Ac Sux, Help!

[toast_mcmann]

I have a 95 325is, and I live in Phoenix. Man does my AC suck, as a matter of fact all the e36’s I’ve rode in have crappy AC’s. This last weekend I recharged my freon and it didn’t help at all. On full blast the fan still seems a little weak, so I plan on changing my cabin microfilter. Still, I expect my AC will suck. The AC does indeed work, but it just doesn’t compare to other makes AC’s. At this point I want to know if anybody has upgraded their AC, as opposed to merely trying to fix it. I’m sure in some states these stock e36 AC’s cut it but NOT IN PHOENIX, HELP!

[Justin318is]

try taking it into a shop and have them charge it up and maybe that will work my sucks to but i think its broken

[Dudesky_E36]

Changing the microfilter makes a world of difference. Hopefully it's enough to do the job.

[e36surge]

^^ Agree and check the resistor for the blower, there's a write-up about it. I'll look for it later and post if I find.

[toast_mcmann]

I sure hope the mico filter does the trick. Other makes have such cold air in comparison to e36's, and it's over 115 everday here. I'm basically under the impresion that bmw tested their AC's in Germany instead of somewhere where it actually gets hot. I love my car so much if I could solve this issue I really wouldn't have much to complain about.

[camnipotent]

Do you know when the filter was replaced last? It is SUPPOSED to be changed every 10,000 miles. I'm hoping the filter change will make some difference for you.

[toast_mcmann]

wow, i've never changed it! If it is supposed to be changed every 10,000 I would suspect this is pretty easy. Does anybody know of a good DIY for this?

[green325is]

I changed mine and it DID make a difference. I do agree that the e36 a/c sucks! My old '89 Accord has better a/c. I think the problem is the dam blower has to be on 2 to even start to cool off. Turn it up to 3 and the air isn't nearly as cold! Weak!!! n

[bimmer3214]

green325is if you did it can you do a little diy write up on it

[e36surge]

some existing write-ups...

http://www.logun.org/microfilter.htm

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_...crofilter.html

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/ind...?showtopic=629

[green325is]

Originally posted by bimmer3214@Jul 29 2005, 07:09 PM
green325is if you did it can you do a little diy write up on it

[snapback]366127[/snapback]

Sorry I'm not so much mechinically inclined. Just had it done during Inspection II and then recently during Oilservice.

[victorgallas]

Originally posted by toast_mcmann@Jul 29 2005, 04:00 PM
I have a 95 325is, and I live in Phoenix. Man does my AC suck, as a matter of fact all the e36’s I’ve rode in have crappy AC’s. This last weekend I recharged my freon and it didn’t help at all. On full blast the fan still seems a little weak, so I plan on changing my cabin microfilter. Still, I expect my AC will suck. The AC does indeed work, but it just doesn’t compare to other makes AC’s. At this point I want to know if anybody has upgraded their AC, as opposed to merely trying to fix it. I’m sure in some states these stock e36 AC’s cut it but NOT IN PHOENIX, HELP!

[snapback]366071[/snapback]

You should also check your auxilary fan, make sure it runs on low speed when the ac compressor is running, this fan cool down the ac radiator that is in front of the engine radiator. This fan serves to cool down the ac radiator when its running, will run on low speed, and if something goes worng with your cooling it will kick in in high speed to cool down your car, if the mechanical fan fails.

Not only replace your cabin filter, check your electrical fan, resistor, fuses and relays, make sure contacts are clean, special the one under the bumper that is the plug for the fan, that plug tends to suffer a lot of water damage, since it sits too low.

And also, on the ac dryer, is a little round silver looking can with hoses going to it, this is where the freon is dryed and stored on the system, it sits under the windshild washer fluid, there is a pressure swicht that sits on top of the can, is this swicht fails, the ac system will work poorly, since the system thinks the ac is working under high or low pressure, to fix this pull the plugs out and clean the contacts, these plugs get dirty easily and will provoke malfunctions. But keep in mind that if the siwcht itself is broken, it will need replacement, meaning that oyu will have to evacuate the freon on a professional machine and then replace the switch, not that complicated, just needs the shop to remove and then fill your freon, hope this helps;.

victor

[ridikuledind]

I had the same problem. I charged my ac and my the next week it was warm agian. I had to replace my ac condensor...which is in front of the radiator. It was easy it fix, the hardest part was finding out how to get to all the bolts that hold it on. I even had to take the protector thing off of the bottom of my bumper.

[nathan56989]

does your control panel have automatic reciculating mode. (two green light s on the recirc buttom). if so push it until the right side led is lit up this is manual recirc. when on automatic it only recirculates the air when a bad smell is detected by the "bad smell sensor on your fan shroud"