Thanks for this writeup and thread. I confess I didn't see it in time.
Local well regarded corner garage was doing an HVAC special ($25 plus freon and parts).
Dropped the car off, they went through it (88 325i convertible, automatic).
They said it checked out and would hold pressure, would need to add R134A fittings (4 of them) and refrigerant. I gave them the goahead.
$25 quickly went up - $20 for dye, $80 for 2.15lbs of R134A, almost $60 for the fittings, $50 labor charge for installing fittings. With tax, total so far $245.25.
Now, not complaining - they seem straight and told me to try it this way first vs replacing a bunch of stuff and that most cars seem to get by just fine without replacing.
Here's the problem and where I need your advice...
They said the AC fan is only coming on at low speed, and that unless I am driving the car at speed, the AC will not work right and the compressor is at risk of blowing up.
Tech checked the fan (ok), relay (ok), and looked at high and low pressure switches.
Tech spent the morning looking and is convinced that there is an intermediate pressure switch he can't find, according to Alldata. I don't think there is one.
More data:
high side pressure 225-350psi
low side pressure 30-60psi
center duct 58 degrees at ambient of 75 degrees
Thoughts, advice? I'm going to check Bentley and see what the diagram shows.
Thanks :)
Local well regarded corner garage was doing an HVAC special ($25 plus freon and parts).
Dropped the car off, they went through it (88 325i convertible, automatic).
They said it checked out and would hold pressure, would need to add R134A fittings (4 of them) and refrigerant. I gave them the goahead.
$25 quickly went up - $20 for dye, $80 for 2.15lbs of R134A, almost $60 for the fittings, $50 labor charge for installing fittings. With tax, total so far $245.25.
Now, not complaining - they seem straight and told me to try it this way first vs replacing a bunch of stuff and that most cars seem to get by just fine without replacing.
Here's the problem and where I need your advice...
They said the AC fan is only coming on at low speed, and that unless I am driving the car at speed, the AC will not work right and the compressor is at risk of blowing up.
Tech checked the fan (ok), relay (ok), and looked at high and low pressure switches.
Tech spent the morning looking and is convinced that there is an intermediate pressure switch he can't find, according to Alldata. I don't think there is one.
More data:
high side pressure 225-350psi
low side pressure 30-60psi
center duct 58 degrees at ambient of 75 degrees
Thoughts, advice? I'm going to check Bentley and see what the diagram shows.
Thanks :)
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