530i E60 air conditioner compressor malfunction

[j0shua]

Hi. New here, and have a question:The car's in an authorised BMW workshop right now.When started, and at idle, the a/c blows out air that is not chilled, even though my a/c settings for both sides are at 18 degrees. It's not very pleasant on a hot day in a hot car. After driving it around for 5 mins or so, or getting up to highway speeds, cold air comes out and everything operates as usual. Everything functions as it should after those first few minutes, and the a/c will gladly pump out very cold air at the coldest settings.Now, the SA has said that the fault is with the magnetic clutch in the a/c compressor, and it would require RM5k for the compressor and a further RM400 for the drier to solve the problem. He did not elaborate further about the exact reason why the clutch isn't working, except to say that it's not engaging at idle speeds. So, since the system works fine once the car is rolling, I'm assuming that the clutch is either engaging at higher or extended revs, or that some other force due to the car's motion is getting the compressor to work.Given the above, it's going to be really painful for me to have to fork out RM5.5k to replace the whole thing considering it's just the clutch. Frankly I'm not certain if those few minutes of discomfort, which is usually negated by opening the windows for a bit, is worth replacing the whole compressor at that price. So the question is this: does anyone know of anywhere where they do a/c compressor repairs/rebuilds, where I can get the clutch fixed/repaired without having to fork out so much or having to purchase a new compressor? I've only ever been using AB/Sapura for repairs/servicing/etc for all the beemers, so I'm not sure which other workshop out there can sort this kind of thing out. Thanks in advance!

 

[ess530i]

BMW E60 is a SCREWED UP CAR...no one can argue that

 

[Iqlima]

sound more like your aux fan not working to me

 

[Lancelot Adolph]

I face the same problem also, but I thought it's normal?

All continental cars are like this, even my new E200k also giving the same; continental cars generally takes a while to cool up the a/c.

Correct me if i'm wrong..

 

[IsaacVky]

My E39 needs a minute to blow cool air, and my Sonata even blew hot air 1st before the cold air!

 

[bmw4eva]

Not all Continental cars are like this.My ol' E32 730i blows cool air the minute I turn on the aircon. Even if parked in the hot sun for hours, it takes the aircon less than a minute to cool the interior. The same is true of my dad's Merc S320.

If everything is working properly, the aircon on Continental cars work just as good as on any Japanese,Korean, or local cars. So I say there's definitely a problem somewhere on your E60. I agree with Iqlima on this, it may be your electric fan not working.I've never heard of a compressor problem where it only engages at higher rpms. From my experience, the compressor either engages or it doesn't, nothing in between.

 

[j0shua]

This is definately abnormal. The a/c was operating normally a couple of months ago. Instant cold air. My E66 and E240 also pump out cold air from the get-go, so it's nothing to do with continentals.

The SA advisor said the magnetic clutch was faulty, not broken, so maybe (random wild guess) it still is operating to some degree, just not after a cold start. It may possibly be the electric fan, I'll send the car somewhere else to have them look at it. Get a second opinion. SA/AB are so by-the-book they'd probably replace half the car to fix a tiny issue.

 

[r37720]

I had same problem, I think the magnetic clutch did not engage. I still keep the old compressor.

Want to sent to outside mechanic to check whether is repairable. Of course AB will never repair this aic cond.

Any body ever recond their air cond compressor?

 

[j0shua]

yeah, gonna send it to an outside mechanic. anyone have any recommendations?

i'll keep you posted on the details. unless you send it in first, then you can let me know

 

[r37720]

Let me send to one of the reliable air cond mechanic over here and we can sell at 60% off...

 

[BMW9700]

I face the same problem also, but I thought it's normal?

All continental cars are like this, even my new E200k also giving the same; continental cars generally takes a while to cool up the a/c.

Correct me if i'm wrong..

not true...my E46 had the coolest airconditioner compared even with protons..it had a large air volume and could cool the car down in minutes...thats without giving the aircond the necessary servicing since i owned the car for about 4 years..

regards

 

[r37720]

not true...my E46 had the coolest airconditioner compared even with protons..it had a large air volume and could cool the car down in minutes...thats without giving the aircond the necessary servicing since i owned the car for about 4 years..

regards

agreed.......

 

[jaliumer]

mine is a 525i jap model.... same aircon problem but no cool air at all after a few weeks when the problem started... the aircon guy called up supplier in KL and the price was 2500 for the compressor and 100 for shipment + 300 for labour... funny thing was the next day told me the problem was with some valve and charge me for 800 to change and fix the aircon... so far the aircon is running fine...

 

[RB*]

my 525i 2006 is having the same problem.....warm air at first....then it will start blowing cool air.....it will take 2minutes to start blowing cool air.....JALIUMER>>>>where did u send for repair? please advice us.....need to fix it asap....malaysia really panas...need instant aircond.....

 

[r37720]

I think you need to hook up the OBD and check the aircond configuration.

 

[jaliumer]

sorry bros.. for the late reply.. forgot my password anyway got my aircon fixed at my recon dealer workshop.. TMBC at likas (KK, Sabah)....

 

[turbology]

Check your freon. Is low on freon.

 

[r37720]

sorry bros.. for the late reply.. forgot my password anyway got my aircon fixed at my recon dealer workshop.. TMBC at likas (KK, Sabah)....

What was wrong ?

 

[E60MSport]

sorry bros.. for the late reply.. forgot my password anyway got my aircon fixed at my recon dealer workshop.. TMBC at likas (KK, Sabah)....

Could you share what the problem was as I'm facing the same problem here.

 

[jaliumer]

the guy mention about the valve at the compressor wasn't functioning properly... i'm not too sure but when they hook up to the computer it show that the gas pressure was low but aircon gas was just filled up... initially they say need to change the compressor but then next day just the valve....