Auxiliary Fan (Compression Shroud) DIY [Air Conditioning]

[gregk]

ok I got it off and checked the voltage and found it to be 12 volt at plug with engine and A/C on and no engagement of clutch so I am going for a new compressor. I am relieved I now know where the fault lies.

The instructions to remove this plug as given to me by Schmiedmann was

"The plug connector is just a push fit,
There is a minute tab inside the plug housing to ensure the connector stays in position, and this is confirmed but the audible “click” when pushing the plug home.Removal is firm but controlled pull, and maybe a gentle separation with a small flat bladed screwdriver."

I used a long flat bladed small thin screwdriver and was able to lever it out with that.

Here are links to pictures showing the BMW X5 compressor connector socket
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcfg2kckt8...14.03.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l0wvzgl8bh...13.50.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4hlxn540cu...19.36.jpg?dl=0

Ok so lets just add a little more to this story to show the sorry state of BMW dealers. I live in Yangon, Myanmar. When I bought this car there were no dealers so has always been up to me to import parts and fix it.

I went to the dealer thinking I would get them to fix this. They quoted me US $1650 for the compressor part alone and then told me if I brought in parts from somewhere else they would not fit them for me. Their labour rate is $75 per hour which I am not too upset about. If I ordered the part from them it would take 4 to 6 weeks to get here too.

So I can get the compressor aftermarket (Nissen) from Schmiedmann.com Denmark for under $400 US including postage. Will take it to another shop I know and do it with them. Going to save myself a months wages on this one job alone.

Hope this helps someone else too.

[gregk]

Here is also a link to an excellent informational document about A/C in general.

http://www.behrhellaservice.com/behr..._Direkt_GB.pdf

[srcrowhomesf]

Quick but relevant note to this great thread. You have to jack the front of the X5 off the ground to get the fan out. Luckily, living in San Francisco,this meant I only had to pull to the edge of my garage as the sidewalk is quite a bit lower. I have no jacks so this saved my bacon! Also the old fan was hard to remove, required a mallet, but the new aftermarket fan (thanks Amazon, $160), slipped back in rather easily.
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'02 X5 3.0, 54K original miles as of October 2014

[Bmwtvboy]

Did this job and noticed I didn't have to remove the bumper. Instead I just released the bolts from the right side so I could slide the new fan up and under through the bottom. The old fan slides out from top or bottom. The right side of the fan fits differently. I spent about 175. aftermarket. Works great after 7 months. It even goes on after the X is turned off.

[DrMacca]

Hey guys. Have been reading through with interest about auxillary fan. I have a 2006 BMW X5 e53 3.0D. Noticed the aircon getting warmish when sitting at lights amd in traffic. So, after getting the compressor replaced and regassed by the auto electrician, I replaced the fan myself with a new one (cause he told me it was faulty as well). The new one at least comes on and spins at high speed when I turn the car on and engage the aircon. It lasts for about 20-30 seconds. I take this a good sign - there is definitely power to the fan. But that is the only time the auxillary fan comes on. When the car is moving, the aircon is cool as you would expect, but as with the previous aux fan, the aircon gets warm when sitting in traffic.

Can anyone suggest what else the problem might be?

Cheers Chris.

[DrMacca]

Originally Posted by srcrowhomesf

Quick but relevant note to this great thread. You have to jack the front of the X5 off the ground to get the fan out. Luckily, living in San Francisco,this meant I only had to pull to the edge of my garage as the sidewalk is quite a bit lower. I have no jacks so this saved my bacon! Also the old fan was hard to remove, required a mallet, but the new aftermarket fan (thanks Amazon, $160), slipped back in rather easily.
____________
'02 X5 3.0, 54K original miles as of October2014

I have replaced these a couple of times on 3D e53 and no need to jack car up, but you do have to remove the bumper and the crash bar.

[richardb]

Here's a quick video tutorial on replacing the fan for 2004+ X5's

[megadrive]

Hey, thanks for the write up and video, very helpful! I was able to slide the Aux fan without loosening or removing the metal bumper support, it was fairly easy slide requiring just a little force. I removed the protecting grill when I did it and it slid without loosening a single bolt. Any of you have had a similar experience removing it or is it just me? Any idea why? Everything seemed tightened, no loose parts. This is on 2004 X5 3.0i

[richardb]

Originally Posted by megadrive

Hey, thanks for the write up and video, very helpful! I was able to slide the Aux fan without loosening or removing the metal bumper support, it was fairly easy slide requiring just a little force. I removed the protecting grill when I did it and it slid without loosening a single bolt. Any of you have had a similar experience removing it or is it just me? Any idea why? Everything seemed tightened, no loose parts. This is on 2004 X5 3.0i

Glad to hear the video helped you out! Honestly I tried sliding the fan out as you described but there was no way without loosening the crash bar, it was just too tight.