On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 23:51:26 GMT, "Mel Z." <mixz1@netscape_dot_net>
wrote:


Surely you can get at the resistor by removing the centre grill? In
fact as long as you can get to the connector you could mount a
replacement in a different location if the mounting screws were a
problem.

I am this coming week going to replace the resistor in my E32 which
uses the same resistor and fan as the E34. by taking off the centre
grill and the centre grill in the bumper for ease of access the total
job should take no more than a few minutes.

Your idea would I suppose work but in the long term I am none too sure
I would be happy with it.. To be perfectly honest change the resistor
and leave the car to work in the way it was designed.

whistler wrote:
Whistler,

I've ordered the resistor and will follow your advice. Meanwhile with
temperature in the 90's I've temporarily jumped the circuit. I understand
that many who do this have fuse 29 blow. Evidently there's a momentary surge
when kicking the fan straight up to high speed. So far, it's not happened
(fingers crossed), and the car is running at the right temperature. I'd like
to hear how your swap went. BTW, on the 92 E34 it's more than popping the
center grill. It looks like the center grill, the lower grill next to the
foglight and maybe even loosening the bumper and sliding it forward a bit.
As I said in the original post, a major PIA. Please post your experience in
changing out your resistor.

Mel

On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 22:07:32 GMT, "Mel Z." <mixz1@netscape_dot_net>
wrote:

snip

Mel

The E32 is similar and I admit I think the centre grill is slightly
easier to remove then the E34s; I took the centre grill out and the
lower centre grill (in the bumper) that took me all of two minutes.
The top mountings of the lower grill were the push pin to expand the
mounting type, if yours are the same use a bit of tape on what you are
using to pull the pin out to protect the plastic.

Had trouble with the mounting screws for the resistor to its bracket
and with the screws from the bracket to the fan housing when I tried
those instead. I would suggest you soak them well with WD40 for a day
or so before you have a go loosening them, and get a well fitting
stubby driver.

I have helped friends with this problem several times and the most
trouble in all cases was the mounting screws (2 of) which go in from
the back of the bracket to secure the resistor., the mounting on the
fan unit that the bracket mounting screws (as distinct from resistor
mounting screws), go into is quite fragile so be careful. I know of
one that actually broke, but not the end of the world as you can make
a small bracket and use one of the fans mounts to secure it to.

I am not using an OEM replacement resistor; the cost is ludicrous in
the extreme!!!!! I have made up my own resistor pack at the cost
of less than £2. I used one of the fan mounts as the location to
secure the new resistor pack in the air-stream.

I cut the wires quite close to the original resistor and soldered the
new connections to them, heat-shrink tubing and the job was complete.
I suppose 5 minutes for the soldering etc and two minutes to replace
the grills. It runs fine and I will see if there are any longevity
issues with my DIY resistor pack but don't expect any.. fingers
crossed!

Total time about 20 mins including a discussion with a neighbour about
some people bungee jumping from a crane at a local pub.


I do not think you will need to loosen the bumper ...anyway I hope not
and good luck


Will