A/C quit; bad compressor?

Sextondm · #1 02-17-2017, 06:39 PM

Hey guys,
The E53's newest trick was for the a/c to quit working... It worked great, blew cold air like a champ and just up and quit. I figured it probably had a slow leak and the PO put a can of freon in it before I bought it. So I ran to wal mart, grabbed some freon and hooked up my gauge and it said 100PSI on the low side! So, I knew that wasn't good.
Long story short, I have a manifold set which I connected and with engine running, hvac panel set to "max" a/c (little green snowflake symbol is on), and center of compressor is obviously spinning, I'm getting about 101PSI on the low side and 112PSI on the high side. Soo... I'm thinking something in the compressor has let go?
I'm just looking to see if anyone agrees or disagrees or has a magic idea before I spend $$$ on a compressor and evac/recharge.
Other note: the aux cooling fan isn't coming on, but after reading my Bentley I see one of the inputs is from the a/c pressure switch. So, if pressures are that high, I'm assuming that's why the fan isn't coming on. Initially I thought this was the problem so I replaced the aux cooling fan. Found a replacement for about $200 on Amazon. That obviously didn't fix the problem, and I'm trying to not just shotgun anymore money/parts into this.
Thanks in advance guys!!

Conajw · #2 02-17-2017, 06:50 PM

My AC did the same thing and I also had high readings on low side and high side. My compressor is spinning but my clutch is not engaging. I hot wired the clutch and it spun up but still no AC?

Here is hoping that someone can tell us both what is wrong

mario4705 · #3 02-17-2017, 06:53 PM

same thing happened to me about a year before total date, it stopped blowing cold air (mind you it was summer, and summer in CA , well you know the rest) took it to pep boys then to a now-defunct BMW mechanic and they charged me like 2K to replace the whole unit itself

NZBM · #4 02-18-2017, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sextondm

Hey guys,
The E53's newest trick was for the a/c to quit working... It worked great, blew cold air like a champ and just up and quit. I figured it probably had a slow leak and the PO put a can of freon in it before I bought it. So I ran to wal mart, grabbed some freon and hooked up my gauge and it said 100PSI on the low side! So, I knew that wasn't good.
Long story short, I have a manifold set which I connected and with engine running, hvac panel set to "max" a/c (little green snowflake symbol is on), and center of compressor is obviously spinning, I'm getting about 101PSI on the low side and 112PSI on the high side. Soo... I'm thinking something in the compressor has let go?
I'm just looking to see if anyone agrees or disagrees or has a magic idea before I spend $$$ on a compressor and evac/recharge.
Other note: the aux cooling fan isn't coming on, but after reading my Bentley I see one of the inputs is from the a/c pressure switch. So, if pressures are that high, I'm assuming that's why the fan isn't coming on. Initially I thought this was the problem so I replaced the aux cooling fan. Found a replacement for about $200 on Amazon. That obviously didn't fix the problem, and I'm trying to not just shotgun anymore money/parts into this.
Thanks in advance guys!!

I had similar issue with an X5 I recently bought, Aux fan not working and next to no differential between the A/C high and low side pressure.

After diagnosing the Aux fan as good, I ended up buying a new compressor and drier, and had it fitted and gassed at the dealer (as I don't have the gear to evacuate and recharge the system)

All good now. The compressor I bought was a Behr unit which are a very reasonable price compared to genuine ones.

Sextondm · #5 02-19-2017, 02:18 AM

Well, I ordered a compressor yesterday. Hopefully should be here next week and as soon as I get it in and charged I'll post back. Sounds like this will fix it! Sure hope so. Thanks guys.

Sextondm · #6 03-16-2017, 02:28 PM

Hey guys, sorry it's taken me a while to get back to this...
Bought a used OEM A/C Compressor on ebay, installed it and had a local shop do a good evac/recharge for me and so far everything is good to go! Fan works as advertised and A/C is blowing cold! Makes a big difference here in Hawaii when it's so humid.
Thanks again for all the help!
Next things to tackle are power steering leaks, coolant leak and oil leaks!