A/C compressor question

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by AceEngineer

It's not the control valve, it's the clutch. I can see that the clutch does not even try to engage even with power to the clutch. There are no shims in the system, it is a magnetic clutch and I can tell that the coil is not powered because it won't attract a screwdriver even with power at the connector. There is an intermittent open in the clutch circuit inside the clutch housing!! Please, I'm looking for someone with experience with aftermarket compressors not wild guesses about what may be wrong, I know what the problem is and the quickest path to working air is to replace the whole compressor..

AceEngineer

P.S. Thanks to Effduration for the pertinent information, I'm going to look into it at my local BMW indy wrench.

The compressor for your X does not have a magnetic clutch. That is why it won't attract a screwdriver even with power at the connector. The connector that you see is for control of the variable valve. The variable valve uses a PWM signal to control the valve. You might have fried the valve by trying to put 12v to it since it probably takes only 5V to control the valve.

[Caryalon]

It's not a wild guess, but if you know what the solution is, have at it.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Caryalon

It's not a wild guess, but if you know what the solution is, have at it.

Originally Posted by AceEngineer

It appears that the AC compressor is dying in my 2005 E53 4.4i. The symptoms point to something in the clutch causing intermittent operation. I have looked for a replacement clutch but it appears that the clutch is not available separately from the compressor. A BMW brand compressor is $1300 to $1500 but there is a plethora of aftermarket brands available in the $200 to $500 range. Does anybody out there have any experience with aftermarket compressors? I usually buy only BMW brand parts, but in this case the potential savings is high and my X5 has 140K miles on the clock. Looking for advice.....

AceEngineer

Originally Posted by AceEngineer

It's not the control valve, it's the clutch. I can see that the clutch does not even try to engage even with power to the clutch. There are no shims in the system, it is a magnetic clutch and I can tell that the coil is not powered because it won't attract a screwdriver even with power at the connector. There is an intermittent open in the clutch circuit inside the clutch housing!! Please, I'm looking for someone with experience with aftermarket compressors not wild guesses about what may be wrong, I know what the problem is and the quickest path to working air is to replace the whole compressor..

AceEngineer

P.S. Thanks to Effduration for the pertinent information, I'm going to look into it at my local BMW indy wrench.

Perhaps if you gave better info about the problem you wouldn't be getting all those Wild Ass Guesses (WAG). In your 1st post, you stated that the problem was intermittent. Your last post stated that it is an electrical issue. Obviously, you don't know anything about AC compressor and their operations.

[zebbcity]

I bought and installed this made in china one from Amazon in November 2018. still working good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPEK7P2...ing=UTF8&psc=1

pain in butt replacing compressor on the ground, but thats another story.

[AceEngineer]

Upallnight,

Look at the picture you posted. You can see the magnetic clutch on the front of the compressor. I know what I am talking about, obviously you don't.

AceEngineer

[c-bass]

I had a friend in manufacturing that did business in China and he always used to tell me "Mate, China is more than capable of putting out high quality product but everyone goes there to make cheap shit so that's what they're known for"

That highly coveted iphone has a big ole made in China stamped right on the back and nobody thinks it's cheap crap

Unfortunately it's not always easy knowing exactly where something is made nowadays. I've bought several parts from the premium manufacturers (Behr and Meyle) and they had a made in China sticker on them, so if that's what I'm getting anyway why pay more?

I bought a URO parts intake boot yesterday from Amazon because it was $15 and at my door. Do I think I'm getting lesser quality rubber? Judging by the amount of leaking BMW gaskets and cracked intake boots I've personally replaced...no

I also bought an aluminum water pump pulley from URO and the finish on that was terrible so it's all hit and miss.

My personal opinion is most anything that's a "composite" is made in the same parts of the world because it's toxic and it's easier to deal with that in a place that doesn't care much for environmental laws and whatnot.

Rubber intake boots, CV boots and gaskets I also feel are all more or less the same quality rubber but the fit and finish is the bigger question mark.

I bought a valve cover gasket from Amazon for $8 and it looks and feels the same as the a Victor Reinz or Elring.

For me it depends on the difficulty involved in replacing the part as well as the warranty.

Choose wisely and good luck!

*** Found one of the pictures I was talking about





Unfortunately I paid European prices for that tank so next time I'll skip the middle man, save the Euro tax and go straight to the source.