Climate Control Fan Speed Not Working Correctly

[Z8911]

The fan speed control knob isn't working properly. Only the highest fan setting works. No other fan speeds work. Please tell me I don't need to replace the entire climate control unit to fix this issue...

[StuM]

Did you ever figure this issue out and get it corrected? I have the same issue, but only intermittently. Thanks,

[Z8911]

We’re pretty sure it’s the resistor for the fan. Very common issue on other models as well. The highest setting for the fan works because it’s a straight shot from the switch to the fan without going through the resistor. Mine was working intermittently as well. Haven’t installed the new resistor as mine is working at the moment and my mechanic has a bunch of my other projects that are more of a priority at the moment.

[boomster]

The symptoms you describe sound very much like a failing Final Stage Resistor, often referred to as a "hedge hog" due to its spikey appearance. These are known to fail quite regularly in contemporaneous E39 and E46 BMW's, so it is highly likely the cause. I replaced one in my son's 2001 330ci a number of years ago, it is a fiddly job up under the dashboard, I have no idea how inaccessible it might be on the Z8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_D-Ki_Kk2k