Correct. You should be able to do it no problem, the trick is learning how to navigate the tester.

Can you tell me what you did to remove clutch? ANy special tools required? Seems like I have this problem.

Yes, it worked. Except that I wasn't able to set fan speed. It gradually increased speed and then I just deactivated when it was about to blow up :) But I guess fan working, which is good, ($500)

For bad news ... Compressor clutch wire shows 4.1V at all time. Crappy multimiter? I don't know. Activation form DIS didn't do much to voltage.

However, with car started I see good 12.4V when AC on and 4.1V when off. Clutch does not activate. I guess I know what is the problem now. Looks like that little fuse described above. Now I need to figure out how to take it off (clutch)

Hi x52003x5,

Great post! Can you tell me where this fuse for the ac clutch is located. You have its part no.? How much is it? Thanks.

Quick update on my side.

Clutch was dead. Direct 12V didn't help either and it allowed me to pinpoint problem.

I was able to take clutch off without opening system. I got coil out and of couse it's fried. There is no fuse or anything like that. Dead coil.

Of course, BMW wants you to buy whole unit, no clutch available separately. This means openning system, replacing,etc. You get picture, probably $1400+ at dealer when all said and done.

I found clutch coil only on eBay, however dimensions listed were little different. I contacted seller and he was very knowledgeble.

After spending 1/2 hour on a phone with caliper and coil in my hand he was able to find a match in his stock. It was shipped today. Guy was very happy because now he can list one on eBay as BMW X5 coil :) He was very surprised that BMW used Calsoinic brand compressor.

Will post update later on if I succeed. Hopefully, it will be under $50 fix for me...

Katit, very intersesting post indeed! I'm monitoring your progress as I have the same problem with my compressor. I'm a bit confused, though. Is there such a thing as an ac clutch fuse as mentioned by X52003X5? Can you name the ebay seller who sold you the clutch coil? Many thanks in advance.

I also have ac blower problem but its wifes e39. couldn't find good info from other sites. does anyone know where to find fuse #75/76 ? under dsah card listed it,, figure e39 and x5 is very similar. i have checked compressor clutch engagement and its ok.

The E39 uses the same final stage resistor as the E46 and E53 that are prone to failure. That may be your problem... and the instal instructions found in the "tips and tricks" link from the home page will be about the same too. :thumbup:

No, there is no such fuse. Not sure, maybe X52003X5 thought that diode is a fuse? It seems that our compressor was installed on 3.0 models from 2002/10 and it's made by Calsonic.

See attached brake down of parts for clutch. Also, comparison of old and new coils. Connector will need to be transferred and locating pin on new coil need to be grinded down as it's in wrong location. I'm not sure yet if I will put new locating pin, probably will do somethig like tiny bolt.

Also, I'm not sure if that diode critical to operation and I need to transfer it to new coil.

Parts from right to left:
1. Coil goes in first
2. Ring holds coil
3. Pulley goes in next, used autozone tool to get it out. To get in I used fine sandpaper on compressor housing. Now it goes on by hand.
4. Ring holds pulley
5-6. Tiny adjustment washers go inside of top plate. Then plate goes on to the shaft .
7. T30 torx bolt goes in with locktite. Autozone tool used to hold it (kind of because there is no holes)

All in all should be easy. I didn't put it back yet but I don't see problem. I will update when I complete.

Thank you, Weasel. I found the write-up, i'm going to get the replacement unit.