AC not working ..... sometimes
11-11-2012, 06:54 PM
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AC not working ..... sometimes
I have a 2008 535xi AT with 158K kms that I bought August this year. The AC had been working fine until about 2 weeks ago. When I pushed the AC button with both the driver's and passenger's temp. dials at minimum, the green AC indicator turned on but the air was not cooled. Outside temp. was about 13 deg.C (55 deg.F) when I did this test. I also noticed that the electric fan behind the radiator was not turning and I could not hear the compressor kicking in. However if I pushed the MAX AC button, then the blower fan behind the dashboard switched to maximum speed, the electric fan behind the radiator turned on and cold air blew out of the dashboard grilles, so obviously the AC system worked. As soon as I reduced the blower fan speed, the MAX AC indicator turned off (AC indicator still ON), but the air was no longer cooled, just ambient. This scenario is consistent and repeatable, I tried a few times and it always acted the same way.
Question: is it possible that the AC compressor is dying, so it works under certain conditions, but not always? (It was suggested by someone in this forum when I did a search). Or is this a case of defective AC control module and if so, where is this controller located ? Any comment or advice is highly appreciated
Question: is it possible that the AC compressor is dying, so it works under certain conditions, but not always? (It was suggested by someone in this forum when I did a search). Or is this a case of defective AC control module and if so, where is this controller located ? Any comment or advice is highly appreciated
11-11-2012, 11:15 PM
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Have you had the system check for correct freon charge pressure? There are some relatively inexpensive recharge kits. It may be worthwhile to start there - low refrigerant levels can cause compressor cycling.
11-12-2012, 05:51 AM
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AC not working ....... sometimes
Thanks for your suggestion, advancedlogic, really appreciate it.
No, I haven't checked the freon pressure, although the dealer I bought the car from claimed that he topped off the freon when I complained that the AC was not as cold as I expected. Maybe there is a small leak in the system causing the system to lose freon over time .....
I will check it. Thanks again.
No, I haven't checked the freon pressure, although the dealer I bought the car from claimed that he topped off the freon when I complained that the AC was not as cold as I expected. Maybe there is a small leak in the system causing the system to lose freon over time .....
I will check it. Thanks again.
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