As recommended,I turn on my a/c so it can run for awhile to prevent the seals from becoming harden which will prevent the gas from escaping.However,the system did not work.The power switch was on but the fan located between the grill and the radiator did'nt turn.Am usually able to hear the fan and feel a difference in the cars power,but it was as if the system wasnt on.For the past two weeks we have been having some low temps.Could this (low temps) have anything to do with it.Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Is My A/c Broken??????????
- Thread starter Evermay
- Start date
As above, the engine cooling fan may not run, but you should still hear or feel the compressor cycle in and out. Make sure you have it set for the coldest possible setting, etc.
It is possible that the cold weather could be causing it to not work. Most car A/C systems have a pressure sensor, I assume bimmers have one. If the refrigerant pressure is too low, the system will not run to protect it from damage. Cold temperatures cause gasses to contract, therefore lower pressure. It's possible that it is too cold, or you may be low on refrigerant, and the pressure is too low.
It is possible that the cold weather could be causing it to not work. Most car A/C systems have a pressure sensor, I assume bimmers have one. If the refrigerant pressure is too low, the system will not run to protect it from damage. Cold temperatures cause gasses to contract, therefore lower pressure. It's possible that it is too cold, or you may be low on refrigerant, and the pressure is too low.
I think you will get different behavior depending on how you use the system. If the climate control is set to AUTO and the outside temp is way colder than your AUTO temp setting, the compressor might not come on as A/C is not warranted, but heat is. It is unclear to me if the BMW system runs the compressor (with the snowflake lit of course) if it is in a heating mode. Any comments on this?
A possible way to force the system on would be to run the climate control in MANUAL mode with some fan speed with the snowflake on, then decrease the temperature with the arrows to its lower limit. Is this what you do to force the system on? Tell us exactly what you do to force the system on.
A possible way to force the system on would be to run the climate control in MANUAL mode with some fan speed with the snowflake on, then decrease the temperature with the arrows to its lower limit. Is this what you do to force the system on? Tell us exactly what you do to force the system on.
big daddy, interesting point. GM really has the compressor running while system is deactivated? i wonder why? may be for life time reasons? i heard that it makes sense to run the a/c every now and then to keep it working. a long time or permanent deactivation might be bad for it.
to the question if the compressor is running while it is warmer in the car than outside, i think so. the a/c does not only cool down the air, it also dries the air. with a/c on the windows will not fog while driving in rain.
to the question if the compressor is running while it is warmer in the car than outside, i think so. the a/c does not only cool down the air, it also dries the air. with a/c on the windows will not fog while driving in rain.
Thank you guys,I think the engine wasnt hot enough.I let it ran a few hours and the outside fan started.I think the refrigerant is also low,I hear a whistling sound in the vents.Again thanks.
PS. Where do you guys get you info from?I've been reading a lot of post and it amazes me to read all the info and suggestion you guys offer.
PS. Where do you guys get you info from?I've been reading a lot of post and it amazes me to read all the info and suggestion you guys offer.
![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]"){kind=icon}
comes from about 30 years of working on my own cars.