Hi, the a/c of my 2004 525 would not blow cold after starting the engine. An intermittent problem that would not occur at the dealer. It would take between 5 to 15 minutes to start then work perfectly. Noticeably it occurs only after the first start of the day.
The dealer finally found that it was the a/c compressor, which was changed by BMW under their goodwill consideration. No more problem since.

 

In the beginning the problem was on and off, then the AC didn't react to anything.

But I must say, the car was never too hot or cold even when broken, but any
changes to temp or fan speed was not possible to do.

 

Told the dealership about this problem 2 weeks ago when the car was there for service. They said they could not duplicate. I called day before yesterday and told them it did it again and the SA said she would talk woth a service tech and call me back. She did not.Called yesterday to ask what she found out. She said there was no TSB and apparently the tech was near by and said that all the max button does is put it on recirculate. I can put it on recirculate myself and there is no great difference in fan speed. But after the car has been running for 5 minute or so with the max button on (it is blowing cold air at this time) the fan will turn to hurrican force. The dealership is an hour away. As long as it is cooling I will hold out to when when the brake fluid change is do.

 

Same problem here, intermittenly, A\C doesn't work for about 5 minutes .
Tried turning A\C on and off, adjusted temp, and fan speed with no affect.

This seems to be linked to the A\C compressor as the engine has been running
rough at idle and goes away as soon as the A\C is switched off everytime.

S\A couldn't reproduce my issue either but the next time it happens it's going in
for sure. You can't wait 5 minutes in the South Florida summer for the air
to kick on without sweating out your shirt.

 

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC. I've passed this message on to a BMW NA Customer Relations Representative who will be in touch with you soon.

 

email: m.sharpe@cableone.net

 

+1 I noticed it a few weeks ago when I started the car (it was sitting outside in the heat) and the A/C started to blow hot air, and it didn't start to cool until ~ 5 min. into the drive....I could't reproduce the problem but it happend to my wife a few days ago. I haven't taken it in because I know it will be a wasted trip, because the problem is so intermittent. I will soon though just to get the problem on record just in case they try to give me crap later.

 

You may want to use the PM next time......don't want prank calls from the inmates.

 

Good idea. However, BMW NA however has pm ability shut off.

 

Interesting! I'm experiencing the same problem in my recently purchased 2005 530i. After the car sits in the sun for awhile and it's warm. I get in the car turn on temp(s) to lowest setting and MAX it blows hot/warm air for about 8 minutes before the air is cooled. (It really is about 8 mins. since I used the stopwatch function in idrive to time it after I noticed it happening.) Anyhow, I took it in for that and some other things...sure enough the day I take it in it was a balmy 45 degrees so they couldn't duplicate the problem...so...no fix, but my SA told me it's documented and be sure to bring it back if and when it does it again. Later that same day...SA calls me up...a tech backed my car into a pole, so now it's getting bodywork done.