03 e53 AC problems

[jimdanforth]

Sunroof was left open in rain storm. AC was working but honestly cant say how recently as I don't drive the vehicle, my wife does and she rarely uses it, but we are approaching 100 degrees here and I need it now.
Tests so far:
Temp control all seems normal, light comes on for AC button.
Compressor clutch does not engage.
Auxillary fan does no activate.
INPA will not connect to module, but on general info screen shows AC is not on and clutch not activated.

No voltage at compressor clutch
injecting 12v does activate clutch and cool.
Pulling the pressure sensor on the AC high line does not activate the Auxiliary fan.
Reseated plugs on thermostat inside cabin

Anything else to try before replacing the thermostat control?
Salvage yard is 3 hr round trip and since this has the rotary style controls, I'm very limited on what years of the X5 work, and the lots only shows 1. No idea if the part is even there.

[X5chemist]

Welcome to the site.

Are the fuses in glove box good? Grab the module for manual temps. Does heat and internal fan work?

[jimdanforth]

Fuses good.
Heat works. Fans work.
Hoping to find the module. What other years would have the manual temp version? Very little in yards around me.

[X5chemist]

In '03, auto temp units were available. I assume 99-03 have a manual option.
The part number is 64116916654
Air Conditioning Control.
REALOEM also list the parts -> X5 E53 (08/1999 — 09/2006)

[Bdc101]

Where was the aux fan fuse located that you checked? There is a batch of 2003 model years that had this fuse moved to where it is on the 2004+ models, but the wiring diagrams produced by BMW showed it in the old location. This had me chasing my tail for a long time. I know there's been at least one other 2003 owner who found this to be true.



Post 9-10 is where the info is: https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...continues.html

[jimdanforth]

Following the link I just puled the whole fusebox down, and the fusible links are good also.
Using INPA, I could activate the compressor and get cold air. In fact, with it activated, the switch on the control panel worked to enable and disable the compressor as it should.
I was trying to find a way in INPA to look at the auxiliary fan but didn't see anything.
The fan does not start at all, even with the AC pressure sensor disconnected and I thought it was supposed to go into failsafe and run 100%.
If I understand correctly, if the system cannot see that fan engage, it will not engage the compressor. IS that correct?
When I 1st bought the car a year ago, the fan ran constantly even with the key off. I replaced it with a salvage one and the problem went away. But I'm wondering if the replacement has failed completely, locking out the AC.

[getty150]

Fan running constantly is a sure indication of a problem.

Sent from my REVVL V+ 5G using Tapatalk

[jimdanforth]

Originally Posted by getty150

Fan running constantly is a sure indication of a problem.

Sent from my REVVL V+ 5G using Tapatalk

That was a year ago before I replaced the fan. It has operated correctly since then until now.

[Clavurion]

Aux fan is controlled by engine ECU (DME). AC module (IHK) commands the fan via DME. So possible fault code and activation is found in DME.

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by jimdanforth

The fan does not start at all, even with the AC pressure sensor disconnected and I thought it was supposed to go into failsafe and run 100%.
If I understand correctly, if the system cannot see that fan engage, it will not engage the compressor. IS that correct?

When I had AC problems a few years ago on my 2002 X5 with the M54 engine, the compressor would not engage at all when the aux fan failed. New auxiliary fan fixed the problem for me. Job's a bit of a hassle though.

Chris
Lockhart, Texas