Mr Aldis

[Aldis]

My bmw X5 2009 3.0d radiator Air flops doesn't open when engine heats up. Any idea what is wrong?

[Greydog]

Hi Aldis

Welcome to the Forum

I was under the impression that the flaps in the radiator shrouds around the Auxiliary Fan (Front) and Engine or Electric fan (Engine bay) are just hinged and open with air flow when the car is moving.

If you have Auxiliary heating there should be another small rad in the Wheel arch.

Dave

 

[TCon]

Dave im not sure that is correct. I remember commanding the flaps to open with my diagnostic equipment on either my F11 or an E90 (cant remember which at the time), so it must have a motor or actuator of some description on an 2009 X5.

Aldis, have you access to an diagnostic program that you can try command it to open? if not have a look for fuses and a motor/actuator and check the wiring. Maybe someone here will have a wiring diagram that might help. 

[TCon]

I was curious about this so I did some more digging and it appears at least in the F10/11 that not all have motors/actuators and they tend to stay closed unless it gets really warm under the bonnet. Check out the link to another forum about it below.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1029706

 

[Greydog]

Hi T-con  Aldis

IIRC active radiator flaps were an Extreme Climate fitting (could be wrong so I will claim OLD BLOKE amnesia) when they were fitted they were a PITA they either failed open so often not noticed or closed in which case the fans running sounded like you were about to go for take off. I have also seen vacuum operated rad blinds in Canada

They were vacuum operated from a solenoid tucked away under the manifold and linked to the thermostats not sure on the diesel but if memory serves you have 3 on your car Main Thermostat, lower rad thermostat and the EGR thermostat. If the vacuum operated flaps are fitted a failed vacuum actuator, cracked split vacuum pipe, failed sticking solenoid or a failure of any of the thermostats will cause a problem

Just didn't realise they were fitted to UK spec cars, lucky you Aldis as said they could be a real PITA

 

[Greydog]

Hi Guys

I stand corrected just checked the oracle active flaps were fitted 

For vehicles with CO2 package and Active steering and Increased towing capability and Towing hitch, detachable and Chassis & suspens. setup"Adaptive Drive" and Active cruise control+Stop&Go function and Cold-climate version

S1CBA=Yes S217A=No S233A=No S235A=No S2VAA=No S5DFA=No S842A=No

 

There was also a Hot Climate version 

Every day is a school day 

Dave