A/C Working - A/C not Working - A/C Working!...
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
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From: Northern VA
My Ride: E60 535xi Sport, MHD Stage 1 Tune
Model Year: 2010
A/C Working - A/C not Working - A/C Working!...
Ok! So check this!! I thought my 2010 535xi was having issues with the A/C, as there were times when it worked well,...and times when it didn't at all. So, I keep going through the phase of A/C works,...A/C doesn't work! That is,..until I figured out what was going on. You see, I discovered that the ability for the A/C compressor to come on,...or more accurately, the A/C compressor clutch to engage is linked to the amount of fuel in the gas tank. If the fuel level is down to "X' number of gallons,....the A/C compressor will not engage. Just the week the fuel was low,...and the A/C wasn't making cold air,....I set out to get some gas,...as had planned,...and after fueling up,...the A/C was back to normal and that's when I figured it out.
I'm not sure if this is covered in the somewhere in the User's Manual, but I was nearly at the stage of taking my DD 535xi to the dealer and have the A/C checked out.
Oh! For there record,...there are times when I park the car at the end of the day with low fuel,...hence, this was occurring randomly. Now I know the cause and affect,..but more important, the remedy!
I'm not sure if this is covered in the somewhere in the User's Manual, but I was nearly at the stage of taking my DD 535xi to the dealer and have the A/C checked out.
Oh! For there record,...there are times when I park the car at the end of the day with low fuel,...hence, this was occurring randomly. Now I know the cause and affect,..but more important, the remedy!
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
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From: Atlantic Beach, Fl
My Ride: e60 530i e21 320i
Model Year: 2005 1981
Engine: M54 M10
Just 2 quick points.... The a/c compressor is running whenever the engine is running. The IHKA module controls the variable displacement compressor via a solenoid valve on the compressor. It has no clutch. And, you need to purchase a BMW compatible code reader, not a generic reader. These cars are controlled by modules, read computers, There is no hidden option to turn a/c off with a low fuel situation.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,380
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From: Indiana, USA
My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
hmmm. Not too sure on this one. I have had 3 different E60s for years now and never noticed the AC not working being related to fuel level.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
My Ride: E60 535xi Sport, MHD Stage 1 Tune
Model Year: 2010
Just 2 quick points.... The a/c compressor is running whenever the engine is running. The IHKA module controls the variable displacement compressor via a solenoid valve on the compressor. It has no clutch. And, you need to purchase a BMW compatible code reader, not a generic reader. These cars are controlled by modules, read computers, There is no hidden option to turn a/c off with a low fuel situation.
JT, appreciate your insight on this. I do know this,...if the fuel range is some where around 20 miles of so, the A/C has not worked! Now,...when I press the A/C button,..it does light up,...but no cold air blows! That said, I had around an 1/8 of a tank of fuel this morning and the A/C was fine. So, I will intentionally run the fuel down low again to see if I can replicate the issue. About the Code Reader,...would Carly work? I have a K+DCAN cable already.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
My Ride: E60 535xi Sport, MHD Stage 1 Tune
Model Year: 2010
Hmm, I wonder if my MHD Tune has anything to do with this? Although,...I think it has occurred before prior to me installing the MHD tune. Ty
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Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Atlantic Beach, Fl
My Ride: e60 530i e21 320i
Model Year: 2005 1981
Engine: M54 M10
[QUOTE=JMD535;1596477 About the Code Reader,...would Carly work? I have a K+DCAN cable already.[/QUOTE]
I have Carly on a iPhone and use there wifi adapter for the OBD2 connection. On the Android product line, the K+DCAN worked on the original Carly, back when they were BMWhat. Today I believe you must use there Bluetooth adapter for OBD2 communications, but do check to confirm. The IHKA module is among the 66 module Carly looks for on the e60-61 platform.
I have Carly on a iPhone and use there wifi adapter for the OBD2 connection. On the Android product line, the K+DCAN worked on the original Carly, back when they were BMWhat. Today I believe you must use there Bluetooth adapter for OBD2 communications, but do check to confirm. The IHKA module is among the 66 module Carly looks for on the e60-61 platform.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
My Ride: E60 535xi Sport, MHD Stage 1 Tune
Model Year: 2010
I have Carly on a iPhone and use there wifi adapter for the OBD2 connection. On the Android product line, the K+DCAN worked on the original Carly, back when they were BMWhat. Today I believe you must use there Bluetooth adapter for OBD2 communications, but do check to confirm. The IHKA module is among the 66 module Carly looks for on the e60-61 platform.
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
My Ride: E60 535xi Sport, MHD Stage 1 Tune
Model Year: 2010
Just a quick follow-up,...JT,...as you suspected, it isn't the fuel level that has caused my A/C to work here and there. Just yesterday, I jumped in to go somewhere and the A/C didn't work. The fuel level was about 1/3 a tank! Once I arrived at my destination,...and hopped back in the e60 to leave,...the A/C worked fine.
I will look into the issue more...
Thank you.
JMD
I will look into the issue more...
Thank you.
JMD
Last edited by JMD535; Aug 23, 2018 at 06:09 AM.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,539
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
Just a quick follow-up,...JT,...as you suspected, it isn't the fuel level that has caused my A/C to work here and there. Just yesterday, I jumped in to go somewhere and the A/C didn't work. The fuel level was about 1/3 a tank! Once I arrived at my destination,...and hopped by in the e60 to leave,...the A/C worked fine.
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