02 X5 M54 Auxiliary fan/AC issues

Bottomfeeder · #1 11-09-2021, 01:14 PM

Hi All - I've got a 2002 X5 3.0. Was out and about yesterday, about 80º ambient temperature, and initially the AC was working just fine as usual. Then at one point sitting in traffic I noticed that the AC was no longer blowing cold.

I was out running errands, and for the next few stops after the car would sit for a little while and I'd get back in, AC would blow cold for maybe 5-10 minutes or so then would stop working. On my trip back home (about 60 miles) the AC stopped working altogether, even at highway speeds.

At home, I noticed that the auxiliary fan wasn't coming on and the compressor wasn't engaging. OBD-II reader showed code 7D - DME Activation Electric Fan.

I'm likely going to take the car into an indie shop for diagnosis of the AC system before doing much else, but was curious about a couple of things: (1) is there a fuse to check for the auxiliary fan? I checked the shop manual and the fusebox behind the glove compartment and didn't see it mentioned.

And (2) could an auxiliary fan not turning on somehow cause the compressor to not work?

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance. :-)

Chris

2002 X5 3.0 (Silver)
2005 X5 3.0 (Black)

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Bottomfeeder · #2 11-09-2021, 04:07 PM

Well, after some research I've answered question 1 for myself - no fuse as the variable speed fan is controlled by the ECM/DME. I'll verify voltage at the connector later this evening and check voltage at the control wire.

Still wondering about question #2.

I've only had these cars a few years ... still have much to learn. :-)

-Chris

valleyviewlawns · #3 11-09-2021, 04:08 PM

It would be best to check the pressures with a gauge set that you can get from an auto parts store. You can typically rent a set and they give you back your money when you return it. Typically typically the compressor won't engage unless it has enough refrigerant in it to pressurize the system.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

Bdc101 · #4 11-09-2021, 04:20 PM

It is controlled by the DME but there is definitely a fuse -- though if it stops working and then starts working again, that would indicate something else is the problem.

It was fuse F61 on early cars, and F107 on later cars, but at least a couple of us here with pre-facelift cars have found that F107 was used, despite the factory service manual saying otherwise. If it has stopped working and won't come back then it would be wise to check both those fuses at least.

X5chemist · #5 11-09-2021, 04:41 PM

The fan is probably toast. The engine temperature alone should have started the fan too. Look for a brushless replacement. Mine so far works great.

Bottomfeeder · #6 11-09-2021, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valleyviewlawns

It would be best to check the pressures with a gauge set that you can get from an auto parts store. You can typically rent a set and they give you back your money when you return it. Typically typically the compressor won't engage unless it has enough refrigerant in it to pressurize the system.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo (XT1952DL) using Tapatalk

I may give it a try - didn't know I could check those out from auto parts stores. I haven't done much work on AC systems, but have some time and I'm willing to learn.

Thanks and rgeards,
Chris

Bottomfeeder · #7 11-09-2021, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdc101

It is controlled by the DME but there is definitely a fuse -- though if it stops working and then starts working again, that would indicate something else is the problem.

It was fuse F61 on early cars, and F107 on later cars, but at least a couple of us here with pre-facelift cars have found that F107 was used, despite the factory service manual saying otherwise. If it has stopped working and won't come back then it would be wise to check both those fuses at least.

OK, well this has given me some work to do. Pulled F61 and looks great. F107 is going to require a little more time than I have this evening - I'll post back and let you know what I find.

Thanks for letting me know that there are, indeed, fuses to look at despite the manual's instructions! There's no substitute for experience. :-)

Best regards,
Chris

Bottomfeeder · #8 11-09-2021, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5chemist

The fan is probably toast. The engine temperature alone should have started the fan too. Look for a brushless replacement. Mine so far works great.

An Austin X5er! Greetings from just down the road in Lockhart. :-)

I'm curious which brushless fan you went with. I see a lot of cheapies on ebay, but an oem replacement is going to be in the range of $400-$500 for sure.

Best regards,
Chris

Bdc101 · #9 11-09-2021, 07:41 PM

I hope it's not a red herring. I fought a similar AC issue in 2020 and I wasted weeks of time and hundreds of dollars before someone on this forum erroneously referred me to the WRONG fuse. That wrong fuse turned out to be the right fuse, and at least one other member has had the exact same problem. Both of our cars were 2003s though.

F107 is behind the glove box, but is relatively easy to get to. Getting it back together is the hard part.

Bottomfeeder · #10 11-09-2021, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdc101

I hope it's not a red herring. I fought a similar AC issue in 2020 and I wasted weeks of time and hundreds of dollars before someone on this forum erroneously referred me to the WRONG fuse. That wrong fuse turned out to be the right fuse, and at least one other member has had the exact same problem. Both of our cars were 2003s though.

F107 is behind the glove box, but is relatively easy to get to. Getting it back together is the hard part.

We'll see! I think it's worth looking at, just didn't quite have the garage time this evening. I'll report back.

Thanks again,
Chris

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