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Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
All too predictably, the sun is now blazing and my air con is kaput. Vents are blowing warm air, even with “maximum snowflake”.
Initially I thought it just needed a re-gas, but this failed to fix it (or find any leaks). The a/c blew nice and cool immediately after the service, but upon heading out a few days later, things got sweaty again. I have also noticed that the radiator fan isn’t coming on under any condition now, which may be related. I usually keep the climate control on “auto” all year round, so couldn’t say when the a/c stopped working. Probably only in the past 6 months.
This is what I’ve tried, so far:
* Re-gas - improved things only for a short time (haven’t checked a/c pressure in INPA yet)
* Visually inspected compressor - the pulley spins when a/c is enabled and stops when it is turned off, which I assume this means the clutch is working?
* Visually checked for leaks
* Removed and inspected fan connector at fan pack end (not traced green cable back to DME yet)
* Checked for dip in revs when a/c engages - none
* Checked fan rotor spins freely
* Checked a/c light comes on
Is there some kind of failsafe that disables a/c if the fan isn’t working? If so, does it make sense that the clutch engages but the compressor doesn’t load the engine in any way? I’m open to the idea of a fan pack failure, it’s just going to be a hard pill to swallow since I just sold a new, spare fan pack that I’d been unable to shift for years.
Initially I thought it just needed a re-gas, but this failed to fix it (or find any leaks). The a/c blew nice and cool immediately after the service, but upon heading out a few days later, things got sweaty again. I have also noticed that the radiator fan isn’t coming on under any condition now, which may be related. I usually keep the climate control on “auto” all year round, so couldn’t say when the a/c stopped working. Probably only in the past 6 months.
This is what I’ve tried, so far:
* Re-gas - improved things only for a short time (haven’t checked a/c pressure in INPA yet)
* Visually inspected compressor - the pulley spins when a/c is enabled and stops when it is turned off, which I assume this means the clutch is working?
* Visually checked for leaks
* Removed and inspected fan connector at fan pack end (not traced green cable back to DME yet)
* Checked for dip in revs when a/c engages - none
* Checked fan rotor spins freely
* Checked a/c light comes on
Is there some kind of failsafe that disables a/c if the fan isn’t working? If so, does it make sense that the clutch engages but the compressor doesn’t load the engine in any way? I’m open to the idea of a fan pack failure, it’s just going to be a hard pill to swallow since I just sold a new, spare fan pack that I’d been unable to shift for years.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- Ducklakeview
- Lifer
- Posts: 6362
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
- Location: Merseyside
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Take the plastic cover over the radiator off. Look at the power connector for the fan, two thick wires and one thin green one. Willing to bet the green one has disintegrated.
Done dozens of them, it's the fan speed sense signal.
Let me know...
Mike
Done dozens of them, it's the fan speed sense signal.
Let me know...
Mike
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- Lifer
- Posts: 7020
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:53 am
- Location: High Peak,Derbyshire.
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
As mike says
Usually the fan pack wiring on the fan itself...
Easy to swap out anyway.
Usually the fan pack wiring on the fan itself...
Easy to swap out anyway.
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
I’ve checked that (see my list). It’s in really good condition.
Will remove the fan pack and take a look at all the bits of the loom I can see. Thanks.
Will remove the fan pack and take a look at all the bits of the loom I can see. Thanks.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
If a regas temporarily solved the problem, I can’t help thinking you have lost all the coolant again. They usually add a dye when the refill which shows up under ultraviolet light. Have they / you had a good look around with a uv lamp?
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Took the fan pack out completely. It's like new.
I'll get INPA working and see if I can check the pressure or force the fan to come on.
That's what I keep coming back too as well, but there was a vacuum test cycle on the machine and that showed no issues. It was Kwik-fit though - wouldn't normally go there but I thought WTH for a £40 air-con recharge! They have an A/C guarantee (and the owner was great, to be fair), so will probably speak to them re. a refund if I don't get anywhere.
I'll get INPA working and see if I can check the pressure or force the fan to come on.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Problem on my daughters 1 series was real simple. Local garage went through all the usual, regassed, replaced sensors and alllmsorts. No difference and never charged her
We went to BMW and inminutes they diagnosed that the main engine cooling fan not functioning which stops the air on working. New fan motor unit and all fixed (for near £500...)
