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A/C Working - A/C not Working - A/C Working!...

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Old 08-17-2018, 04:27 AM
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Default 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!
Old 08-17-2018, 06:03 AM
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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.
Old 08-17-2018, 06:11 AM
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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.
Old 08-17-2018, 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by jtbgonesailing
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.
Old 08-17-2018, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by NoQuarter
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.
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
Old 08-17-2018, 10:05 AM
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[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.
Old 08-17-2018, 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by jtbgonesailing


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.
JT,....you're the Man! Tyvm...
Old 08-23-2018, 12:18 AM
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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

Last edited by JMD535; 08-23-2018 at 06:09 AM.
Old 08-23-2018, 02:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JMD535
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.


Compressor.
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