Heat became cold

Dylanize · 11-13-2013, 09:24 AM

Hi guys, so this morning I actually used the heat. Worked great.

As I'm driving to work, I noticed I was getting cold...

Checked the vent and cool air was coming out but it was 73 degrees, and not on AUTO setting.

Didn't really mess with it, cause by that time I was at work.

Can anyone weigh in on this? It kinda has been bothering me as I'm sitting at my desk.

Thanks

OH, and yes the little dial was set to RED, so I am not an idiot lol.

iturbo_bmw · 11-13-2013, 11:52 AM

u had it set to 73 degrees and cool air was coming out? that sounds normal to me. If i want the heater i go to 80 degrees. 73 is what i use in the sping/fall and sometimes summer. idk maybe i'm spoiled with cali weather. or maybe the air comes out cool or hot depending on the temperature outside and what you want inside

Tom K. · 11-13-2013, 05:54 PM

As E92-bmw posted, one of the odd things about the BMW CC system is that the temp must be set very high (to maximum in my 128i) in order to get heat from the dash vents when NOT on AUTO. Apparently the reasoning is that most drivers prefer cooler air from the dash vents and warmer air from the foot well vents.

So if you simply want to heat your car, use the AUTO setting (70o works fine for me) and there should be no air from the dash vents - unless you set the vent dial to blue.

Tom

GoRomeo · 11-13-2013, 06:33 PM

Yeah move it to 80+ degrees in order to get heat but if this does not work your water pump is starting to fail my friend... sorry. Lets hope not!

hugus311 · 11-13-2013, 06:41 PM

make sure the center knob below the door lock is set to red not blue

tntracewerks · 11-13-2013, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugus311

make sure the center knob below the door lock is set to red not blue

^1+

Dylanize · 11-14-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *******werks

^1+

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugus311

make sure the center knob below the door lock is set to red not blue

Read the last line of my post... lol

biffman49 · 11-15-2013, 10:49 AM

Just wondering if you were able to find out what the cause of this is - I am having a similar problem (and strangely enough, I also live in Charlotte!).

Similar steps as the OP - dial turned all the way to the red, heat on full blast at 84 degrees, and it's just warm, not as hot as it used to be.

I have a 2009 328i. Want to get this fixed before it gets too cold and I need my heat every day, but I don't want to try 3-4 different fixes, spending loads of money, without actually solving the problem.

Any help is most appreciated!

hugus311 · 11-17-2013, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffman49

Just wondering if you were able to find out what the cause of this is - I am having a similar problem (and strangely enough, I also live in Charlotte!).

Similar steps as the OP - dial turned all the way to the red, heat on full blast at 84 degrees, and it's just warm, not as hot as it used to be.

I have a 2009 328i. Want to get this fixed before it gets too cold and I need my heat every day, but I don't want to try 3-4 different fixes, spending loads of money, without actually solving the problem.

Any help is most appreciated!

go to hidden menu to see your temps as your thermostat might be on its last leg

Bimmertech113 · 11-17-2013, 07:02 AM

Heater cores like to get plugged up too. Sometimes you can blow them out with air. Sometimes they need to be replaced. I can do this if anyone in my area is interested

Frenk · 11-17-2013, 11:20 AM

I dont get it. Whats the point of the blue/red button below dtc ? When i bough the e92 i have been looking why i was getting cold air for weeks. The temp should be enough for car to find out if i want hot air. Not even mentionning the rear vents were also at blue ...

BroImAwesome · 11-17-2013, 11:32 AM

Check the coolant level, If its too low that may be why.. I've had the same problem where your driving and it gets hot then you get to a light and it starts blowing cold air

J38 · 11-17-2013, 11:41 AM

They won't blow full hot from the middle vents anyway, only from defrost and floor vents. Something about ze engineerz knowing that hot air in the face causes people to fall asleep.

biffman49 · 11-17-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugus311

go to hidden menu to see your temps as your thermostat might be on its last leg

Thanks - any idea as to how to do this? I seem to have the idea (possibly from this, or another, BMW message board) that my car (2009, 328i sedan) doesn't tell engine temp?