We went to BMW and inminutes they diagnosed that the main engine cooling fan not functioning which stops the air on working. New fan motor unit and all fixed (for near £500...)
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
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- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 1:58 am
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
I have the same problem 2003 3.0 with just 17k miles...Just started blowing only warm air...My local repair shop wanted $1200.00 just to look at it...Told me if I got to warm to put the top down!...Now my former repair shop
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- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 1:58 am
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Geez....2004 3.0....
- charlie8
- Member
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:00 pm
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
How are you sure the fan does not come on under any circumstance - do you mean no cooling engine when hot ? ie running idle, revving, does the needle go past middle with no fan ? Thats how I knew the fan was dead, and it takes a while to heat past middle, these engines are very well designed
I think if compressor fires then there is some pressure, but just looks like you have too little gas to cool well, so a leak. I am not sure no fan means no air con, if compressor turns the DME must think all is good. My money is on the wiring which was my problem
The green wire 'looked' ok on mine, but when i started to scrape the wire to find copper to measure voltage it turned to dust, literally, no cooper at all. So I went back into the loom, cut wire, found copper, separated the fan terminals and then just used 3 croc leads to jump all pins and the exposed open green wire. Then it worked to cool engine
Its worth getting the INPA, just £35, as you can test the fan directly, it allows you to fire in a 15, 50, 90% speed signal. It wont tell you if motor or wire, but does allow you to know the signal is being sent and for you to investigate.
I think if compressor fires then there is some pressure, but just looks like you have too little gas to cool well, so a leak. I am not sure no fan means no air con, if compressor turns the DME must think all is good. My money is on the wiring which was my problem
The green wire 'looked' ok on mine, but when i started to scrape the wire to find copper to measure voltage it turned to dust, literally, no cooper at all. So I went back into the loom, cut wire, found copper, separated the fan terminals and then just used 3 croc leads to jump all pins and the exposed open green wire. Then it worked to cool engine
Its worth getting the INPA, just £35, as you can test the fan directly, it allows you to fire in a 15, 50, 90% speed signal. It wont tell you if motor or wire, but does allow you to know the signal is being sent and for you to investigate.
There's nothing in the dark that isn't there in the light .... except fear
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Finally got round to looking at this. I'm using INPA (not "INPA old", which seems to only provide DME info in German) from the Cable-Shack software bundle. I have then switchable D-CAN cable in "K" mode. I've posted a few screens below in case it's useful for others in the future.
Fan test
1. After selecting "E85 E86 - Z4" from the main menu, go into the "Engine" section and choose mss70 for S54
2. Choose "Actuator activations 1" then "E-fan" 3. Select F1-F3 to test the fan. It will be very noticeable without the engine running - 90% will have the neighbours turning their heads! Air con test
1. After selecting "E85 E86 - Z4" from the main menu, go into the "Body" section and choose Air conditioning 2. Then choose "Read status", which will then allow you to view the diagnostic info in "Analog input", "Control values" and "I/O status"
Fan test
1. After selecting "E85 E86 - Z4" from the main menu, go into the "Engine" section and choose mss70 for S54
2. Choose "Actuator activations 1" then "E-fan" 3. Select F1-F3 to test the fan. It will be very noticeable without the engine running - 90% will have the neighbours turning their heads! Air con test
1. After selecting "E85 E86 - Z4" from the main menu, go into the "Body" section and choose Air conditioning 2. Then choose "Read status", which will then allow you to view the diagnostic info in "Analog input", "Control values" and "I/O status"
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
So, with no error codes and all switch gear, sensors and the fan working, the below is my issue, right? Low refrigerant pressure, despite passing a leak test at the garage.
Any idea what it should be under normal operation? Not 1.2bar, I'm guessing!
Any idea what it should be under normal operation? Not 1.2bar, I'm guessing!
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
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- Lifer
- Posts: 7020
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:53 am
- Location: High Peak,Derbyshire.
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
Well its either leaked out again or AC pressure sensor faulty
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
A check with a manual gauge on the low pressure valve reads 20psi. Bugger.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- bmwaddict
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:55 pm
- Location: West Herts/East Bucks
Air con blowing warm air, radiator fan not spinning?
It may be the actual schrader valves, we had a car in today which had that issue. Then again it wouldn't hold the gas in if one of them were gone. Worth changing both if you've tried everything else?
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