XSeries-forum

Hi everyone, bought myself a 57 plate E70 3.0D SE with lots of toys on it after getting bored with a VW. The car is amazing lots of fun on short and long journeys, I commute 140 miles a day, not evey day as I couldn't afford the fuel! Over the past 3 weeks though the aircon stopped working so I have got the car booked in next week for diagnostics. But today I had to brake very hard, when the traffic lights went red and suddenly the aircon started working again.

So is it
a) a miracle
b) a coincidence
c) There is something mechanical in the aircon (like a mechanical flap) that I have freed off after continued hard accelarations
d) There is likely to be a very expensive electrical reason!

Thanks

Steve

Or it could just need regassing.....

I am assured from the last check 4 weeks ago that the gas was okay, is it that sensitive to the level?

Shouldn't be.  If the previous owner didn't use it much then it could have been a bit sticky....

I never have mine off.  It uses so little extra fuel on a diesel with the spare torque....

Richard

Sticky I can cope with!

Always leave it on as well, didn't buy the car for its economy! just the fun!

[quote="noxid1969"]
Sticky I can cope with!

Always leave it on as well, didn't buy the car for its economy! just the fun!
[/quote]


Quite often I prefer the windows open , in which case, the aircon should be off .

That's very weird.. I have my air-con on most of the time, and when I have to brake hard, it goes off for a second or two whilst the car settles, and then it comes back on and is fine?!?

Will be interested to see what the answer is to this one.

cheers,
goose

noxid1969, any updates on this since you posted this ?

Update.
There was too much aircon gas/fluid in the system (quoted as over by 200grams). Garage were really good and checked and cleaned all the sensors at the same time. They are also getting their equipment recalibrated.

didn't realise you could over fill them but great news.

I've got the same problem again, no aircon! Noticed yesterday in the rain that my windows were steaming up and even using the screen demist couldn't get rid of it all. I have no codes so I am at a loss to what it can be where the aircon comes and goes. How does the aircon pump engage, is it belt or clutch? Are they prone to intermittent faults?

Clutch.  Needs to have the snow symbol light on and recirc either off or on auto and the system on auto.  That should keep you steam free.

Gas is lost steadily if the system is not used.  Check the system by running the temp all the way down and make sure it is cooling.

Richard

Richard,
  I think there is an intermittent problem with the aircon as it is not cooling properly (or at all at the moment) the fact it comes and goes associated with either heavy braking or other such event makes me think that either there is a dry joint/ failing connection or a mechanical issue. There are no codes reported and frustratingly every time it goes into the garage it starts working again.

I leave the system on all the time (Auto) but it is not doing what it should and the steaming up of the windows (even using the demist button) should not be happening if the aircon is working properly, I had been lulled into thinking the last fix had worked because the outside temperature dropped. Will let you know what happens with the garage.

Steve

Could be.  The only other quick checks might be that the compressor is actually engaging when you press the button.

After that it is a case of taking things to bits....

Be interesting to know what it is once you get it back.
Richard

Richard,
The compressor was not engaging even though all the lights were on and there were no errors. The compressor was 'reinstalled' using the software and lovely cold air started to come out. Garage thinks it might be the control unit that is at fault but we are waiting to see if it fails again. But for the moment it is all working as advertised.

Steve