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Old 06-05-2010, 04:34 PM
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BrianX54.4is BrianX54.4is is offline
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Glad to hear that the refrigerant top-up has restored good cooling to both sides - but it also suggests a small gas leak somewhere on your system (albeit might be years before you need to top up again).

Just to answer your previous post....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmelon View Post
...i thought the X's aircon sys controls temp by regulating the blower fan speed when set to auto and according to whatever temp setting on the control panel?....
Yes, but in addition it regulates the rate of flow of hot coolant into the heater coil - (driver and passenger side independently as they do not have independent blowers).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmelon View Post
...it does not really control the compressor which seems to be on all the time when cool ac is activated...
Correct, the compressor is not regulated for cooling capacity. Compressor speed is however constant (stabilised) independent of engine speed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmelon View Post
...the heater is only activated via a seperate push button on the control panel...
No, this button just activates a pre-set program to direct warmed air at full fan speed to the windsheild and side windows only (for rapid de-frosting/de-misting). It also switches off cabin air re-circulation and cuts out the independent rear passengers upper vents fan.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmelon View Post
...and switching to heater air duct is done manually via a rolling dial with blue and red color dots at the center air outlets?...
This dial allows for tweaking the temperature of the air coming from the centre and side driver & passenger upper vents independently of the footwell and windshield vents for increased comfort (warm feet and cooler air to the face reduce driver fatigue).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmelon View Post
...i noticed that heater air comes out only from the driver left & passenger right air outlets and not from the center air outlets...
These vents are the side windows vents (above the drivers and front passenger side vents). Warm air is available to all vents when the de-misting program is not active (according to the temperature and centre vent dial settings).

Note also that air is drawn through both the cooling coil and then the heater coil. With A/C on the air is first cooled and de-humidified and then re-warmed if necessary according to the temperature settings. With the A/C switched on you can still have warm air everywhere or have cold air to one side and warm air to the other side at the same time.

Did everyone check that driver and passenger temperature settings were set the same when they noticed the passenger side not blowing cold???
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Cheers, Brian

=========================================
2001 X5 4.4i Sport
Black Sapphire, Hi Gloss Shadowline, Full Privacy Glass.
Too Cool for Jack Bauer

Last edited by BrianX54.4is; 06-05-2010 at 04:45 PM.
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