2006 X5 Air-Con not working

[AVI-8]

Hi folks, my air conditioning doesn't seem to be working and it's not my area of expertise, when i press the air con button the light comes on, the clutch is engaging to spin the compressor ok, though there's no drop in engine rpm which was noticeable on my E39.

Also the auxilliary fan doesn't start with the air con button pushed. There's no cold air either whilst driving or stationary, if the aux fan was not working would that prevent the air con from engaging similarly if the refrigerant gas pressure was low could that stop the aux fan from starting ?

I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting

Thanks in advance

[X5Sport]

First thing is probably a gas check.  If the AC is not used regularly then the seals dry and the gas leaks out.  You can do it yourself with a kit from Halfords.  Only takes a few mins and if the gas pressure is too low then you top it up to the right level as shown on the chart.

Otherwise, take it to an AC place to have them look for leaks.

Can't say I noticed an rpm drop on my E53 simply because of the engine torque overcoming it.  Mine needed topping up when it was about 6 years old.

Richard

[AVI-8]

Hi thanks for that, it's going in to get that done, the old gas is getting vacuumed out then refilled with new gas and a leek test, it just seemed strange that the fan doesnt come on, maybe if the gas pressure is low the the fan's isolated.

[Cockneyjanner]

You don't want any of those Leeks in there! They cause loads of problems!!!  O:-)

[babylon x5]

[quote="AVI-8"]

Also the auxilliary fan doesn't start with the air con button pushed. There's no cold air either whilst driving or stationary, if the aux fan was not working would that prevent the air con from engaging similarly if the refrigerant gas pressure was low could that stop the aux fan from starting ?

[/quote]

Just to confirm - your fan is working otherwise, eh ?  If it is not working on any manual setting it could well be something like the FSR / hedgehog as detailed on other posts.

B X5

[AVI-8]

[quote="Cockneyjanner"]
You don't want any of those Leeks in there! They cause loads of problems!!!  O:-)
[/quote]
Yes of course, I'll leave them in the vegetable soup lol

[quote="babylon x5"]
[quote="AVI-8"]

Also the auxilliary fan doesn't start with the air con button pushed. There's no cold air either whilst driving or stationary, if the aux fan was not working would that prevent the air con from engaging similarly if the refrigerant gas pressure was low could that stop the aux fan from starting ?

[/quote]

Just to confirm - your fan is working otherwise, eh ?  If it is not working on any manual setting it could well be something like the FSR / hedgehog as detailed on other posts.

B X5

[/quote]
I don't think it's the FSR, when that went on my E39 it caused all sorts of weird symptoms, the fan continued to run after everything was switched off etc, I let the engine run for a good 30 mins after a run the other day and the AUX fan didn't come on ... However it's not very warm up here in Scotland just now so possibly the engine just didn't get hot enough to need it, I'm taking it to get the gas replaced, see if that works
Thanks for all your input

[babylon x5]

So . . . I guess the fan is not working at all ?  Clear Screen working ?

I had no air con / blower for months until I 'found' this device tucked in behind the blower unit.  I got the info on this website and deduced that was the problem so changed it out and all OK.  Air con kicks in on Auto and everything.
I do however have an outstanding problem with this as it does not give the maximum as before.  If I do it manually, increase the blower speed, it only gives max at halfway on the display and wont go any higher,
The Clear screen function is also reduced as a result.
It may have been the cheapo unit I got off e-bay - £20

B X5

[AVI-8]

[quote="babylon x5"]

So . . . I guess the fan is not working at all ?  Clear Screen working ?

I had no air con / blower for months until I 'found' this device tucked in behind the blower unit.  I got the info on this website and deduced that was the problem so changed it out and all OK.  Air con kicks in on Auto and everything.
I do however have an outstanding problem with this as it does not give the maximum as before.  If I do it manually, increase the blower speed, it only gives max at halfway on the display and wont go any higher,
The Clear screen function is also reduced as a result.
It may have been the cheapo unit I got off e-bay - £20



B X5
[/quote]

Hi, the interior blower fan works fine on all settings, it's only the Auxiliary fax on the front of the radiator which doesn't seem to be working, had hoped to get air con re-gassed today but didn't get a chance, I'll try to get it done before the temperature up here reaches double figures! I'm fairly sure the hedgehog FSR is more to do with the interior blower fan, I'm no stranger to that particular problem as I had to replace it on my 5 series, many thanks for your input though.

[AVI-8]

Well I got my air con re-gassed yesterday and I now have cold air, the reason I thought the problem lay deeper was because the aux fan wasn't going, but it started working once the system was re-gassed,, so I think there must be a sensor in the system which prevents the auxiliary fan from running if the air con pressure goes below a certain level

[kjb1]

re-gassed mine tonight with can from Halfords!! so easy to do, £25, and its now blowing ice cold!! was rubbish before and could hear system was under pressured.  Highly recommend the cans from Halfords.  Ive done 3 cars now and every time its worked a treat! the M3, a Zafira and the X5. 

[X5Sport]

+1 on the Halfords route.  Got a spare can and pressure gauge in the garage for checking/topping up purposes.

Eurocarparts are doing a 'flash sale' on AC stuff too......Details

Richard