Car A/C problem
Joey_V
Posts: 8,586
So, my car's A/C might have an issue. When I come from work, the A/C sometimes isn't cool and remains blowing at room temp. I didn't feel like the fan speed was an issue, it just wasn't cool. No matter what temp I set the system at, it would remain at room temp.
The temp would "reset" back to cool once I switched the A/C system off and then back on again.
Brought it to the dealership, they said they ran the codes (whatever that means) and they found that there is a short in the fan and that the freon is slightly below normal. They recommend a fan/blower replacement and a freon fill.
I'm not an expert on cars but it doesn't make sense that the blower is the issue since the temp would be back to cold once I turned the entire system off and then on. The fan speed was adequate on all accounts.
Thoughts? I wonder if I am being taken...
The temp would "reset" back to cool once I switched the A/C system off and then back on again.
Brought it to the dealership, they said they ran the codes (whatever that means) and they found that there is a short in the fan and that the freon is slightly below normal. They recommend a fan/blower replacement and a freon fill.
I'm not an expert on cars but it doesn't make sense that the blower is the issue since the temp would be back to cold once I turned the entire system off and then on. The fan speed was adequate on all accounts.
Thoughts? I wonder if I am being taken...
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If it's low on refrigerant then it has a leak. Refrigerant doesn't just disappear and it doesn't go bad. If it is too low however it will not allow the compressor to engage because the refrigerant also acts as a synthetic lube and there is a pressure switch to protect the compressor.Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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Thoughts? I wonder if I am being taken...
At a dealer, you can bank on it.
Is the car still under any warranty ? Is this the Beemer ? Forget the fan/blower motor if it's blowing at speeds prior to you having trouble. You have a leak in the system. That leak could be simple or costly....then again if it's the BMW, everything is costly. I wouldn't be throwing Freon into the system until they find the leak. You can though, if you want the A/C to work for a week, but it will just leak out again.
Thing is, most repair joints don't want to spend the time to track down leaks. They'd rather replace lines, compressors, blower motors. Welcome to the wonderful world of luxury car maintenance.HT SYSTEM-
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Most vehicles have fans on the condensers under the hood. If they don't work, high side pressures can rise and pop the compressor relief valve that most compressors have, thus losing refrigerant and some oil. When it gets below a specific low side pressure, lets say ~28 PSI, no worky. Refrigerant also moves the oil around. So they may be talking about a condenser fan.
The blower in the cabin pushes air through the evaporator, and you say that blower motor works fine. Low charge, and you won't have any cool air to force out of that evap.
Leak checks can be done with dye or sniffers. Maybe get a second opinion at another shop that specializes in A/C.
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A bad fan makes sense (rad fan not blower motor in the vehicle). The a/c will work as normal, but if one of the two fans isn't working the pressures will rise. The high/low switch in the system detects the high pressures and shuts off the compressor to prevent damage. You the shut off the a/c and turn it back on and the system resets itself (also the pressures have dropped by this time) and it works again
I've also seen fans working intermittently so this could be a factor as well. I work at a shop specializing in German vehicles (assuming this is a bmw) so I may be of some help here. And low refrigerant most likely is a leak. I bet the stealership will recommend putting dye in the system and sending you on your way. 2 channel:
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jeremymarcinko wrote: »If it's low on refrigerant then it has a leak. Refrigerant doesn't just disappear and it doesn't go bad. If it is too low however it will not allow the compressor to engage because the refrigerant also acts as a synthetic lube and there is a pressure switch to protect the compressor.
Agreed it's got a leak somewhere, however I have to disagree with you on the refrigerant acting as an oil, it doesn't have any lubrication properties whatsoever. You have to add oil to a A/C system for the compressor. I know this because I did take a course on refrigerants to be able to work on A/C systems. Zero theory, all fact
P.S. Got a PT Cruiser sitting on my hoist at work right with a new compressor sitting on the bench full of universal system oil with a Poly Ethylene Glycol base I poured in prior to installation, as per manufacturers recommendation.