I would think there ought to be a way to look at it, which would obviously provide a pretty good indicator of whether or not it's the thermostat issue.

biffman49 · 11-17-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmertech113

Heater cores like to get plugged up too. Sometimes you can blow them out with air. Sometimes they need to be replaced. I can do this if anyone in my area is interested

Thanks - this is interesting. Is this easy enough to DIY? I'm not particularly handy, so please keep that in mind when determining if this is easy enough, haha.

biffman49 · 11-17-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J38

They won't blow full hot from the middle vents anyway, only from defrost and floor vents. Something about ze engineerz knowing that hot air in the face causes people to fall asleep.

Understood, but I'm not getting full heat from either the floor vents or the defrost, let alone the middle vents.

Hopefully this can be something that's relatively easy/inexpensive to fix - I'm just concerned about taking it to the shop and spending loads to diagnose/fix, and not have it actually fix my problem.

Dylanize · 11-17-2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J38

They won't blow full hot from the middle vents anyway, only from defrost and floor vents. Something about ze engineerz knowing that hot air in the face causes people to fall asleep.

Interesting... Some one else said something like this. How do you know?

J38 · 11-17-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffman49

Understood, but I'm not getting full heat from either the floor vents or the defrost, let alone the middle vents.

Hopefully this can be something that's relatively easy/inexpensive to fix - I'm just concerned about taking it to the shop and spending loads to diagnose/fix, and not have it actually fix my problem.

I figured this might be the case. Good luck sorting it out, I'll stay tuned for updates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylanize

Interesting... Some one else said something like this. How do you know?

In my previous career I worked in the fixed ops side (i.e. non-sales) of the car business. I have consulted for the local dealer, been to the US e90 launch, have two buddies who are shop foremen at large shops, and numerous friends that are BMW master techs and have met the regional FE numerous times in person. It could have changed in this generation, but both my E90s do this so I suspect BMW is still going with that philosophy.

Bimmertech113 · 11-17-2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffman49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmertech113

Heater cores like to get plugged up too. Sometimes you can blow them out with air. Sometimes they need to be replaced. I can do this if anyone in my area is interested

Thanks - this is interesting. Is this easy enough to DIY? I'm not particularly handy, so please keep that in mind when determining if this is easy enough, haha.

Your not going to be able to replace the heater core yourself. You might be able to pull the heater hoses off the heater core and blow it out with compressed air. Just have to remove a couple covers.

Frenk · 11-17-2013, 04:32 PM

biffman49 · 11-17-2013, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmertech113

Your not going to be able to replace the heater core yourself. You might be able to pull the heater hoses off the heater core and blow it out with compressed air. Just have to remove a couple covers.

Nice one, thanks. I suppose I'll just take it to a good local Indy and see what they have to say, as it's not something I want to risk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenk

Thanks - I don't have iDrive though, so that's not going to work for me. Did see a manual for how to access the hidden menu on my version, but I'm not sure how helpful it will be. I understand you can't access it while the car is moving, and I would need to see the engine temp after it heats up, etc. Oh well.

biffman49 · 11-17-2013, 09:10 PM

Doing some research tonight, it sounds like a low level of coolant can cause the cabin heat to not work as well. So took the coolant cap off to have a look in the tank - there is nothing in there. Literally, no liquid, and the little stick isn't floating or anything.

Can anyone shed some light as to whether or not I should see anything in the coolant tank? I am NOT getting a coolant warning light or anything, so I'm quite confused. Thanks for any help.

