JHerrmann91
BMW Climate Control Nightmare: Windows Fog, Heat Fails
Summary of the thread
A 2021 BMW 4 EV owner experienced issues with foggy windows, ineffective heating, and climate control error messages. The suspected cause was a malfunctioning defrost air flap. Another BMW owner shared a similar experience, where the problem was traced to a faulty wiring harness and a defective actuator for the air distribution flap, which were repaired by an EV specialist. The suggested solution was to check the wiring connections and actuators, emphasizing the importance of consulting a specialist familiar with EV climate control systems. The original issue was resolved by addressing a cable connection problem, leading to restored functionality and no further climate control issues.
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4 comment(s)
JHerrmann91 (community.author)
Thanks for sharing that! Really helpful to know about the wiring harness and actuator issue, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Glad you got it sorted out. Would you mind telling me what the final repair cost was? Also curious if you've had any other climate control problems since getting it fixed? Thanks again for the detailed explanation. Definitely going to look for an EV specialist to check mine out.
NadineWheels
Hey there! Happy to give you an update. After getting my BMW i7 checked by the specialist, it turned out to be exactly what I suspected, the defrost air distribution flap was acting up. The mechanic found a dodgy cable connection that was causing all the trouble. Got it fixed for 95 €, which wasn't too bad considering all the hassle it was causing. Since the repair, everything's been working like a charm, no more foggy windows or heating issues. The climate control's been spot-on, and those annoying error messages are history. It's such a relief to have it sorted properly! Honestly, it was worth every penny to get it fixed by someone who knew what they were doing. Haven't had a single problem with the climate control since then. The car feels like new again, and I'm actually enjoying driving without having to constantly worry about the windows fogging up or the heating playing up. If you're still looking for a fix, definitely get that flap mechanism checked out, sounds like you might be dealing with the same thing I was.
JHerrmann91 (community.author)
Thanks for all the details! I actually just got back from having my car checked out. You were totally right, took it to an EV specialist and they found the same issue with the cable connection to the flap. Cost me a bit more at 120 €, but honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed. The repair took about three hours, but the mechanic was super thorough and even showed me what was causing the problem. Turns out some moisture had gotten into the connection, causing all that trouble with the windows and heating. They also cleaned up some corrosion while they were at it. Just drove home and what a difference! No more foggy windows, the heating works perfectly, and those annoying error messages are gone. Really glad I decided to get it checked out instead of putting it off any longer. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with your experience, saved me a lot of headache trying to figure it out on my own!
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BMW
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4
NadineWheels
As a BMW i7 2019 owner, I had nearly identical issues last season. The symptoms were exactly what you're describing, foggy windows, heating problems, and error codes on the climate control display. My issue turned out to be a faulty wiring harness connecting to the climate control module, combined with a defective actuator for the air distribution flap. The connectors had corroded over time. This was actually a more serious problem than it seemed because leaving it unfixed could've led to complete climate control failure. Had it repaired at a certified EV specialist garage. The fix involved replacing the wiring harness and the actuator mechanism. The work took about 4 hours to complete. Since then, the system has been working flawlessly. Considering the similarity of symptoms, I'd suggest having your wiring connections and actuators checked first before replacing any major components. Make sure to find a shop that specializes in EV climate control systems, as they tend to be more complex than traditional vehicles.