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air conditioning quit

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

air conditioning quit

Post by stuartinmn »

This weekend was the first really hot weather we've had this year - actual temps of 95 degrees F with a heat index around 110.  So, it was also the first time I turned on the a/c in my 325iX.  Unfortunately, I discovered it decided to stop blowing cold air since last summer.  😑  Guess I need to get it booked into the shop, I assume it's developed a freon leak somewhere.
kojo96
Posts: 923
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: air conditioning quit

Post by kojo96 »

stuartinmn wrote: Jun 23, 2025 3:43 PM This weekend was the first really hot weather we've had this year - actual temps of 95 degrees F with a heat index around 110.  So, it was also the first time I turned on the a/c in my 325iX.  Unfortunately, I discovered it decided to stop blowing cold air since last summer.  😑  Guess I need to get it booked into the shop, I assume it's developed a freon leak somewhere.
Is the compressor kicking in? If low on freon, it won't.
ahab
Posts: 6211
Joined: Jun 11, 2006 9:12 AM
Location: Chalfont, PA

Re: air conditioning quit

Post by ahab »

IIRC from back when I had an iX, I think the AC is still R12 but is different to the E28 in that it has both a high and low pressure switch. For some basic troubleshooting that might prevent a shop from wasting time you might try jumping them to see if the compressor comes on, and then if it makes any cold air. This could possibly point toward a bad switch, or, more likely an incorrect charge, but it would also confirm that it's not a compressor clutch problem if it comes on. You could also try putting 12v to the compressor wire and see if the clutch pulls in, even with the engine off it should be audible. A set of gauges would be the best approach for some real troubleshooting.
stuartinmn
Posts: 9584
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Minneapolis

Re: air conditioning quit

Post by stuartinmn »

Thanks for the suggestions, but working on a/c is beyond my DIY threshold.  I was mainly venting about it not working on the hottest day of the year.  😃  There's a good a/c shop nearby, I'll let them figure it out (they're the only place in town that was willing to work on the aftermarket Diavia a/c system in my M535i.)
gadget73
Posts: 1308
Joined: Nov 22, 2017 10:30 PM
Location: New Jersey

Re: air conditioning quit

Post by gadget73 »

AC doesn't break when its not hot enough to need.  Its always going to bomb on the hottest day or most inconvenient time.  Thats just the rule of mechanical failures. Same reason in-tank fuel pumps fail when the tank is full or your battery will be dead when you are in a hurry to get somewhere. 
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