[17MSportX3]

2017 X3, noticed this a few weeks ago and finally getting around to it. Weird issue to me, but hot air only blows out of my vents when at the max 84F setting. Turn it to 83, cool air. Not cold like AC, but cool. Turn back to 84F, instant hot. Does this even with dual settings 83/84 with different vents side by side. Any thoughts?

[b1aze]

Are you talking the dash vents only or have you checked the footwell/windshield vents also?

[17MSportX3]

Originally Posted by b1aze

Are you talking the dash vents only or have you checked the footwell/windshield vents also?

Just the dash vents. Footwell and windshield work perfect.

[pungo]

I assume you have the dial on the dash vent set toward the red dot and not the blue?

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by 17MSportX3

Just the dash vents. Footwell and windshield work perfect.

I have read somewhere that BMW intentionally cools the vents directed at the face. When warm air blows on your face it can make people feel more tired. When you crank it to max, they assume you’re trying to really warm the cabin up.

Could be true, could be fake but I wouldn’t put it past the Germans to over-engineer the heat control algorithm

[pungo]

Originally Posted by b1aze

Could be true, could be fake but I wouldn’t put it past the Germans to over-engineer the heat control algorithm

It's not an algorithm, rather a simple adjustment from hot to cool air by simply rotating the dial between the vents from red to blue. They've been doing it this way for decades.

I guess people don't RTFM anymore

[e30lover318i]

I believe bmw calls it “anti drowsiness” or something like that. It’s meant to blow cold air at your face to keep you alert if you feel tired, I’ve used it before in other bmws it works pretty well surprisingly.

[Duck70]

Originally Posted by 17MSportX3

2017 X3, noticed this a few weeks ago and finally getting around to it. Weird issue to me, but hot air only blows out of my vents when at the max 84F setting. Turn it to 83, cool air. Not cold like AC, but cool. Turn back to 84F, instant hot. Does this even with dual settings 83/84 with different vents side by side. Any thoughts?

17MSportX3 I am having the exact same issue, what did you find out?

AC is off, dial is all the to the red, at temp set 83 degrees the face vent is nearly outside temp cold, turn it to 84, its hot.

No variance in temp from 64-83 when the face vents are running. Footwell and windshield vents adjust perfectly and accordingly to the temp that is set on the climate control dials.

It seems to me like there is an issue somewhere with a climate mixer or something?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Duck70

17MSportX3 I am having the exact same issue, what did you find out?

AC is off, dial is all the to the red, at temp set 83 degrees the face vent is nearly outside temp cold, turn it to 84, its hot.

No variance in temp from 64-83 when the face vents are running. Footwell and windshield vents adjust perfectly and accordingly to the temp that is set on the climate control dials.

It seems to me like there is an issue somewhere with a climate mixer or something?

I think you're correct, something is amiss.

Center vent dial modulated air temp just fine by dialing it up or down, air temp follows.

[Duck70]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I think you're correct, something is amiss.

Center vent dial modulated air temp just fine by dialing it up or down, air temp follows.

Yeah its pretty weird. I have had 3 other BMWs and none of them have had any sort of climate control issue. Now with a 2017 this issue pops up

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by Duck70

Yeah its pretty weird. I have had 3 other BMWs and none of them have had any sort of climate control issue. Now with a 2017 this issue pops up

Couple of things to look for:

1) On modern bimmers, which includes a 2017 X3, has electronically controlled blend doors, no longer a cable like in older ones. While this is more “reliable” in practice, diagnosing it is more complicated than the older design. You now have potentiometers and stepper motors.
2) BMW calls this dial “stratification” fancy name for mixing hot and cold air.
3) You either have an electrical or mechanical issue.
4) You’ll need further diagnosis. Bi-directional tool for actuating blend doors/other components of the hvac system. Also to check for errors. ISTA can do this if you’re familiar with it.

My guess: Your potentiometer is bad...it’s within the dial, so you have to replace that switch, easy removal and replace, but this is me guessing as a parts-swapper, diagnosis is still required for what the real issue is.

[Duck70]

Originally Posted by frisbeeguy

Couple of things to look for:

1) On modern bimmers, which includes a 2017 X3, has electronically controlled blend doors, no longer a cable like in older ones. While this is more “reliable” in practice, diagnosing it is more complicated than the older design. You now have potentiometers and stepper motors.
2) BMW calls this dial “stratification” fancy name for mixing hot and cold air.
3) You either have an electrical or mechanical issue.
4) You’ll need further diagnosis. Bi-directional tool for actuating blend doors/other components of the hvac system. Also to check for errors. ISTA can do this if you’re familiar with it.

My guess: Your potentiometer is bad...it’s within the dial, so you have to replace that switch, easy removal and replace, but this is me guessing as a parts-swapper, diagnosis is still required for what the real issue is.

Do you happen to know what the part # is for that on the F25? I tried RealOEM but im not quite sure what part it would be. thanks for your insight

[Awind]

Did anybody get the issue resolved with the center air vent being either hot or cold? I also have the same issue.

[E36M3]

I also have the exact same issue on a 2012 X3 35i. Interested if anyone has found a resolution. ISTA did not report any climate control errors