Air-con magnetic clutch does not engage

[Mujahid]

Hi all, I have a problem, the magnetic air-con compressor clutch does not engage - what could be the issue....presure switch?, heater valves? - This is what I see in the Bentley Manual, not much more help than that. How does one test these components.
I have a Carsoft diagnostic tool but it does not pick up any faults on the aircon. I also have an Electronic TIS which doesnt help much either.

Any tips from you guy's, perhaps what should the pressure in the system be?
thanks again all.

[Mujahid]

bump

[malcthom]

Possibly low refrigerant. Low pressure switch will engage to protect compressor - apparently most low pressure switches set at ~20psi not exactly sure for X5 switch setting.

[Bulk]

How's it..... I'd check that the compressor is working first

With the car off pull the clutch engage wire off the compressor and short it to the positive terminal, if you hear it engage then you can continue troubleshooting

Disclaimer: That's how I've always done it on vehicles in the past (Never done it on the E53)

[mike_dmt]

Malthcom is correct, it could simply be a touch low on refrigerant. I had a Tahoe a few years back that needed almost exactly a pound every spring. Over the winter it would leak just enough so the compressor wouldn't kick.

Bulks method will work too, I've done that in the past, but in a different manner. Truck running, make a little jumper wire, pull the electrical connection, bridge it, and trick the compressor into engaging the clutch.

I will give the same disclaimer tho: I've never done it on an E53, or any Bimmer for that matter. It could cause the moon to crash into the Earth in a horrible catastrophe. Or the Sun could burn out. Or every pixel in every Bimmer on the planet could stop working.

[Bulk]

Originally Posted by mike_dmt

It could cause the moon to crash into the Earth in a horrible catastrophe. Or the Sun could burn out. Or every pixel in every Bimmer on the planet could stop working.

And all those things will probably happen

[Mujahid]

hahahaha, I was afraid of that.
I take it that we can jump with 12v, not 5v? also it may be good idea to have an in-line fuse on the jump lead. Thoughts?

[Mujahid]

Hi all, i should have come back earlier on this. Any way I manged to solve the problem, it was a faulty fan (multi-stage fan). and for all those living in Sunny SA, dont bother with the "stealers", they wanted R7.5k part only. Ordered a new fan from Deutse Parts Online for about R2100 (excl. freight R700), arrived after a few weeks. installed - happy chappy

[Bulk]

For those living in sunny SA you should be ashamed of the blocking practice your boys have been doing for the past day and a half at Adelaide oval......

[Mujahid]

Easy boy.
Anyway isnt tactics the name of the game.