BMW Repair: heater/ac control, coolant hoses, heater hoses

Question
First of all, and most important, thankyou for your help.  I have a 2001 330i, I am having a problem with the heating & ac control.  It kicks out hot air no matter what I set it at.  It has the auto controls rather than the type with knobs that you turn.  Hopefully we have a cold winter.  Is there a way this can be repaired?  Someone told me that if this happens the control panel has to be replaced.  Someone else told me that it is a bad capacitor that can be replaced.  I saw a used unit on ebay for 138.-, but I am wondering, if I do have to buy one, if the dealer needs to  "program" it, or if it could just be replaced and working.  Any info you can give me would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

-Mark

Answer
Mark, you are using the thumbwheel between the center vents also aren't you? The heater hoses that go into the heater core from the watervalve. (the two coolant hoses that go from the engine compartment into the firewall). With the heater on high speed and max heat, feel the hoses. One will be inlet (very hot) and one will be outlet (warm). Pinch off the inlet hose and turn the A/C on max cold settings. Does the interior start to cool? If it gets cold release the inlet heater hose and see if it starts to heat up again. If so replace the water/heater valve. I wouldn't worry about the control unit yet. And yes the dealer has to code the New A/C control unit.
-Evan