A Completely NEW air conditioning problem :) - Page 2

upallnight · #1 03-25-2019, 09:24 PM

Crowz · #2 03-25-2019, 09:41 PM

The 2001 x5 which this thread is about has a working fan and no fan codes.

The dead fan I mentioned in what you responded to is my wife's 2005 x5 and its fan is DEAD. Error codes and all. AC works great on her X5.

The fan has to complete the circuit is all it doesn't have to actually work for the ac to work.

So a spinning fan isn't required for the ac to work her x5 is proof of that.

But again this thread is about the 2001 which has a working aux fan.

Crowz · #3 03-30-2019, 07:42 PM

Well I finally got some time to revisit this problem and decided that I can do a better job of controlling the a/c than the way bmw did it

So I will be redesigning how the a/c system works compressor control wise over the next week and will post a howto in case someone else runs into something similar.

I tested it today doing it my way and it worked flawless I just need to make it permanent and do some pics of it.

Also I want to make sure this doesn't cause any errors that will trip the dash light.

andrewwynn · #4 03-30-2019, 11:46 PM

After pulling a vacuum for 30 minutes on a huge volume AC system it refused to engage the compressor so I could refill. I couldn't find the low pressure switch so I just pulled the compressor power and used a 12v drill battery to kick on the compressor.

This particular car had a rear seat evaporator and took a huge amount of R134a (like 7 cans)

I was sure the low pressure sensor just didn't close at the initial can pressure and once I got some in it would work and I could plug the compressor power back into the car.

Oops the low pressure sensor was defective "open". I wasn't about to waste 7 cans of freon so now that car's low pressure sensor is a paper clip.

Appropriate warnings given to the owner about regularly testing the refrigerant and the car that lives in Phoenix Az is still kicking out amazingly cold air 3 years later.

Hoping your solution is more clever than a paperclip and can't wait to hear what it is

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Crowz · #5 03-31-2019, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

After pulling a vacuum for 30 minutes on a huge volume AC system it refused to engage the compressor so I could refill. I couldn't find the low pressure switch so I just pulled the compressor power and used a 12v drill battery to kick on the compressor.

This particular car had a rear seat evaporator and took a huge amount of R134a (like 7 cans)

I was sure the low pressure sensor just didn't close at the initial can pressure and once I got some in it would work and I could plug the compressor power back into the car.

Oops the low pressure sensor was defective "open". I wasn't about to waste 7 cans of freon so now that car's low pressure sensor is a paper clip.

Appropriate warnings given to the owner about regularly testing the refrigerant and the car that lives in Phoenix Az is still kicking out amazingly cold air 3 years later.

Hoping your solution is more clever than a paperclip and can't wait to hear what it is

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Its a bit more elaborate than a paper clip

The problem with mine is the stupid computer is turning off the a/c. There is nothing wrong with it and it will work 5 minutes or so at a time blowing snowballs out the vents.

I can see the computer actually commanding the compressor off with all of the data showing perfect for it to be running.

Since this is my toy/offroad x5 Im not going to spend a bunch on it chasing this and I refuse to own a vehicle that doesn't have killer a/c

Its an Alabama thing. It gets HOT here with high humidity normally.

Anyways I wired up a complete replacement for the compressor control. It works but I need to make it neat and factory looking before I post details.

I used to create classic car aftermarket a/c systems back in the day so I have done a few from scratch

Its easier to go from scratch than modifying whats there to be honest on some vehicles.

The x5 isn't that bad just different than the norm.

EODguy · #6 03-31-2019, 01:37 AM

Crowz.

I can't wait to see pics but I have to say that when I was stationed at Redstone it didn't seem too hot, especially compared to 140f here although the good thing is that I can now rob a bank and not leave fingerprints since I burn them of daily on the steering wheel

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

Crowz · #7 03-31-2019, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EODguy

Crowz.

I can't wait to see pics but I have to say that when I was stationed at Redstone it didn't seem too hot, especially compared to 140f here although the good thing is that I can now rob a bank and not leave fingerprints since I burn them of daily on the steering wheel

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

140 is pretty damn hot for sure. We get a little over a 100 at times with 85 to 97% humidity. Its the humidity that makes sitting in a car miserable to me without a/c.

EODguy · #8 03-31-2019, 10:51 AM

humidity doesn't bother me here but I guess that's because I park on the surface of the sun...

It's spring here so it was a brisk 37c this afternoon

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

Crowz · #9 03-31-2019, 11:32 AM

24 C yesterday and got a bunch done outside.

Its 6 C today so Im not going outside

80stech · #10 03-31-2019, 09:32 PM

There really is not much wrong with the way the A/C is designed other than maybe the location of the evap temp sensor, but even that is not really a problem if the correct fill of refrigerant is used. If you need to put your own control system in place I think you might be missing something.