Re: E36 A/C Malfunction

[alex.fadeev@xxxxxxxxxxx]

"Kevin Mulligan" <kevin@domain.elided> wrote:
> I've got a 1995 318isa with 143,000+ miles.
> 
> Sometime between winter and spring break, my A/C decided not to work. 
> When I hit the button, the light comes on, and with the window down I
> can hear the compressor 'click' on. I look in the engine bay with the
> A/C "on" and I can see both belts moving fine, and the center of the 
> compressor is spinning (I was told this was the clutch and it might not
> function if I were low on refrigerant).

If the R134a pressure drops too low to provide adequate lubrication for 
the compressor (thus the oil in the mixture), the low pressure switch will 
cut 12V to the compressor. 
The cooling efficiency will degrade long before that threshold is reached. 


> Yet, as well as things may look, the temperature of the air coming out
> in the cabin is just was warm as if there were no A/C. Makes for 
> unpleasant times in a Boston Green car that sits out in the sun all day!

One an eight year old car, my money is on the natural loss of R134a 
through evaporation. Recharge it to spec (the process is a bit more 
involved then dumping a can of R134a!), check for leaks if in doubt, and 
enjoy the car. 
My '95 M3 went through that exercise last summer. AC now works better than 
on my wife's '98 E36. 

alex f

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