2003 325i

[Tamjo]

We bought this car 2 weeks ago. We noticed the air conditioning on the first day wasn't very cold but thought it needed charged. The air blows and the compressor kicks on. Initially, it was blowing cold on the vents by the doors and hot on the center vents (the knob with the 3 blue dots was set correctly).

Yesterday, we topped off the freon. That didn't help, so it was drained, vacuumed and refilled. It's still hot. The pressure showing on the low side gauge reads 75 before and after it was refilled. When the compressor kicks on, it drops to around 70.

Has anyone had this experience or know what could be causing this to happen? Thanks in advance!

[Tamjo]

The low pressure has been released to 35 and the high side is 180. The complete driver side is now colder (but not cold) and the complete passenger side is still warm.

[dembooks]

sounds like it's not a freon problem
but a inside dash 'mixing flap' malfunction

get it to a dealer who has the special diagnostic
computer to read out all the heat/a-c functions -
and will give you a diagnosis and estimate once they pinpoint
what's up - you can't just guess by looking at it like the
RCA dog. Takes special work shop tools, and yes - labor dollars$

I haven't figured out how to do my own blood testing or
cavity repair yet - I see a man with the proper tools

[Tamjo]

I do not think your sarcasm was necessary. I guess you just couldn't resist the urge to respond to my post though. Have a good day.

[Stinger9]

in for good measure!
We're here both to learn, help others, and have fun. Don't take any of us regulars too seriously, but watch out or you'll soon become one of us!
A/C diagnosis is a skill that also requires proper equipment. Your dilemma could be the receiver/dryer or expansion valve too, and each is too much of a pain to try trial and error. You are especially handicapped without a solid service history.
Your next difficult assignment is to find a square dealer with a fair hourly rate.

PS, actually doing my own cavities has proven to have left me with a rather awkward smile!

[dembooks]

welcome to the WORLD WIDE WEB friend

I did give you professional advice

no insults

you purchased a Premium automobile

now treat it with Premium Service with
people who have years of training,
and all the special tools to give you
an accurate diagnosis, along with miles
of service bulletins and repair manuals

something to think about:
if your cold on one side of the car,
and hot on the other side,
your freon is not the issue.
It's more mechanical, like a air blend flap
in the wrong position - but why it's in the wrong
position is your million dollar question.
No One Here can tell you . Only by hooking
up to BMW's diagnostic computer systems and
following their logic tree.

let us know how you make out - we do care

[HBWT]

most-qualified one here just responded to your post with very sound advice. A simple TY with a big smile would have been my response. The sarcasm was well placed and always keeps things light hearted...just the way it should be.

[dembooks]

i'm alright - everyone has the right to be grumpy

[jfmwife]

A 2001, 325i, 100,000+. Heat wave, temps >100 at driving home time from work. A/C works fine the first 10 miles, then heat begins to come up from the upper vents, cool -not cold- air from mid vents, feet hot - this is on the AUTO climate control setting. If I depress the upper, mid, and foot air direction buttons, cold air comes out of uppers, but feet roast! I've had it at the local BMW dealer 3x in 1 month and they 'can't reproduce'; so maybe they don't have the diagnostic equipment mentioned previously here. Any ideas???

[c.d.iesel]

print out what you wrote us here,

go see the Service Director at that BMW Dealer,

ask one more time.


my Dentist doesn't use a hammer and chisel

I'm sure (if your really going to a BMW DEALER?)
they have the diagnostic computer ..........


Do you know of any past repairs to this car
related to heating/A-C ?