Auto Air Conditioning

[Anonymous]

Hi guys can anyone help with this please, I have just bought a 2003 Z4 from a friend it only has 20000 miles bit the air con wont work, my friend hardly ever used it and its never been recharged so i took it to Kwik Fit to have it recharged, the guy there said it had taken the charge ok and there are no leaks anywhere but it still wont but out any cold air. when you switch it on you can hear something engage and looking at the pump everything seems to be ok. Any help with this would be really appreciated thanks

 

[kipperonabike]

Hi rogus. I can't offer any advice, I too can't get a satisfying blast of cold air from my auto air con.......no matter what I do I can't get the button with the snow-flake on it to light up! Any helpers/clues appreciated before I phone the dealer with another stupid question.....tho thats why I went to a dealer...... :wink:

(Its a '07 with only 23k, one full-service, so maybe I need to get it recharged).

 

[cj10jeeper]

rogus - welcome and don't forget to go to the newbie section to introduce yourself.

I'm sceptical about the need for recharging. Never had it done on a car ever (2001 X5 and 2003 Z4 in Bimmers)

You can hear the clutch engaging by the sounds of things, but is the compressor spinning? Do the pipes get cold?

 

[gannet]

cj - my air con was decidedly warm, after a recharge I noticed a considerable difference

and welcome rogus

 

[sk93]

I'm assuming you've pressed the snowflake button to put everything on the coldest possible setting?
I'm also assuming you've checked the fuses etc?

Apparently, there's a problem with some BMW air conditioning control units on other models (mainly 3 series) where the aircon clicks in, but the fan just blows normal, warm air.


If you're under warranty, go see the dealer.
If you're not, then I'm afraid it would probably be a trip to an auto electrician :thumbsdown:
(Or, get the person you bought the car from to fix it for free for you, or give you your cash back - as you're entitled under the sales of goods act )

 

[powerontap]

Welcome from Canada

 

[kipperonabike]

Yep, pressed the 'snowflake' button (top rightish of AAC controls)
No, haven't a clue where the fuses are.........
Yep, after another test drive I'll get it back to the dealer to explain away.

Many thanks for the tips.

 

[Smokin]

Don't know if the "guts" are the same, but the a/c on hubby's X5 didn't work. Turned out to be a single controller (resistor??????). $300 at dealer (parts, labor, taxes, everything). In his case, you could hear the compressor engaging just no air blowing out of the vents.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Don't know if the "guts" are the same, but the a/c on hubby's X5 didn't work. Turned out to be a single controller (resistor??????). $300 at dealer (parts, labor, taxes, everything). In his case, you could hear the compressor engaging just no air blowing out of the vents.

That' sounds like the infamous final stage resistor on X5's that once it fails the heating/cooling and fans develop a mind of their own. Won't swith on or off, keep running all night, etc. Mine went too, but fixed it.

 

[Smokin]

Don't know if the "guts" are the same, but the a/c on hubby's X5 didn't work. Turned out to be a single controller (resistor??????). $300 at dealer (parts, labor, taxes, everything). In his case, you could hear the compressor engaging just no air blowing out of the vents.

That' sounds like the infamous final stage resistor on X5's that once it fails the heating/cooling and fans develop a mind of their own. Won't swith on or off, keep running all night, etc. Mine went too, but fixed it.

That's the exact one. Boy, does that a/c get cold now. WOW.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys everything on my cars working all the buttons light up properly and the fans ok, i just cant get any cold air, think i'll take it to an air con specialist - knowing kwik fit there machine for recharging it had probably ran out of gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great to be a member have just fitted cruise control from the info supplied in the forum, saved a fortune my local dealer wanted £150 for the kit and 2 hours labour at £120 per hour. I bought the switch £60 and fitted in half an hour............ Keep up the good work

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again I've checked under the bonnet and the magnetic clutch doesn't seem to be engaging, can this be repaired without having to have a new compressor fitted also is there anything i can check that maybe stopping the clutch working. I would appreciate any help with this guys as i dont fancy having to fork out £500 + for a new compressor thanks

 

[drtalamantes]

I have a 2007 z4. my battery went dead and the car was put into the transport mode. That stops the air conditioner, rear window defrost and a few other things to stop working. I had to go have the transport mode turned off. Its done by paying for the diagnostics.
I dont know if that is your problem.
david