Air Con Fan !!

[X5-D-Sport]

Just a curio....
The Air Con fan on the front of my rad... E53 Diesel... has never worked..
No warnings on dash of anything wrong...
The device clutch definately engages under the bonnet when the button is pressed..
So resulting in the Air Con Cooling not working when the vehicle is stationary... only when moving.

Wondering if there is a relay some place for this fan or a variable speed module etc that packs up..

The fuses are all ok.

Any ideas please ?

[X5Sport]

Have you tried putting 12V directly on the fan itself?  It might just be the fan that's failed.

Additionally, have you checked the gas level?  These cars can lose 15% of the gas per year, especially if not used regularly (mine is never off) as the seals dry out.  Mine had to be refilled when it was about 5/6 years old.

If the gas level it too low then the compressor may not signal that the fan needs to run.

Regassing is a simple diy job.  You can get a simple kit and refill cylinder from Halfords.  EZ Chill kit.

If you just get the pressure gauge it will tell you the pressure level.  The gauge just clips over the low pressure port - it won't fit the high pressure one - and with the system running tells you the current temperature compensated system pressure  If it's too low then the system will not run properly.  All you then do is attach a gas refill cylinder and gently add gas until the gauge is showing the right pressure.

Richard

[X5-D-Sport]

Hi Richard...
Good information as always.
I run the ac all the time until recently when it stopped... and thw fan has never run.

I stopped running the ac a couple of weeks ago because the internal temps were trying to compensate for the ac that wasnt running... hence interior was always boiling...
Will pop to Halfords & see what they got.

Cheers again.
Grant B

[X5-D-Sport]

I did the AC level/pressire top up... it was at the lower 1/4 of green, so I topped it off....
So its safe to say that its not leaking horribly, or yhere would be very little refrigerant pressure.

And.... No difference... either boiling or boiling in the cabin...

When the temps are set to lowest... ie  16'C & the AC powered on... in theory it should be absolutely freezing in there... but it just pumps the outside air in and possibly warms it slightly too...
Set to lowest yemp ie 16'C with AC on... i should be suffering from hyperthermia in there... but its just not working !

When set to anything above 17.5'C... the temp flies up, so I turn the AC off, and then eventually it will stabilise to comfortable if set at 18'C with AC off...


Is there an interior cabin temp sensor that could be faulty ??

Penny for your thoughts ?

[Steamyrotter]

Fan should operate when the gas temp rises (Usually pressure related)

You either have a pressure switch fault, of as you queried the fan is duff...

As youd expect there is an electronic module in these fans which makes direct testing a right royal pain....

In true BMW repair fashion.... You may need to procure / borrow another to test the faulty component..

[X5-D-Sport]

Good information...

Thank you.

I will chase up changing the pressure switch, but presume that the gas is lost in fitting it.  ??

Will power up the fan remotely this weekend, and watch for the smoke lol...

[Horizon]

The fan should not be needed if the car is in motion, as the airflow through the condenser/ radiator will be sufficient to condense the gas. It could be the actual climate unit keeping the heater valve open allowing the matrix to be hot all the time., even if the AC is not working your cabin temperature shouldn't be a problem at this time of year.

[AW8]

I had new one fitted on my V8 (no idea if same as on
yours), lbeit From recollection it is a fairly common fault - iirc others suggested there is a connector or  switch that fails on the unit itself but BMW only sell the whole unit.

[Steamyrotter]

One issue that plagued the E39 was leaves collecting in the bottom of the fan housing, stalling the fan and burning the electronics out!

[X5Sport]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
One issue that plagued the E39 was leaves collecting in the bottom of the fan housing, stalling the fan and burning the electronics out!
[/quote]


Those bloody Nissans get everywhere!!!

[Steamyrotter]

) ) )

Where's the bleeding like button when you need it???