1995 BMW 325i with air conditioning issues?

Question

the fan works (as in moves air) but its warm. The freon is not the issue, thats been checked but not by someone who is certified for BMWs. He said the electrical to the freon was bad. Any ideas? Comments?

btw all of the "idiot" lights are off.

Answer 1

The electrical to the freon?

Is he certified to work on vehicle a/c systems? (In some states it is illegal to "mess" with the a/c system unless you are certified. I really don't care about that so much, but you should know everything there is to know about a vehicle a/c system before you attempt to fix it yourself.)

A '95 BMW has R-134a not R-12 (Freon). They stopped using R-12 in the early 90's.

How did he test to see if there was refrigerant in the system? He had to have a gauge, and the compressor would have to be running to get an accurate reading. So if the compressor is running and there is enough refrigerant, then there should be nothing wrong...get my point? If you just hook up the gauge to the low-side service port when the a/c is not on, the reading will be right around 50+ psi's. THAT IS NOT ACCURATE AT ALL because there might not be any refrigerant in the system! Your compressor, when engauged will drop the psi's to about 30-35 psi's if the system is to the proper level with refrigerant.

Try this...

Locate your compressor, then turn on the vehicle and set your a/c to max cool and turn the fan setting on high. Look at the compressor...the inside of it should be turning with the outside. If it is not, then here could be some answers to the problem...

1. The compressor needs replacement. Older compressors often leak oil and seize up. When this happens, all the refrigerant in the system is lost and you will have to replace the compressor, orfice tube, accumulator/dryer, and you will have to flush the system.

2. There is a leak somewhwere in your system. It could be something as simple as a seal, o-ring, or loose connection. Or it could be something more serious like the condensor or evaporator core.

*NOTE
Your compressor will not function if there is not enough refrigerant in the system. This is done to prevent any damage to the compressor or other parts of the a/c system. Basically, your car is smart enough to know (thanks to sensors) when something isn't working properly and then it shuts it down.

Check out this link for a basic overview of how your a/c system works...(this will be good to know so you know what the mechanic is talking about when he or she tells you what needs to be fixed or replaced)

http://www.carcare.org/Climate_Control/ac_overview.shtml

Are there any "idiot" lights illuminated on your dash?

***********And if you have to replace your compressor, DO NOT buy a remanufactured one. Reman ones usually last about 1 year. Spend a few more bucks and buy a new one. Usually the new ones only cost 40-70 bucks more than the reman one.

For your car this is what it would cost to replace these parts...

Condensor...$255.00

Compressor...$400.00 + $75-100 core charge (you might have to pay this, you might not...depends where you get the compressor from)

Accumulator/dryer...$80.00

Evaporator Core...$300.00

Answer 2

If your R134 refrigerant is good (about 35lbs on the low pressure side), and what your mechanic said is true, he may be referring to your compressor's magnetic clutch not kicking in.

It could be a bad clutch (more likely), or the control unit actually isn't telling your compressor clutch to kick in (less likely).

You should be able to tell by noticing the electric fan coming on as you turn on the AC. If the fan runs, and the clutch doesn't engage, then you have a dead clutch.

If the fan doesn't even come on, then it's the control unit.

Check every single fuse; just to be sure...

Answer 3

My girlfriends' motor vehicle had the comparable problem as you. In her case, they tried filling up and recharging the freons on the motor vehicle and it truly is nonetheless no longer working. Now that she hand it over to her Lil bro, her bro particularly observed that the fuse for the ac had blown. Now each and everything works returned after changing the blown fuse. If I have been you, examine the fuse for the AC first and if it truly is okay, try checking the freon and recharge if needed. (recharging and replenish will cost you some money)

Answer 4

did he mention pressure switch on air dryer or the expansion valve faulty.
Now which lights are off.
is it the air con on light or dashboard lights.
If dashboard lights dead,is the fuse.
if the air con light dead,it could be fuse or the relay.or the compressor not starting.
Check the wire to compressor,fuse,switch and the condensor fan.dryer could be choked too.check it out.
wish you luck.

Answer 5

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