AC doesn't work when extremely hot outside!!

jeffhaze230 · 07-13-2023, 10:03 PM

New here to Bimmerpost, I have a 2017 230i I have been searching for answers! Dealership report no leaks and refrigerant levels are okay after vacuuming it out and replacing. My A/C works somedays and somedays it does not. It mostly doesn’t work when it is extremely hot outside. The ac compressor will activate on & off, it does this rapidly. Today my AC did not work until I let my car sit in a shaded area for 45mins then it blew like an iceberg. Any solutions or advice? Was told it could be faulty AC Pressure Switch??

Sportstick · 07-14-2023, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffhaze230

New here to Bimmerpost, I have a 2017 230i I have been searching for answers! Dealership report no leaks and refrigerant levels are okay after vacuuming it out and replacing. My A/C works somedays and somedays it does not. It mostly doesn’t work when it is extremely hot outside. The ac compressor will activate on & off, it does this rapidly. Today my AC did not work until I let my car sit in a shaded area for 45mins then it blew like an iceberg. Any solutions or advice? Was told it could be faulty AC Pressure Switch??

Best to let a dealer have it longer to sunsoak before testing. My AC works perfectly in the southwest desert, so should yours. If dealer seems stumped, ask them for an appointment when the BMWNA service rep is in town.

MarcoZandrini · 07-15-2023, 10:42 AM

Did the dealer scan the automatic climate control module for codes?

delvec03 · 07-15-2023, 04:36 PM

Sounds like your system is overpressurized.

Mine had a similar on/off cycling after I personally overcharged it by accident. Run your compressor till it starts cycling, then bleed off some refrigerant until the cycling stops. Drive and monitor on/off. Bleed more ad necessary.

Disclaimer. Anything you break is not my fault.

jeffhaze230 · 07-15-2023, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

Did the dealer scan the automatic climate control module for codes?

Yes the dealer scan the module and all codes. Dealer said the codes read as if the system is over pressured but claim my condenser is the actual issue. They said my condenser is leaking. It left me puzzled because if the condenser is leaking how could the system be reading “over pressured”??? My car is currently at the shop now, will have more answers hopefully Monday. (Any suggestions?)

MarcoZandrini · 07-16-2023, 02:16 PM

A leaking condensor and an overfilled system don't go together, unless it's magic!

jeffhaze230 · 07-21-2023, 04:37 AM

ISSUE SOLVED:

So after a week with my 230i in the shop the conclusion was that my condenser was actually bad and leaking. Somehow I also had a coolant leak. The condenser on the 230i has a line of engine coolant running along it. After dealer replaced my condenser it solved my AC issue and coolant leak issue. Hopefully this thread may help someone who encounter the same issue with 2 series or any BMW model that uses the condenser with the part number of #64509471521. Total for repair roughly $1900… part price for condenser ranges from $400-800 depending where you get it from

07-13-2023, 10:03 PM	#1
jeffhaze230 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 230i Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	AC doesn't work when extremely hot outside!! New here to Bimmerpost, I have a 2017 230i I have been searching for answers! Dealership report no leaks and refrigerant levels are okay after vacuuming it out and replacing. My A/C works somedays and somedays it does not. It mostly doesn’t work when it is extremely hot outside. The ac compressor will activate on & off, it does this rapidly. Today my AC did not work until I let my car sit in a shaded area for 45mins then it blew like an iceberg. Any solutions or advice? Was told it could be faulty AC Pressure Switch??
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07-15-2023, 10:42 AM	#3
MarcoZandrini Major 447 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Did the dealer scan the automatic climate control module for codes?
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07-15-2023, 04:36 PM	#4
delvec03 First Lieutenant 90 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 228i Sport/ DSB Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: United States, DC iTrader: (0)	Sounds like your system is overpressurized. Mine had a similar on/off cycling after I personally overcharged it by accident. Run your compressor till it starts cycling, then bleed off some refrigerant until the cycling stops. Drive and monitor on/off. Bleed more ad necessary. Disclaimer. Anything you break is not my fault.
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07-21-2023, 04:37 AM	#7
jeffhaze230 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 230i Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	ISSUE SOLVED: So after a week with my 230i in the shop the conclusion was that my condenser was actually bad and leaking. Somehow I also had a coolant leak. The condenser on the 230i has a line of engine coolant running along it. After dealer replaced my condenser it solved my AC issue and coolant leak issue. Hopefully this thread may help someone who encounter the same issue with 2 series or any BMW model that uses the condenser with the part number of #64509471521. Total for repair roughly $1900… part price for condenser ranges from $400-800 depending where you get it from
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07-16-2023, 02:16 PM	#6
MarcoZandrini Major 447 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	A leaking condensor and an overfilled system don't go together, unless it's magic!
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