Drivers of BMW automobiles expect a luxury car that functions above the rest and provides its comfort and style. The BMW brand has an enhanced HVAC system for optimal climate control. As summer is quickly approaching, this is not the time for the heating and cooling system to fail in your car. You must have a fully functioning HVAC system, and that includes using your air-conditioner when it is needed most.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. The HVAC blower in your BMW is responsible for pushing air through your vents to the cabin of your vehicle. This would include heat, air-conditioning, and warm air used to defrost your windows. This system is paramount to the comfort of the driver and the passengers in a BMW.
5 Signs Your HVAC Blower is Failing
Here are the top five signs that your HVAC blower in your BMW is failing. If your car exhibits any of these symptoms, you should contact your vehicle technician right away to set an appointment.
Unusual noises occur when the fan or defroster is on: One of the first things you may notice is that your car suddenly makes weird noises when the blower is on. The higher you have your blower, the louder the whirring sound
Little or no airflow: If you are lucky enough to catch this issue early, you may notice it is just not working as well as it used to. The airflow seems off. You may need to turn it up to a higher setting to get the appropriate amount of heat or air-conditioning, and sometimes it is still not enough. You may also notice it is taking your defrosters longer to do their job than before.
Will not run at all speeds: After the airflow is affected and gets worse, you may notice that it will no longer work at certain speeds. Once you turn it up to a higher speed, it just completely turns itself off.
Smoke coming from vents emits a foul smell: If you turn your blowers on and a terrible smell comes from your vents or even smoke pours out, you need service immediately. Pullover at a safe location and call your mechanic to arrange service and repair.
Does not turn on at all: Finally, you may notice it just stopped working. Regardless of what speed you are trying to use, there is no airflow at all. As a result, you can not heat or cool your cabin, and you can not even defrost your windows. You now have complete HVAC blower failure.
Causes of HVAC Blower Failure
There are three primary causes of failure in your HVAC blower:
Blower motor relay malfunction: The blower motor is inside of the HVAC system, and it controls the functions of the blower. If this piece breaks or malfunctions, you will have issues with temperature control in your BMW.
Wear and tear: Depending on the age of your vehicle, wear and tear can be one of the reasons this system is failing. Most car parts need replacement at some point, and your HVAC blower is no different. Many HVAC blowers last the lifetime of a vehicle, but they can break due to specific reasons, like repeated exposure to the elements, extreme hot or cold temperatures, or the parts wearing down over time.
Manufacturer Error: Even though BMW has high standards for their vehicles and the manufacturing process, accidents happen. Sometimes the issue with your HVAC system occurred with a subcontracted part before it even made it to your BMW dealership. There was no way to avoid this problem; you simply purchased the car with a manufacturer error. Typically, this happens due to a faulty part making it through their inspection
Contact Turning Wrenches in Louisville, KY for Assistance
If your BMW is exhibiting any of the symptoms of a failing HVAC blower listed in this article, contact us at Turning Wrenches for assistance. We are a trusted European auto repair center in Louisville, KY, and we proudly serve BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and MINI vehicles in the Louisville area and its surrounding communities.
Since 2013, we have been servicing German luxury automobiles. We are ASA certified, have ASE certified technicians and mechanics, and make customer service our top priority. Call today to make an appointment.
The check engine light is a part of the onboard diagnostics system in your Mercedes. When illuminated, this indicates a problem within your onboard diagnostics system. Your Mercedes may develop an illuminated check engine light for several reasons. Determining the cause on your own may be difficult as many things can affect the onboard diagnostic system. Below we will dive into five common causes of an illuminated check engine light in your Mercedes-Benz.
Loose Gas Cap
The gas cap, also known as a fuel cap, on your Mercedes is a seal that is designed to hold the fuel in your tank and keep out dirt and debris. When your fuel cap is loose, broken, or even missing, it results in a reduction in fuel pressure, allowing fuel vapors to escape. When the fuel cap is not properly sealed, it may result in reduced fuel economy and an increase in emissions.
Failing Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emissions control device designed to reduce toxic gases and pollutants being released in the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. If the catalytic converter within your Mercedes becomes clogged with debris it can impact your vehicle’s fuel economy and overall performance.
Failed Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are made to send a spark through the cylinders, igniting the air-fuel mixture and allowing the engine to turn over and run. Over time, spark plugs may begin to fail with normal wear, resulting in engine misfire, decreased fuel economy, and decreased performance. If your spark plugs fail entirely, your vehicle may stop running altogether.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
An oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen left in the exhaust gas, allowing the electronic control unit to ensure proper combustion within the engine. The oxygen sensor may fail due to prolonged exposure to extremely hot exhaust gases over time. The oxygen sensor fails, it allows too little or too much fuel into the engine. Not enough fuel in the engine may result in complete failure, while too much fuel in the engine will increase the amount of smoke your vehicle emits.
Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine compartment to ensure the correct air-to-fuel ratio is supplied. The sensor begins to fail due to prolonged exposure to dirty air. When it begins to fail, or completely fails, you may begin to notice your engine is misfiring, your overall engine performance deteriorates, and there is a significant reduction in fuel economy.
At Turning Wrenches, we stand by all services and repairs we provide. Because we believe in quality over quantity, we take our time ensuring the job is completed to your satisfaction every time. Our services and repairs are backed by our 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Our friendly mechanics come with decades of experience with European service and repairs. We offer the highest-quality dealer services at a fraction of the price. From the time you drop your vehicle off until the keys are back in your hand, the entire experience is tailored to fit your desired budget and needs.
Turning Wrenches services Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Mini. By limiting the brands we service, we are able to remain proficient on all of the latest diagnostic tools, updated technology, and service recommendations for those brands.
We provide complimentary Wifi while you wait for your vehicle. As we know, not everybody has time to sit and wait at a repair shop, so we can provide a rental vehicle or service such as Uber at a competitive rate.