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Finding Final Stage (Hedgehog) Resistor

40K views 26 replies 7 participants last post by  TonyW1967 
#1 ·
My Mini Coopers auto climate control has been playing up for months now. The heater and air conditioning works however the fan speed doesn't increase to blow the air into the car.
Having doing a lot of research and speaking to a Mini mechanic I know the final stage resistor is at fault and I now have a replacement. However, I cannot find its location in my car. I've watched a video on someone replacing one and seen a couple photographed step-by-step instructions, but I just can't find it.
If anyone can help I'd be very grateful.
 
#4 ·
Had mine replaced a couple of weeks ago when the fan lost the 1st 2 speeds.
Although It was done by the mechanics at MiniMatt, I was watching where they went as I was confused of its location myself.
So, Drivers side footwell - reach up almost to dash height behind the 'central heating unit block' & its attached by a torx screw somewhere around there.
There seems to be a couple of designs of them, although its called a resistor, the components looked as though they were part of a variable stabilised voltage setup unit.
Sorry for being a tad vague but at least you know the roundabout region to have a feel around now ;)
 
#5 ·
Thank you both for ypur replies, I came across instruction once that showed it in the footwell about level with the climate control, but all i have there is one plug of wires for something else. Will try and look up where Restyle said and see if i have any luck (Hopefully!!)
 
#6 ·
good luck anyway,if bmw had any sense they would have put the resistor in a better position,i had to change my e46 330ci resistor 4 times cos its such a big problem with them,but what a git of a job!!...you need to be harry houdini....and now im just doing my supercharger oil!!!..hahahahahaha.....i cannot believe how much of the car you have to dismantle...just for 6 oz of oil,unbelieveable bmw....bad design indeed..so good luck mr.c/nibbles..enjoy...lol...Rob.
 
#8 ·
Still had no luck, its being a real issue now that its winter and the screen won't de-mist....Don't know what to do now...
Do you mean youve had no luck finding the 'resistor', or that you fou found it but it wasnt at fault?
If the former, why not try reaching under the dash with camera & take a picture of the area to the side of the central speedo on drivers side, & we'll try & point out the 'resistor' holding screw.
 
#9 ·
I cannot locate it. I've looked in the footwell to the left where they normally are and i have a blank bit of plastic and not a space where it should slot in.
I've also heard of it being in the glove compartment, mine is not.
I will try and get a photo ASAP as its getting incredibly annoying with the car steaming up, and having no air come in the car unless its moving.
Thanks for your reply.
 
#11 ·
... On the second you can see the gap where normally the hedgehog would be connected.
Ive just had a look on REALOEM at the resistors location, & it would appear that you are correct in that your 2nd picture shows where the resistor used to be.
So, during sometime in the cars lifetime, we can assume that the resistor failed - & it was looked at, but not replaced.
So all youve got to do now is go to your local freindly MINI dealer armed with the part number shown in the diagram & ask them nicely to fit it for you.
Ta Dah!!
:cool:



 
#15 ·
Just remembered I had the Haynes manual gathering dust on a shelf - & found the heater blower circuit.
According to that, it is an actual resistor bank & not a preset voltage regulator, but anyway, in order just to get something working, you could put a 12 volt feed directly onto the solid red wire (marked Rt in diagram below) that feeds the blower motor, & you should get full fan power output.
At least this would test that the blower motor actually works, & if it does, then you can go about sorting the wiring properly.
Keep us updated on your progress :cool:

 
#17 ·
Had no luck with these steps as to even access the heater motor directly would mean stripping the car as its inaccessible.
Took it to the BMW garage today and they immediately went through these steps of locating the hedgehog - with no luck. They were completely stumped for about 3 hours before someone suggested that as my car is an earlier model, the resistor could be located on the fan motor, meaning its only accessible by removing the dash completely... Which may well be my next step.

At least my car got a wash... an expensive one at that.
 
#20 ·
Heard nothing from BMW at all, not impressed at all as they are the official dealer.
Over the last few days the fan has tried to come back to life with it working almost fully for a couple minutes, but it has died down again and can only just manage a very low speed if nothing at all.
Anyone got any ideas?
 
#23 ·
Mines an August 02 model. With auto-climate control. I've just got 2 speeds. Off and Full on. The steps up make no difference (ie they all run at the same full on speed)

I've also got the blanked out bit where the hedgehog resistor should go.

Bought it 2nd hand, and it's always done it..so no idea if it developed a fault or if someone bodged it just to get the fan going.

But searching online, i do seem to have the version where it's in a different place, as the blanking plate looks OEM to me.
 
#24 ·
Mines an August 02 model. With auto-climate control. I've just got 2 speeds. Off and Full on. The steps up make no difference (ie they all run at the same full on speed)
According to realoem, you need this version of the resistor
>> RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

but unless youve got a local independant mini specialist near you, you're probably just as well to pop into your local dealers & see what they quote to fix
 
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