Air Conditioning Stopped Working - No codes or alerts

[Steepcreeker]

2011 X5 50i

Hello, Just recently, with no trauma or specific event, the AC stopped working. Started car one morning and not working.

Seems to be cold on fresh start in morning but quickly the air blowing is not conditioned at all. Blower is working along with all vent settings and adjustment controls.

I have read some posts which suggest AC problems as intermittent, we have not seem the AC work since it shut down.

Thoughts on process of diagnosing issue appreciated.?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Steepcreeker

2011 X5 5.0

Hello, Just recently, with no trauma or specific event, the AC stopped working. Started car one morning and not working.

Seems to be cold on fresh start in morning but quickly the air blowing is not conditioned at all. Blower is working along with all vent settings and adjustment controls.

I have read some posts which suggest AC problems as intermittent, we have not seem the AC work since it shut down.

Thoughts on process of diagnosing issue appreciated.?

Best place to start (after checking to make sure your belt is ok, the 50i uses separate belt for A/C pump) is by measuring the pressures of the system. Pick yourself up Automotive A/C manifold set, jump on YouTube and watch a few videos on how to use, then hook it up. If pressures are too low the compressor will not come on as safety switch will be tripped. If there is no pressure at all in system you have major leak and need to buy vacuum pump, evacuate system, add back 24oz of freon with UV dye in it, black-light it, find the leak and repair.

If there still is pressure then add back in appropriate amount of freon with UV dye and stop leak. Look up R134 pressure chart (it's different for every temp) and watch videos on how to fill an A/C system.

Filling our A/C system is the same as any other vehicle so the videos on the web apply. I just did this myself. The A/C ports are really easy to access

Most important thing to remember as a newbie working on A/C: Always make sure high side valve on manifold is Closed whenever you hook up a freon can and always purge the lines of air when you hook up the manifold.

[Steepcreeker]

Thanks for the great write up. I appreciate this.

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Best place to start (after checking to make sure your belt is ok, the 50i uses separate belt for A/C pump)

Is there a way to see A/C belt without removing fan assembly? I was looking today and couldn't see anything without starting to remove cross bar and possibly fan?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Steepcreeker

Thanks for the great write up. I appreciate this.



Is there a way to see A/C belt without removing fan assembly? I was looking today and couldn't see anything without starting to remove cross bar and possibly fan?

No problem happy to help. I would just remove the cross bar, otherwise you have to jack up the car crawl underneath to see it.

If turns out to be your belt its actually pretty easy to change since its a stretch-fit and BMW made an ingenious design on the crank pulley that allows it to be put on easily. If it is your belt, report back here and I will give you some tips on replacing it, btw get the top quality belt you can, I learned this the hard way by trying to be cheap...

[jtl13]

Have you had any luck finding your A/C problem? My 13 35i is doing the same thing. A/C works at first startup for approximately 5 minutes then quits.

[Steepcreeker]

Originally Posted by jtl13

Have you had any luck finding your A/C problem? My 13 35i is doing the same thing. A/C works at first startup for approximately 5 minutes then quits.

I didn't get to it this weekend. I will post what I find this week. I suspect the belt is gone as I was starting to hear a belt squeal a little at startup prior to the AC not working.

[Thecastle]

Typically if the belt is bad the a/c wont work at all. If it was slipping you'd hear the squeal and it would probably work. Until the belt snapped or heated up and started smoking from slip. I blew a lot of belts on my 335d from that stupid fluid damper... So I got really good at replacing them, and experiencing failures.

[msan]

Maybe this might help?

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...d-ac-died.html

[jtl13]

Originally Posted by msan

Maybe this might help?

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...d-ac-died.html

Thank you! I will try the linked procedures and report back.

[chemist_slime]

Originally Posted by jtl13

Thank you! I will try the linked procedures and report back.

In that other thread, he removed the AC compressor which I don't think is necessary. I just replaced my AC clutch as well and just removed the intercooler on the very bottom and stuck my hands through the opening to remove the old clutch and install the new one.

[chemist_slime]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

Typically if the belt is bad the a/c wont work at all. If it was slipping you'd hear the squeal and it would probably work. Until the belt snapped or heated up and started smoking from slip. I blew a lot of belts on my 335d from that stupid fluid damper... So I got really good at replacing them, and experiencing failures.

Not to hijack the thread but I just installed the fluid ampr and haven't read any threads about it blowing belts. I'm assuming everything was installed properly including the clutched pulley that came with it?

[Steepcreeker]

Belt was gone and fried up. I was getting a burning smell from the belt leftovers. Indy shop mechanic is replacing. Hopefully no other issues with AC.