BMW X5 3.0 Air Conditioning issues
 

Ok guys, I have a slightly different problem with my A/C. When I start the car in a hot day and the climate control is set to AUTO, the fan blows at the highest setting, as it should, but no cold air comes out while idling. The cold air comes out five minutes into driving, specifically when the engine/car speed picks up. In the highway, the air feels really cold as it should. I checked the refrigerant levels, and it is normal/to almost high pressure levels. While measuring the refrigerant pressure, you can definitely see when the compressor comes on and the pressure drops. Although, this happens without cold air coming out of the vent (just that sort of humid air that is charecteristic of no cooling happening). The RPM does drop when the compressor comes on. Do you have any ideas what could be causing this?
Thanks

Hi,

I drive a BMW X5 E53. My problem is the vent blows only warm air (depending on the outside temp). When I checked usig the knowledge what i got from reading different posts I found that the Clutch doesn't get engaged. When I unplug the sensor from the high pressure line (i have a 3 wire sensor) the Aux fan starts and as soon as i plug the sensor back it stops. But could never get the clutch engaged. Also what I would like to check now is to find the relay which switchs the clutch on/off and short it as per the video attached. (How To Make AC Ice Cold, Recharge air, and Force the Compressor Clutch to Engage - YouTube ).

Does anyone know where is the relay for the E53 located? And how to get to it. And is it the Final Stage Resistor in a BMW's case that acts as a relay?

Any help is much apprecieated.

Cheers

My money is on the compressor - either it has shat itself or the clutch is not engaging.

And from your original picture question, the first plug is the only one that connects to the aux fan. If you jiggle the second one around you'll find it pops out and has no electrical connection to the aux fan at all - it is a sensor and is only clipped into the aux fan by plastic tabs

If you could hook up one of those refill can of refrigerant with the gauge you can see what type of pressure you have in the system. I think that your system pressure is low thus activating the low pressure switch to prevent the compressor clutch from energizing. If the system pressure is below 1.5 bars the switch will be activated. You will connect the refill can to the low side of the system (Blue Cap). Search youtube video for refilling a system before performing this procedure.