Re: Recently replaced aux fan started sparking... (archive)

and then smoke was visible. Fortunately, I had just come home and was able to douse the smoke with my garden hose. I noticed that the fan would cycle off, then back on again, a couple of times. It has never done this before, usually stays on for several minutes, then shuts off completely. Anyhow, while watching, I heard sparking sounds, like an electrical short, then pretty soon, smoke could be seen coming through the grill. The smell is similar to an electrical short. This is the new fan, which replaced the recalled fan, and it has the new part number 64 54 6 919 051. Anyhow, just wanted to pass the word along that the new fan might be having the same problem as the recalled fan...will be taking the car into the dealer tomorrow to have them check. In the meantime, I have been going out to check the car every few minutes...paranoia!!!
Dan

It happened to me, also. The build date on my '01 X-5 was 8/1/01. The cutoff build date for the fan problem was supposed to be 6/1/01. My vehicle was delivered 8/17/01. At time of delivery, I asked my salesman to check with BMWNA to see if my car had any known issues. He said they ran the VIN, and it came back clean. A few days later, my A/C started blowing hot and cold. Took it in, and sure enough I had a defective aux. cooling fan (made by Siemens, no doubt). The dealer promptly replaced it (even though they said the parts were on back order, and that BMWNA was shipping dealers way too few replacement parts to keep up with the pace of recall notices).

Last Sunday, out shopping with the wife. Got out of the vehicle, and key remote would not operate locks. Had to manually lock car. On way home, A/C went out completely. Got home, and key lock worked again, smelled electric short, and felt tremendous engine heat coming from front grills. Brought car in first thing Monday a.m. (no apptmt.), and dealer promptly (w/in 2 hrs) had my X-5 and me in a loaner (even though the service dept. was completely booked). Picked up my vehicle today. Asked service rep. if first fault replacement part was also a part of the recall (Siemens)--she said no.

To me, this proves that BMWNA has a major breakdown in their Q/A of parts inventory, both in manufacture and in after-sale. It can no longer be blamed on the part vendor. This situation is intolerable for customers, and has left dealers scrambling to retain customer loyalty and do all of BMWNA's damage control.

I am a lawyer, have worked on consumer class actions before, and am seriously considering looking into this further.

As a first-time BMW owner, the thrill of BMW performance (I do love the way the X-5 drives) has been replaced by the frustration, inconvenience and fear (of further problems) of ownership.

I would welcome any thoughts from other owners or from BMWNA Customer Relations that frequent this board.

Jay Brownstein
Atlanta, GA
jaydbrown@aol.com

http://www.b-nlaw.com

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ X5 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.