[TDin]

I recently purchased a 2006 320d and the Air Con isn't working, only blowing warm air. I had a few mechanic mates look at it and their diagnosis seems to be the air conditioning compressor is seized or else the electro-magnetic clutch on the compressor has burned out.

I have been told that the solution would be to replace the full compressor unit at costs of up to €1,300 / 1,100 pounds.

Has anybody had a similar experience?

[MEGA]

Unfortunately, I had the same thing - it was indeed the compressor; And it cost £1100 all in.

Fortunately I had a warranty which covered the work.

How recently did you purchase the car? If it was knowingly sold with this problem you might have some comeback from the dealer you picked it up from.

Or you could buy a warranty, leave it a month, and then claim it failed

[TDin]

I would lovwe to claim from warranty, however i bought the car privatly only last month. I am in the process of coming to some arrangement with the previous owner at present to resolve the issue.

I have been told that it could also be a temperature sensor either located within the air vents or the foot wells inside the car. If any one of 6 or so internal sensors are foualty it can shut down the compressor.

my problem is that with the car having clamate control (as opposed to separate air conditioning and heating), that the air con compressor is (or at least should) be running constantly whether cold air is required or not. When cold air is then required the baffles open to allow mixing of cold and warm air to occur in the mixing box before blowing into the car. Now that my air con compressor isnt working, I am getting pure warm air only due to the absense of cold air mixing. I can even draw in unconditioned outside air at ambient temperature as its a "climate control" system.

I will be looking into getting a second hand compressor if I can put my hand on one somewhere.

[MEGA]

Yes I fully understand the problem. I had exactly the same thing.

IMHO registering with someone like warrantydirect and then your aircon failing "a month later" might be the sort of thing that could happen. How lucky that you took that warranty out for your car ehh???

But *Shrugs* good luck sorting it.

[F30 Steve]

Have you checked to see if you 12v at comp?

[Dr Dave]

I'd have it looked at properly and not down the pub.

It *could* just need a £50 regas......

[TDin]

I have a power feed at the compressor but the compressor itself isn't drawing any current.
I have checked the gas and it seems full with nearly 100psi across both valves.
I ahve had it plugged into tow different diagnostic tools (one is a genuine bmw) and none are showing any faults.
It seems the magnetic clutch is gone in the compressor so going to just replace the full unit and hope that works.
The only other alternative that i have been tipped off on is that one of the stats inside the car could be faulty and sending out a error to the compressor and not letting it kick in when called. Im hoping this isn't the case as it would require taking the dash out.

Thanks for your opinions.

[F30 Steve]

How many wires going to comp? Just one?

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by TDin

I have been told that the solution would be to replace the full compressor unit at costs of up to €1,300 / 1,100 pounds.

What about seeing an air con specialist who refurbs compressors. You'd have to remove and replace in car yourself. Might be a lot cheaper. Or to get a service exchange price on the compressor. You get a new reworked one cheaper on condition you give the duff one back to them.