Sweet, thanks for clearing that up...there was a time when the refrigerant and oil was one and the same however. R12 in most cases contained mineral oil before being replaced by 134a which can also be purchased with the synthetic oil premixed. Point is , when the refrigerant is low the compressor isn't adequately lubed and therefore doesn't engage...right?Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant -
I haven't been a tech for 30 years, but when I was, R12 did not contain oil. The 12 oz re-charge canisters at the automotive store may have had oil, but bulk canisters did not. If you were changing a compressor, it may or may not have come with oil. Usually it didn't for automotive.Home Theater/2 Channel:
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Can speeds were never an issue. Car runs like clockwork and I love it. It was the temp. 1 out of 20 it would run at room temp no matter the "degree" setting on the dashboard. I just turn it off and back on and it cools again.
Very weird.
I expect if it's the blower that the speed is affected, no?
It's a closed system so freon shouldn't leak but dealer says that over time (5yrs) it does lose a little here and there. Not sure if true.
Charge is $800 for the blower and $100 for freon. My guess is when I walk back in I'll be on the hook for $1200 with taxes and blah blah blah.
I left a message and expect a call back regarding the car... I don't mind paying the money if it really fixed the problem. But if it doesn't I will be pissed.
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Called back, issue is two fold.
Blower about to go out and codes are showing that.
Freon 7/10 of a LB low. No leak though.
Wife wonders why I didn't bring to like a regular shop. Not sure of the answer but these cars are a little finicky and sometimes more trouble than not if you take it to a regular shop.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I'm suspicious of what the dealership told you. I still have to agree with some of the others, you probably have a small leak in the a/c system , like a o-ring seal (s) or connector. There's most likely dust and oil somewhere on the a/c lines or compressor or condenser where a leak is. Is the a/c compressor short cycling? (Coming on for a couple of seconds ,then kicking off)? Definitely worth taking the car to another well qualified a/c repair shop for a second opinion. I have to question about the blower about to go out. Blower motors can__ have fan speed relays that go bad and you may lose a fan speed setting by a blown resistor. Some vehicles may use a 40 amp fuse just for the max. fan speed setting. I've replaced blower motors before, but the majority of the time they were replaced because they were making a lot of noise due to worn bearings or bushings or the squirrel cage was rubbing on the blower housing for a long time. Someone above mentioned that Freon already has oil in it. Freon does not have refrigerant oil as part of it's chemical compound, oil is added to the refrigeration system or compressor before charging system.
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Thanks guys... I can't argue with the dealer since they know more about it than I do... Will keep an eye on things and see. The car has been great so I can't complainMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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Hey Joey, thankfully your compressor didn't let go like mine did today....I'm currently at this moment waiting on a parts supplier to get a new one in my hands and the old one is already out on the bench! $300 later ugh!
Yours cost $300, mine was at $977... gulp... I'd hate to think what a compressor costs...
Like I said, gotta alter the new amp budget... hahaaha
Hopefully yours gets fixed soon, it's getting hot out there.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Hey Joey, thankfully your compressor didn't let go like mine did today....I'm currently at this moment waiting on a parts supplier to get a new one in my hands and the old one is already out on the bench! $300 later ugh!
Yours cost $300, mine was at $977... gulp... I'd hate to think what a compressor costs...
Like I said, gotta alter the new amp budget... hahaaha
Hopefully yours gets fixed soon, it's getting hot out there.
Already fixed, I pay jobber prices for parts and up here in Canada, $300 after tax for a brand new (not remanufactured) compressor for a full sized truck is reasonable. I did the whole job myself at the place I work at so no labour cost and I evacuated the full refrigerant fill and put it back in so no need to purchase more R134A. Now it blows so cold it might cause icicles to be formed in the nether regions...lol.
Nice... I bet if my compressor went out, the dealer would charge me another $1000 for it.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Blower about to go out and codes are showing that.
That's a crock.
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1 out of 20 it would run at room temp no matter the "degree" setting on the dashboard. I just turn it off and back on and it cools again.
Sounds like a temp control computer chip or more likely a relay problem.
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