325i. Searching the web I found an off-beat article about Resetting the FSU:

http://www.refrigerants.dupont.com/S...acs_200506.pdf

See page 5: The Final Stage. I know - hard to believe finding BMW advice from a dupont website, but I tried this (pull Fuse 50 and replace) and it worked! . Apparently the FSU is an electronic speed controller and is powered even when the key is Off; so you need to pull the fuse to reset. A lot less time and $.

As the FSU design is probably similar on other models one might try pulling/replacing the appropriate blower fuse on non-E46s: refer to the fuse list by the fuse panel.

Best of luck,

Mike

[eddieo]

I just opened up beneath the glove compartment and looking for the FSR and took a picture of what I removed but not sure if its the FSR or not. It is orange in color and has about 5 connector pins on it. See attached pictures. Could someone tell me if this is the FSR on a 2000 BMW 328i?

How do I know if it needs replacing?

Thanks
Ed

[E-46er]

You'll know if your A/C intermittently comes on and your condensor is working but no heat or a/c even in the highest setting

[silverstare46]

Hello, Mike. I am a bit confused. Just pull No 50 fuse from the fuse box or is there any fuse attached back or the FSU? It should be 30 amp, right . But what I have for No 50 of the fuse box inside the grabcompartment is 40amp. Plesae advise me .Thanks a lot! Hitoshi I have 2000 323ci 2door

[spke532]

i changed mine today. e46 2001 325i took about an hour. it pretty tight in there but its not hard.

[Peacham]

Hi,

I have a 2000 323I Touring with 187K. Great car and all the stuff that is supposed to go wrong on E-46 has waited 11 years and all those miles. Anyway, I just had the FSU changed and now the blower motor works great, but the A/C does not blow cold.

Coincidence, or is the FSU I had installed bad? I am about to have the A/C purged and re-charged, but after reading this and other forums I am afraid of wasting money. The install was cheap because of the nice folks here and on other sites who have posted step-by-step DIY. I work 14-16 hour days and DIY is but a memory.

Does anyone have a feeling whether this is a faulty FSU or that I should have the A/C serviced? Some places say the FSU only controls the blower motor and others say it controls the A/C as well. Can someone please share their wisdom on this.

I still love the car, but the weather is getting hot and sticky even up in northern VT and I don't have money to burn.

Thank you everyone! Tom

[Jack Dabsy]

Change the "Hedgehog" resistor on the blower !!