2003 X5 AC - Is my compressor shot!!!

Meestahbig · #1 04-13-2017, 06:05 PM

Hi - turned on my AC a few weeks ago, even though it was still winter here in the norhteast. AC was not cold... felt like nothing changed when AC was put to on. I looked under the hood. AC clutch is spinning. I can clearly see this and there is continuity/resistance in the compressor.

I hooked up my gauges to the high and low side. Essentially very little changed from when the car/AC was on vs off... pressure on both sides was about 115 psi. when running it marginally changed. high side was like 115, low side like 108... I think the compressor has DIED. it was good to me. Can someone please confirm.

Anyone have a good video about DIY compressor replacement. I never did it, but I have all of the parts (except the compressor) and all of the tools.

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Overboost · #2 04-13-2017, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meestahbig

Hi - turned on my AC a few weeks ago, even though it was still winter here in the norhteast. AC was not cold... felt like nothing changed when AC was put to on. I looked under the hood. AC clutch is spinning. I can clearly see this and there is continuity/resistance in the compressor.

I hooked up my gauges to the high and low side. Essentially very little changed from when the car/AC was on vs off... pressure on both sides was about 115 psi. when running it marginally changed. high side was like 115, low side like 108... I think the compressor has DIED. it was good to me. Can someone please confirm.

Anyone have a good video about DIY compressor replacement. I never did it, but I have all of the parts (except the compressor) and all of the tools.

By pressing the AC switch on the controller you are certain the clutch engages? The aux fan is also coming on when you activate the AC button? Mine just had the clutch fail right at the start of the warm months.

I had to replace the entire compressor as the clutch alone is not an option. Also replaced the leaking lower coolant hose and thermo switch while it was apart.

Meestahbig · #3 04-13-2017, 07:24 PM

the clutch definitely engages. the ac aux fan comes on for a bit and then turns off... i did think that was a bit odd and should be running full on when the ac is pressed on. if clutch is engaged and both high and low sides are near equal... can't seem to think anything else, but compressor is DEAD.

cn90 · #4 04-13-2017, 10:15 PM

If you are new to AC repair, then ask a local garage to confirm for you.
If you hit the AC button in the dash, the clutch must engage, spinning the main shaft of the AC compressor.

If AC is On (Clutch engaged) but no cold air and pressure is the same on LO and HI sides, the reed valves are gone.

Early model (2001-2003: check to be sure): Denso
Later model (2004-2006: check to be sure): Calsonic-Kansei

I replaced the AC Compressor on my 1998 528i and posted a DIY below.
Similar procedure for X5:

DIY: 1998 BMW 528i 160K Replacing AC Compressor - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Meestahbig · #5 04-13-2017, 10:43 PM

when I last looked about compressor, I recall seeing the Calsonic. I now see Behr on both Pelican and BavAuto. any thoughts? seems like that is the current replacement.

cn90 · #6 04-14-2017, 06:33 PM

Open the hood and see what you currently have in the car.
That is always the rule of thumb.

Meestahbig · #7 05-04-2017, 07:41 PM

to follow-up and thanks cn90. I ordered a replacement compressor from the junk year. $80 (I know - rolling the dice - and the one I got looked pretty beat up). It tested good with my multimeter, about 4 ohms resistance. Today I swapped in the junkyard compressor and filled the system back up with gas. I thought I was going to have to remove coolant hoses, but I didn't... took out the fan blade/housing and then just got in there with a 3/8" ratchet and 13mm, 3 compressor bolts came out. removed some of the ac lines with a 7mm allen. I didn't even have to jack up the car, plenty of room to pull out the compressor. I also did the mod (where I jumped the thermal fuse - which did fail on my old compressor a year ago - much easier to do the mod with the compressor out of the car - than in it). All in all, pretty easy repair. I winged the pag oil amount and winged the r134a fill until system was cold and running good pressure in the range my gauge says was normal for the ambient temp.

One remaining question - I never noticed it before, but the system would do the following. The system would build up high side pressure - then the aux fan would kick on - then lower the pressure and fan goes off, and then repeat. Is this normal when the car is idling, I guess not needed on highway with air flowing over the condenser.

Thanks every. BMWs rock. X5 are best.

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