by Chris Limantour | Jun 17, 2022 | BMW Repair
HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, and it is responsible for regulating the temperature in the cabin of your BMW. Apart from providing air conditioning or heating, it also helps defrost the windshield for clearer vision.
If the system is not adequately maintained and serviced, it can develop problems. Depending on the time of the year it fails, your driving experience can become unpleasant and frustrating. Knowing the symptoms to look for will help save you from the brutal summer heat or freezing winter cold. Let’s dive deeper into how to recognize a failing HVAC system, its causes, and how to solve the problem.
Symptoms of HVAC Failure in your BMW
One or more of the following signs may indicate that your vehicle’s HVAC system is failing.
- Little or No Airflow: One of the first indicators is that the airflow becomes significantly lower than expected. You may notice that you need to increase the speed of your blower to achieve the same comfort level previously. This is one of the first indicators of the problem, and you may also discover that your defrosters are not operating properly.
- Unusual noises when the fan is on: When the fan is turned on, you may hear strange noise coming from inside the vent. You may notice popping or slapping This is usually the result of an object being sucked in the vent. You may also hear a spinning noise that gets louder as the heating and cooling settings are increased. You may be able to dislodge a foreign object that you see, but if the vent is blocked further down the system, it will require a professional to inspect it.
- Runs at a single speed: If the problem persists for a long time, you may lose the ability to change the settings. It may be difficult to switch it up to the highest setting. Sometimes, the blower will not work at all, even when you turn up the setting to try to get more cool/warm air to blow out.
- Inefficient air temperature exiting vents: It’s common for your air conditioner to take a few moments to cool down when you turn it on, although this usually requires less time in a BMW car due to its strong efficiency. If you observe that the air never cools enough, it’s possible that you have a Freon leak. This can be replaced at a shop for you.
Common Causes of HVAC Blower Failure
Your BMW’s HVAC blower can fail for a variety of reasons.
- Blower Motor Relay Failure: The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, as well as the blower, are made up of many components that all work together collectively to keep you comfortable. When one of these components fails, the blower and system can degrade or stop working entirely. To enable the system to function, the blower system relies on many electrical components and connections. When one of these relays breaks down, the blower motor loses its ability to push cool or warm air through the vents. This usually needs replacement of the motor.
- Wear and tear: The blower in your HVAC system is subject to typical wear and tear. A vehicle’s natural breakdown of parts occurs over its lifetime. Although it is irritating to have to replace parts on your BMW, it is unavoidable. Components deteriorate and break as a result of regular usage, the passage of time, and exposure to the elements.
- Manufacturer’s defect: Occasionally, a problem arises during the production process. Even though BMW has high standards for all of its automobiles, errors do occur. Unknown to BMW, a defective component may have slipped through the inspection process.
JCL Automotive for All Your BMW Service and Repairs Needs
While your HVAC system is expected to last your vehicle lifetime, extreme temperatures could cause the failure of the system. When it comes to maintenance and part replacement, BMWs require precision and accuracy. At JCL Automotive, our expert mechanics utilize factory-grade tools and equipment to deliver quality service and repairs.
If you drive a BMW and live in Hellertown, PA or the surrounding areas, schedule an appointment with our trained professionals! Whatever the problem, we will work directly with you to get you back on the road as quickly as possible while maintaining the greatest level of care.
by Chris Limantour | Jun 2, 2022 | Tesla Repair
In recent times, advanced technology in the automotive space has ushered in the use of the touch screen as the main means to control our cars. There is no luxury car brand that is more focused on the use of touch screens for its controls than Tesla.
The most recent model produced by the brand is the Tesla Model 3, which is a battery-powered, compact executive fastback saloon designed by Tesla. This particular model has been the best-selling PEV (plug-in electric vehicle) in the United States since 2018. However, as elegant and exotic as this car may be, it is not far from having faults. One such fault or failure is the touch screen failure.
In a situation where traction settings, suspension setups, and defogging of windscreens are controlled by touch, what happens if the screen breaks? Sadly, the Tesla Model 3 touch screen has been a source of concern for some Tesla owners.
Different issues are reported by drivers, some of which seem to fix themselves, while others seem to get worse over time. Tesla may or may not be able to fix these issues depending on the car’s age and the issue, and sometimes it is up to the individual service center. Let’s find out how and if you can fix your issue, and how to assess it.
The Role of The Tesla Model 3 Touch Screen
The touchscreen of the Tesla Model 3 is used to operate various aspects that are normally handled by physical buttons in typical automobiles. For example, the car’s climate control, navigation, and headlights are all controlled via the touchscreen. It is also used to manage media, navigate, access entertainment features, and personalize the Model 3 to suit your needs. The navigation section is the centerpiece of the touchscreen.
Some Common Problems Associated With Tesla’s Screen
The majority of reported Tesla screen problems we’ve seen, fall under the following categories:
- Slow Response to Input: You can detect that there’s a problem with your tesla’s touch screen when you notice a slow response to your commands.
- Frozen Screen: When this occurs, you will observe that the touch screen’s display is perfectly normal, but the system seems to ignore any touch input. You would not be able to do anything as the screen’s display seems to be stuck, and as such, the car can’t acknowledge any command it was given.
- Yellow bands appearing at the edge of the display: This usually happens over time, particularly in hotter climates and when the Tesla is parked in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Blank screens: This is a case in which you will discover that your touch screen is blank or entirely black, with nothing shown on it. As a result, there would be no input shown. This normally happens when the car first starts up.
- Unresponsive to touch: In this situation, input does not register on the screen, but the screen displays normally. This usually happens while the vehicle is moving.
Causes of Tesla Model 3’s Touch Screen Failure
One of the reasons why the touch screen of the Tesla Model 3 might experience total failure is the failure of the phantom touch software in the Tesla model 3. This software controls the smooth operation of the touch screen. However, its failure can be corrected by a software update designed by Tesla.
Another cause of the touch screen failure is the fast charging of your Tesla Model 3. During this process, the central processing computers may not have enough time to cool down before they are forced back onto the road. This can cause the car’s computer system to restart or lag, thereby causing the touch screen to operate slowly or go blank.
This problem can cause total damage to the touch screen over time. It is very important to take care of your Tesla computer system because any damage to your touch screen is highly detrimental to your car’s operation.
JCL Automotive: The PEV Expert You Can Trust In Hellertown
For more than 10 years, JCL Automotive has been the leading independent automotive service provider in your region! You can always count on us to help you service your Tesla so it runs at maximum efficiency.
Since our recent move into the heart of Hellertown, PA, we offer the same state-of-the-art diagnostic, repair, and maintenance services you’ve come to expect, as well as many more! We are confident that with our expanded staff and capabilities, we can meet all of your Tesla’s service needs. Call or visit our shop today to receive the best service on your Tesla, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes models!
* Tesla Model 3 image credit goes to: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto.
