DIY- E46 Final Stage Resistor w/pics

willThomas · Thu, Jun-29-2006, 03:20:24 AM

I think the problem in the E36 climate control was the control unit and a capacitor on it. I've seen some posts about that and it was a common problem. I don't know that you'll have a problem with your 04 M3. Seems like they would have fixed it by then. Good luck!!

TxnBluDvl · Fri, Sep-29-2006, 03:34:19 AM

I just did this on a 3/01 build 2001 M3. The pictures are accurate and the procedure is completely right.

zshiek · Mon, Oct-02-2006, 06:49:38 PM

great work.. your less lazy then myself. :-)

denzbeanz · Sat, Jan-12-2008, 07:20:29 PM

awsome thanks this sorted out my intermittent fan problem, many thanks

Silver///M · Sat, Jan-12-2008, 07:46:14 PM

Just FYI guys if you don't do the FSR sooner your car might look like this someday.

aram535 · Tue, May-06-2008, 04:27:32 PM

Can anyone tell me or send me a picture of that gold T20 screw? I was putting everything back and it dropped into the abyss of the car innerads never to be found again.

I went to the local bmw shop but they couldn't find a exploded diagram of the section so that we can identify the screw part number.

Thanks.

RADV · Sat, Nov-29-2008, 02:55:07 PM

After searching and reading several bimmer forums I found this! The most complete explanation and pics are really helpful.
But to have the job done on my 2002 E46 was another story. Was really, really, really hard! I was almost to give up couples of times. It took me 2 hours! My body is contorted by now!
But finally I managed to do it and everything works fine!
I really appreciate your help. Thanks a lot!
RADU form Romania

odiedog52 · Mon, Jan-26-2009, 09:07:15 PM

i spent a few hours on this today ... and have clear access to the FSR. But there is something slightly blocking it and i can't pull the FSR all the way out. It says something about getting a piece off in front of the FSR but honestly i can't figure it out.

Any help???

willThomas · Mon, Jan-26-2009, 09:18:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odiedog52

i spent a few hours on this today ... and have clear access to the FSR. But there is something slightly blocking it and i can't pull the FSR all the way out. It says something about getting a piece off in front of the FSR but honestly i can't figure it out.

Any help???

Well, there's a couple of things. Go back and read the procedure closely. There's a vent valve that you have to take out and then there's the wire harness attached to the Final Stage Resistor itself. There's also a small bent metal bar that could provide some interference, but from what I remember, once everything was prepared like in the procedure, it came out pretty easy. Make sure you've taken out all the screws too. If it doesn't seem like it's budging at all, it's probably a screw you forgot to take out. Good luck.

odiedog52 · Thu, Jan-29-2009, 01:58:20 AM

It was the vent valve (or what it mounted to) i'm pretty sure. Got really frustrated and ended up ripping it off ... :/ i didn't think it was important, woops. Luckily this wasn't my M3 and it was the 330. I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to get the thing out of the way.

Thu, Jun-29-2006, 03:20:24 AM	#11
willThomas ///M3 Wi11 Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 42 Posts: 42 Reputation: 0 Location: Carlsbad	I think the problem in the E36 climate control was the control unit and a capacitor on it. I've seen some posts about that and it was a common problem. I don't know that you'll have a problem with your 04 M3. Seems like they would have fixed it by then. Good luck!! __________________ ///M3 Wi11

Sat, Jan-12-2008, 07:46:14 PM	#15
Silver///M ۞Fahad ۞ Join Date: Jul 2003 Age: 31 Posts: 2,527 Reputation: 0 Location: QATAR	Just FYI guys if you don't do the FSR sooner your car might look like this someday. __________________

Tue, May-06-2008, 04:27:32 PM	#16
aram535 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1 Reputation: 0	Lost the T20 screw Can anyone tell me or send me a picture of that gold T20 screw? I was putting everything back and it dropped into the abyss of the car innerads never to be found again. I went to the local bmw shop but they couldn't find a exploded diagram of the section so that we can identify the screw part number. Thanks.

Mon, Jan-26-2009, 09:07:15 PM	#18
odiedog52 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 815 Reputation: 0 Location: Murphys, CA	i spent a few hours on this today ... and have clear access to the FSR. But there is something slightly blocking it and i can't pull the FSR all the way out. It says something about getting a piece off in front of the FSR but honestly i can't figure it out. Any help??? __________________ 2002 TiAG M3 AA Gen 3 Level 2 supercharged with meth injection and nitrous wrecked Best Time: 12.34 @ 115.74 (no nitrous) 469rwhp/321tq (no nitrous)

Thu, Jan-29-2009, 01:58:20 AM	#20
odiedog52 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 815 Reputation: 0 Location: Murphys, CA	It was the vent valve (or what it mounted to) i'm pretty sure. Got really frustrated and ended up ripping it off ... :/ i didn't think it was important, woops. Luckily this wasn't my M3 and it was the 330. I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to get the thing out of the way. __________________ 2002 TiAG M3 AA Gen 3 Level 2 supercharged with meth injection and nitrous wrecked Best Time: 12.34 @ 115.74 (no nitrous) 469rwhp/321tq (no nitrous)

Fri, Sep-29-2006, 03:34:19 AM	#12
TxnBluDvl Too far gone. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 365 Reputation: 0 Location: SF, CA	I just did this on a 3/01 build 2001 M3. The pictures are accurate and the procedure is completely right.

Mon, Oct-02-2006, 06:49:38 PM	#13
zshiek Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 34 Posts: 120 Reputation: 0 Location: fairfax	great work.. your less lazy then myself. :-)

Sat, Jan-12-2008, 07:20:29 PM	#14
denzbeanz Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7 Reputation: 0	awsome thanks this sorted out my intermittent fan problem, many thanks

Sat, Nov-29-2008, 02:55:07 PM	#17
RADV Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Reputation: 0	After searching and reading several bimmer forums I found this! The most complete explanation and pics are really helpful. But to have the job done on my 2002 E46 was another story. Was really, really, really hard! I was almost to give up couples of times. It took me 2 hours! My body is contorted by now! But finally I managed to do it and everything works fine! I really appreciate your help. Thanks a lot! RADU form Romania

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY: E46 M3 Final Stage Unit / Resistor Location	zshiek	Faults, Fixes and DIY	10	Sat, Oct-30-2010 06:00:07 AM
Blower motor or final stage resistor?	mighty-dog	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	2	Mon, Nov-27-2006 11:12:47 PM
Blower Motor Resistor vs Final Stage Unit	bigneil	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	3	Fri, Mar-31-2006 11:23:20 PM
WT heck is the Final Stage Resistor (blower motor) on my 99 M3?!	magas	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	5	Sat, Jun-19-2004 05:01:40 PM
final stage blower resistor install???	punkska20	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	1	Fri, Jul-25-2003 06:46:52 PM