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.