Need help diagnosing AC problem

[luvmy03E53]

Many thanks to all the posters who have come before me! I've learned alot by scanning posts here!

This week my wife noticed that the AC on our '03 3.0i is blowing only ambient air. The blower in the dash is working fine (so not an FSR problem), just not blowing cold air. She took our X5 to an indie shop to have the refrigerant checked, and they told her the car had enough refrigerant and that the pressures were good. In my efforts to diagnose the problem, here's what I've found:

1. Fuses 34, 48, 61 are all good.
2. The aux fan NEVER comes on, not even if the engine is at operating temp.
3. The AC compressor is not coming on and the voltage on the wire to the top of the compressor reads 5.5VDC.

I've read that this could be a defective aux fan, and I'm mentally preparing myself for disassembling the front end of the car, but why is the compressor not getting 12V?

Any and all help with progressing with the diagnosis and repair would be GREATLY appreciated. I'd love to be able to fix this without taking the car to our stealer! Trying to save money on repairs so I can get the 19 inch wheels I'm dying to put on the car!

[Zulu95]

If I remember correctly the compressor has a lock-out that prevents it operating if the aux fan is defective.
I would check the fan with a jumper to 12V to see if it operates. If it does then you possibly just need the relay.

[luvmy03E53]

Where's the best location to jump 12V to the fan, and where is the relay mounted?

[Zulu95]

I think this is what you need. You should find 12v up at the battery jump connection on the bulkhead.

[DeFran50]

Hey just sone input from my experience.. I had basically the same problem last summer.. Mine ended up being the a/c belt.. It had come right off the pullies...and b/c the entire bottom of the X is plastic, it never fell out... So when I brought to my mechanic he found the belt sitting on the plastic under belly.. Just might wanna check that

[luvmy03E53]

Thanks for the tip, but my A/C belt is fine.

[EKS PYB]

I'm beginning to have this problem the last few months as well. Blower does work fine when AC goes on. But it just doesn't get cold. I'm about to go to my indy to have it refilled to see if it is just low on freon.

I remember last time I had the X5 at the dealer two years ago, the dealer tried to rip me off by telling me that they can't find what's wrong with the AC and that they need to do a leak test and it will cost $250 just to test. So I told them, you know what, put the car back together and i'll take it somewhere else and hanged up. After 30 mins, the dealer called back and told me oh, we filled the freon up for you no charge and everything is fine.

You think two years is enough to use up the freon? I'm sure they didn't fill it all the way up that's why I'll try to refill it first to see if that is the only problem.