How to Fix a Squeaking BMW E92 Heater Fan [DIY]

The following how to guide covers removing a squeaking E92 heater blower fan, where to apply lubrication and refitting.

The steps in this guide should apply to all E90, E91, E92 and E93 vehicles.


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Tools Required

• Torx T20
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Trim removal kit
• Lubricant suitable for wet conditions

Disclaimer: Any information given in this guide is to be used at the readers own risk. I take no responsibility for injuries to the reader or damage to their vehicles. If this guide is followed correctly, no harm should occur to either the reader or the car.

Please read through the entirety of this guide prior to undertaking any work, and do take care when following this guide.

Lubricant of Choice

I used Muc-Off Wet Oil* which worked great, but really you could use any oil that is designed to work in moist conditions.

Step 1

Tip: Before you start, slide the passenger seat right back for better access.

Prior to removing the glove box you've got to remove the hush panel, held in place with 2x Torx T20 screws. The screws are located on the two outermost 'ears' of the hush panel, nearest to the glove box.

You can either leave the interior light wire connected, so the light provides some illumination, or remove it and take the hush panel out fully for better access.

Step 2

Using a trim removal tool, remove the cup holder trim.

Step 3

Unscrew the 4x Phillips head screws retaining the cup holders, that should allow you to just slide them out. I took the opportunity to give them and the surrounding area a quick clean too.

Step 4

Remove the 6x Torx T20 screws securing the glove box, there's one either side and four along the top. Disconnect the wiring and put the glove box to one side.

Step 5

Lever the circled clip with your flat head screwdriver to free the passenger foot ducting. Once away from the clip wiggle the other end free and set aside.



This gives you a clear route to the fan.

Step 6

Disconnect the highlighted power cable from the fan housing.

Step 7

Depress the highlighted clip and, at the same time, twist the whole fan unit. Grab hold of the large bit with the Denso sticker on it. It's like a large quarter turn fixing, once twisted the fan unit will simply fall away from the housing. A bit fiddly, but stay calm.

Step 8

As you can see, there is some corrosion on the fan centre shaft, caused by moisture ingress through the intake bulkhead. It's this corrosion that's causing the squeaking and chirping. If the corrosion is too bad, you may need to replace the fan at this point.

Focus your lubricant of choice, in my case Muc-Off Wet Oil, at the interface of the fan centre shaft and the motor.

Step 9

Reconnect the fan, turn the car on and spin up the fan, be careful though it spins remarkably fast and would make you wince somewhat if you caught anything in it. If all is quiet on the western front, refit by reversing the steps above.

This may not be a permanent fix, but it's quite straight forward to do and, importantly, cheap. Fortunately, after 6 months / 8000 miles the chirping hasn't returned, fingers crossed it doesn't.