Heater fix for BMW and MINI

This kit contains all the parts you need to fix the heating fault in BMW and MINI cars caused by broken end stops in the heater box – without buying and fitting a complete new heater unit.

The kit includes an extra shaft, so it can be used on both the left and the right side. Each shaft is marked R (right) or L (left) so you can see which side it is for.

Typical fault codes

• 801189 – Engine mixed air right: initialization fault
• 801126 – Engine mixed air right: initialization fault

A known fault

BMW and MINI are aware of the broken stops and have sent service bulletins to their dealers:

MINI – SI M64 02 21 Technical Service Bulletin

• Clubman 2017
• Cooper 2014–2021
• Cooper S 2014–2017 and 2019–2021
• Cooper SE 2021
• John Cooper Works 2018 and 2021

BMW – SI B64 06 21 Technical Service Bulletin

• 228i Gran Coupe xDrive 2020–2021
• i3, i3 Range Extender, i3s and i3s Range Extender 2020–2021
• M235i Gran Coupe xDrive 2020–2021
• X1 sDrive28i and xDrive28i 2020–2021
• X2 sDrive28i, xDrive28i and M35i 2020–2021

The official repair is to replace the complete heater box, which means removing the entire dashboard. Owners on internet forums report quotes of more than £2,000.

Before you order

Please check that the mixing flap works as intended: you must be able to turn the shaft about 70° by hand. If it turns further than that, the shaft is broken – see our Broken Shaft Repair Kit instead.

You can read more about how we found the fault on MINIF56.com.

Installation

To reach the shaft, you need to remove the kick panel and the actuator.

1. Remove the kick panel.

   

2. Locate the actuator behind the kick panel.

   

3. Make sure the car is switched off, then disconnect the plug from the actuator.

   

4. Remove the two screws holding the actuator in place.

   

5. Check that you can turn the shaft by hand to both the cold and the hot position.

6. Leave the shaft in the position that gives the temperature you want, and refit the actuator – but leave the plug disconnected. You can now use the car until the kit arrives.

7. When the kit arrives, remove the actuator again and fit the kit (use the part marked R for the right side or L for the left side). Check that the shaft can turn and reach the stops in both the hot and the cold position.

   

8. Refit the actuator using the longer screws included in the kit.

   

9. Reconnect the plug to the actuator and refit the kick panel.

10. Clear the fault codes in the control unit with a diagnostic tool.

Enjoy being able to control the temperature again! Please let others know that there is an alternative to replacing the complete heater unit. If you have any problems with the kit, please let us know.