11-13-2013, 09:24 AM	#1
Dylanize Captain Dutch Rudder 204 Rep 2,258 Posts Drives: AMG Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (8)	Heat became cold Hi guys, so this morning I actually used the heat. Worked great. As I'm driving to work, I noticed I was getting cold... Checked the vent and cool air was coming out but it was 73 degrees, and not on AUTO setting. Didn't really mess with it, cause by that time I was at work. Can anyone weigh in on this? It kinda has been bothering me as I'm sitting at my desk. Thanks OH, and yes the little dial was set to RED, so I am not an idiot lol. __________________ No more E92 or E82
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11-13-2013, 11:52 AM	#2
iturbo_bmw Major 84 Rep 1,099 Posts Drives: 335i, 530i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	u had it set to 73 degrees and cool air was coming out? that sounds normal to me. If i want the heater i go to 80 degrees. 73 is what i use in the sping/fall and sometimes summer. idk maybe i'm spoiled with cali weather. or maybe the air comes out cool or hot depending on the temperature outside and what you want inside
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11-13-2013, 05:54 PM	#3
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	As E92-bmw posted, one of the odd things about the BMW CC system is that the temp must be set very high (to maximum in my 128i) in order to get heat from the dash vents when NOT on AUTO. Apparently the reasoning is that most drivers prefer cooler air from the dash vents and warmer air from the foot well vents. So if you simply want to heat your car, use the AUTO setting (70o works fine for me) and there should be no air from the dash vents - unless you set the vent dial to blue. Tom
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11-13-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Yeah move it to 80+ degrees in order to get heat but if this does not work your water pump is starting to fail my friend... sorry. Lets hope not!
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11-13-2013, 06:41 PM	#5
hugus311 Titanium silver + Sport + Premium 32 Rep 662 Posts Drives: 2006 330i (E90) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: west covina 626 iTrader: (6)	make sure the center knob below the door lock is set to red not blue
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11-15-2013, 10:49 AM	#8
biffman49 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The intersection of 1st and 1st iTrader: (0)	Just wondering if you were able to find out what the cause of this is - I am having a similar problem (and strangely enough, I also live in Charlotte!). Similar steps as the OP - dial turned all the way to the red, heat on full blast at 84 degrees, and it's just warm, not as hot as it used to be. I have a 2009 328i. Want to get this fixed before it gets too cold and I need my heat every day, but I don't want to try 3-4 different fixes, spending loads of money, without actually solving the problem. Any help is most appreciated!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2013, 07:02 AM	#10
Bimmertech113 Private 2 Rep 68 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	Heater cores like to get plugged up too. Sometimes you can blow them out with air. Sometimes they need to be replaced. I can do this if anyone in my area is interested
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11-17-2013, 11:20 AM	#11
Frenk Captain 33 Rep 655 Posts Drives: e92 328i X-Drive M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Québec iTrader: (0)	I dont get it. Whats the point of the blue/red button below dtc ? When i bough the e92 i have been looking why i was getting cold air for weeks. The temp should be enough for car to find out if i want hot air. Not even mentionning the rear vents were also at blue ...
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11-17-2013, 11:32 AM	#12
BroImAwesome Awesome 9 Rep 64 Posts Drives: E90 323i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Check the coolant level, If its too low that may be why.. I've had the same problem where your driving and it gets hot then you get to a light and it starts blowing cold air __________________ \| Sport Package\| Matte Black Grill \| 6000k Angel Eyes\| 6000k HID Kit\| 35% Tint \| 18' BBS CH-R \| Corner Delete \| M3 Front Bumper \| M3 Fogs \| M3 Rear Lip Spoiler \| Jet Yellow Halogen Fogs \| BMS Power Box \| Injen Short Ram Intake \| Muffler Delete \|
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11-17-2013, 11:41 AM	#13
J38 BMW Addict 11 Rep 424 Posts Drives: '11 X5 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (1)	They won't blow full hot from the middle vents anyway, only from defrost and floor vents. Something about ze engineerz knowing that hot air in the face causes people to fall asleep. __________________ '07 Z4 3.0iS White/Saddle - Sold \| '05 330 ZHP Silver/Grey - Sold \| '06 330i SGM/Black - Sold \| '07 335i Jet Black/Saddle - Sold Volks are SOLD \| '03 330i ZHP Silver/Grey - Sold \| '11 X5 35i Sparkling Bronze - Sold
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11-17-2013, 04:32 PM	#20
Frenk Captain 33 Rep 655 Posts Drives: e92 328i X-Drive M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Québec iTrader: (0)
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11-17-2013, 09:10 PM	#22
biffman49 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The intersection of 1st and 1st iTrader: (0)	Doing some research tonight, it sounds like a low level of coolant can cause the cabin heat to not work as well. So took the coolant cap off to have a look in the tank - there is nothing in there. Literally, no liquid, and the little stick isn't floating or anything. Can anyone shed some light as to whether or not I should see anything in the coolant tank? I am NOT getting a coolant warning light or anything, so I'm quite confused. Thanks for any help.
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