04 4.4i A/C Woes
 

My 04 4.4i has started blowing ambient temp air when the A/C is on. (Just in time for spring of course).

Should the engine fan always come on as soon as the AC is switched on? Mine doesn't (but it does come on once the engine is warm). Been reading lots of posts about the AUX fan, but that doesn't appear to apply to the facelift 4.4's.

Checked the fuses and everything looks OK.

I bought the refrigerant recharge kit from the local Autozone and when I connected it to the low pressure fitting, it was showing already full, so I don't think my system is low or empty.

Would it be normal for the compressor to quit without any codes being stored? I switched the AC to Max and it's hard to see if the compressor is on or not.. I can't even find the darn thing in there. No RPM drop, in fact it goes up just a touch when I select Max AC... I'm guessing that's because the alternator is drawing more to run the fan.

Any thoughts before I bring it to my mechanic?

Sounds like the compressor is not kicking in and since you don't know where the compressor is located, best to take it in. If the compressor needs to be replaced you will need to remove the refrigerant in the system, which will require special equipment that you probably don't have.

If you are located near Avoca in upper New York, you can take it to South Main Auto. Eric is probably one of the best mechanic out there. Unlike a BMW dealer, it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg just to get back cold air for the summer.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtA...PBhzTHA/videos

Thanks.

I suspected as much.

I have a fantastic independent guy right down the road, but he's terribly busy and sometimes a little slow.

Now I need to get my Miata back on the road, so I can be without my X5 for a couple weeks.

I do have a guy who's excellent with Japanese cars, but he's terribly busy and sometimes a little slow.

Please resist the temptation to put in one of those cans of AC instant leak fix. It will turn a small repair into a big repair or a big repair into a scrapping-the-car sort of disaster...

Those compressors do have a valve that fails. A good Indy will know what to check. It could be pretty minor.

I was careful to get the plain refrigerant without sealant etc for just that reason.

If you want to DIY, you might want to look into an Inficon Vortex. Will pay for itself on the first repair, I picked one up used one for $200.

Great unit......