[Clammy]

Back in June, I was driving down to an event in New York state.

I was in and out of rain the whole way down, so I was using my rear defroster quite a bit. At some point, I noticed a burning smell. I didn't pay much mind to it, as I was driving with my windows down (A/C's on the fritz with a leak I have yet to find), when it wasn't raining, and it's not uncommon to smell burning, especially in rural areas where people have fires going all the time.

So, when I arrived at the site, I started unloading the car, and when I opened the right rear door, the smell was there, and smoke came out from the passenger side... �� Needless to say, I was concerned.

Since there was nothing I could about it immediately, and I wasn't going to be driving anywhere for the next few days, I put it out of my head, and enjoyed the weekend.

When I left, I figured that the issue had something to do with the rear defroster - a shorted wire, or something like that, so I didn't use it the whole way back. By the time I got home, there hadn't been any burning smell or smoke, so my thought about the rear defroster appeared to be correct.

The next day, I went looking for the source, and found this behind the C pillar trim, beside the right rear passenger headrest.







It's called a "trap circuit". It is in line with the power wire to the rear defroster, and is to suppress radio interference. Apparently this is not an uncommon failure... I'm just happy it didn't start an actual fire!!

I got the replacement parts, and installed them (I had to build the connector wiring myself), and all has been good since.

Hopefully, this can help someone if they experience the same problem.

Cheers!

[3PedalJake]

Holy shyt, glad you didn't get barbecued. LTNS hope life's been good to you pal.

[StradaRedlands]

As a fellow '06 330i owner, I am officially on notice!

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

As a fellow '06 330i owner, I am officially on notice!

I forgot to mention that there are 2 of these things. One on each side, feeding the rear defroster.

Cheers!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Clammy

I forgot to mention that there are 2 of these things. One on each side, feeding the rear defroster.

Cheers!

Thanks!

They are definitely spendy!

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...it-65246990090

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Thanks!

They are definitely spendy!

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...it-65246990090

Around 100 bucks up here in Canuckistan... Plus the connector and pins for the wiring harness. Those weren't expensive, just labour intensive.

Cheers!

[oVeRdOsE.]

often because you loose 1 or more heating wire on the glass, so the resistance drop and power increase.

I never use rear defroster, since I had my glass exploded several years ago.

Snow fall from a tree when the glass was hot, and the thermal difference stress it and explode.

This is not a super common issue, but depending of the car brand this happen.

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

often because you loose 1 or more heating wire on the glass, so the resistance drop and power increase.

I never use rear defroster, since I had my glass exploded several years ago.

Snow fall from a tree when the glass was hot, and the thermal difference stress it and explode.

This is not a super common issue, but depending of the car brand this happen.

Oh wow!!! I've never heard of that happening!

Cheers!

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Clammy

Around 100 bucks up here in Canuckistan... Plus the connector and pins for the wiring harness. Those weren't expensive, just labour intensive.

Cheers!

where are you located?

I have a pair to give, those are going with the scrap car in few hours

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

where are you located?

I have a pair to give, those are going with the scrap car in few hours

Ottawa, Ontario.

Cheers!

[GoRomeo]

Thank you for sharing 🤘😊

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Clammy

Ottawa, Ontario.

Cheers!

Oh wow same

[oVeRdOsE.]

dman car is gone since yesterday evening, it was supposed to be gone last light, so I can get the item after work, sorry.

I have an office in ottawa, im going there time to time. bad timing

[eljay]

Nice save!!

For AC leak, check the hard line running along the passenger side body rail. Look for dirt with PAG oil smell on it.

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

dman car is gone since yesterday evening, it was supposed to be gone last light, so I can get the item after work, sorry.

I have an office in ottawa, im going there time to time. bad timing

No worries. Appreciate the thought. Here's hoping it's not something I have to deal with again... or at least for a good long time!

Cheers!

[Clammy]

Originally Posted by eljay

Nice save!!

For AC leak, check the hard line running along the passenger side body rail. Look for dirt with PAG oil smell on it.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

Cheers!