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View Full Version : heater bowden cable fix TSB #64 02 97


tiFreak
02-25-2012, 02:50 AM
I was trying to find a DIY on this for another member here and just couldn't find one. I thought there was a good one somewhere on here but maybe I'm wrong.

In any case I have access to all of BMWs technical service bulletins and since I already did the work of copying and pasting it and rehosting the images in another thread I might as well post it here too so it can be found easier. Sorry the pics aren't the greatest but it's all I have to work with.



A/C - Unable to Set Temperature at Control Panel

GROUP 64
Heating and Air Conditioning

Bulletin Number
64 02 97

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
May 1997
Product Engineering

SUBJECT:
Temperature Control Bowden Cable Detached from Heater Box

MODEL:
318ti

Situation:
On some 318ti vehicles, the yellow retaining clip of the temperature control cable can be detached from its mounting position on the side of the heater box. This results in the inability to set temperature at the control panel.

Correction:
The cable clip should be reinstalled at the heater box and secured in its location by a 2.9 x 9.5 mm self-tapping screw. A modification of the clip mounting bracket will soon be introduced in series production.

Procedure:
The temperature control cable is located on the passenger side of the heater box Remove glove box, lower trim panel, lower air duct and knee bolster.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916211.gif

Remove caps (1) and 9 screws. Pull out glove box with knee bolster protective panel; disconnect glove box light and light switch connectors.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916212.gif

Remove three 10 mm bolts (1), and remove knee bolster.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916213.gif

Remove lower panel by carefully pulling it out and down. Disconnect light connector.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916214.gif

Remove lower air duct by pushing it down and then pulling to the side.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916215.gif

Reinstall loose cable clip into its mounting position on the heater box (1). Using a 2 mm diameter drill bit, drill a hole through the clip and the wall of the heater box. Hint: Before drilling insert a piece of vacuum hose over the 2 mm drill bit, leaving approximately 10 mm uncovered (2). This way the heater core is protected from being punctured by the drill bit.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916216.gif

Insert a 2.9 x 9.5 mm Phillips head screw (PN 07 77 9 907 707) and secure the clip (1).

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj183/tiFreak/84916217.gif

Cross section drawing of cable clip installation.

Reinstall all removed parts in reverse order.

2Ti
03-05-2012, 03:44 AM
This is great, thanks for posting with all the details. :joy:

Timberwoof
04-01-2012, 06:05 AM
Oh, I wish I had seen this before I came up with pretty much the same solution on my own!

Instead of drilling through the clip and the box, I placed the screw just below the clip. That should hold it just as well. And I didn't hit the heater core! =:o

turbonium
12-14-2012, 03:00 AM
I'm in the middle of repairing my broken cable, but what am I missing. I see the cable. I see it is detached from the heater case, but I don't see the clip that holds the cable to the case......

chrisbec
12-23-2012, 03:14 PM
Thanks, this is one of the things on my to do list which is about a mile long now...

740isport
12-13-2013, 05:31 PM
Glad I found this as it was the problem on mine too. But the tab you're supposed to drill through was broken off, so I used a cable tie for now to secure the bowden cable to the tubular support in the front of the dash. Fingers crossed, it is working until I can remove the front of the dash and replace the cable.

1996 328ti
12-13-2013, 05:52 PM
There is another cable controlling the middle dial.
I noticed it when I removed the radio.

rustbucket
02-08-2014, 03:08 PM
I just had my local independent BMW shop do this repair.The factory cable,part # 64118364407,comes thru with the yellow collar too large.He had to carefully trim it down to fit thru the opening.He ordered it a couple times and same issue.He told the parts department about it but nothing they can do.

mampakiki
12-13-2014, 01:18 AM
I am having trouble figuring out how to re-install the metal clip to the heater box. It seems there is wear and tear. Same reason I am replacing the bowden cable. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

rbush
02-23-2015, 01:28 PM
I have a 97 bmw 318ti with the same problem. cable has come loose from the side of the heater box. but..... I moved the temp control knob and it seems as the cable is not connected to the knob as well as when I move it nothing happens to the cable, even when I pull on the cable end as far as I can go. How do I get to the other side of the cable? Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Thank you guys for all the help. I get help by reading the forum and it has been a huge resource of information.

rbush
02-23-2015, 03:10 PM
ok I got it figured out. I was able to remove the heater control panel and found that the other end of the bowden cable had come off of the heater control switch. I slid it back on and am now going to do the repair as suggested above.

rbush
02-23-2015, 04:17 PM
ok new problem. the clip that holds the cable is broken. does anyone know where to find a replacement?

BlackBMWs
02-24-2015, 04:16 AM
www.getbmwsparts.com or your local dealer. Pelican can get one to you as well. I believe it is PN# 64118368472 Do confirm tho as there is a different one for Canada

Do put a short retaining screw in it to keep it from popping out again. :cool:

rbush
02-24-2015, 05:31 AM
thank you very much for the info. I have the lever tied up as of now as its 10 degrees and my wife has to have some heat to get to work. lol and yes I will put the retaining screw in when I get the replacement clip. thank you again :)

BlackBMWs
02-24-2015, 09:04 AM
Ha! The cable broke in my wife's TI as well. You know I didn't hear the end of it, till I fixed her heater. Not as cold tho as where you are at. :cool:

rbush
02-24-2015, 10:55 AM
LOL ! I know exactly what you mean. My wife had to use my little ford ranger to get back and forth to work till I got this fixed and every day it was like " is my car fixed yet? " Talk about feeling like being under the gun ! anyways all good now. :)

Hotredti
12-09-2019, 01:00 AM
Great......all the photos are gone.

RUBMW
11-30-2023, 06:00 PM
Hi everyone, I´m new on this blog. I own a 98´s TI for 8 years and I´m afraid I´m having the same issue with the bowden cable. No hot air comes out.
I have removed several plastic covers but I´m unable to move the lower air duct down enough so that it can be removed. Is it necessary to take the radio out? and the heater control panel? I don´t have the proper tools for the radio.
Photos could help, but unfortunately they are gone.
Thanks in advance.