Thread: Series 3 Heater Element Question

Hi,

Restoring my S3 and I am working on the heater. In the heater there is a small element (guess it is to heat the air before the engine warms up). It looks like it is always on when the fan is on.

I have not seen this version before - is this common?

Not sure if I should keep it, possible options that I would love your advice on are:

(i) disconnect and bypass the element, (ii) put a special switch just for the element or (iii) leave it as is.

Thanks for your help,

Chris
heater1.jpgheater2.jpg

Originally Posted by whitehillbilly64

Its a resister (wire coil) for the 2 speed heater fan motor.
First switch position 12v through the resister give a lower voltage output. Slower Fan speed.
Second switch position 12v in resister bypassed 12v out. Faster fan speed. Hence the 3 wires going to it.
Incoming cold air cools wire coil.

whitehillbilly

Thank you - makes sense.