AC INFO...HELP it's SOOOO HOT!!!!

[Funkgoat]

My mechanic informed me that when your ac is out of refrigerant the compressor will not engage and it won't take a charge. Unless you have all the high tech ac stuff that they have a shop you will have to jump the switch.
So my question is how can I jump it meaning make it manually engage. Where is the clip located so I can unplug it and make a jump. Then I'll be able to charge it myself.
Thanks

 

[epj3]

My mechanic informed me that when your ac is out of refrigerant the compressor will not engage and it won't take a charge. Unless you have all the high tech ac stuff that they have a shop you will have to jump the switch.
So my question is how can I jump it meaning make it manually engage. Where is the clip located so I can unplug it and make a jump. Then I'll be able to charge it myself.
Thanks

I never heard of that. The compressor should engage even if there is nothing in the system. You can still charge the low pressure side of the system with the car off which would gradually fill the system

 

[Kirby]

Actually, it is PARTIALLY TRUE. I am speaking from experience on GM products, I think it will be the same for BMW.

TRUE PART: There is a pressure switch on the low pressure side. When the pressure on the low pressure side is too low, the compressor will not run. This is to prevent damage to the seals.

FALSE PART: You can't charge the system.

REALITY:
1. Connect a charge kit to the system.
2. Liquid will flow into the low pressure side, and the pressure will increase.
3. The pressure switch will activate.
4. The compressor will come on.
5. The compressor will reduce the pressure.
6. The switch will deactivate, stopping the compressor.
7. More liquid flows, and the pressure increases.
8. Go to step 3.
9. Eventually the compressor will stay on as the system is charged completely.

Again, I have first hand experience with this on GM products. Bimmers may be the same. Why not give it a try?

 

[ldzpstnr]

My '85 318i AC did not work because it was low on fluid. Or out actually. I re-filled it and it worked great. From my knowledge MOST A/C systems in MOST cars are built like this nowadays to prevent people from frying there A/C pump. The fluid acts as a lubricant for the pump, so you dont want the pump running with no lubricant.... or you will be buying a new $400 pump.

Now my '85 318i had the old R-12 refigerent in it. That stuff costs ATLEAST $80 a pound, and I think the system calls for like 2.2 pounds or something.

I bought a re-fill kit at walmart for less then $20. I did NOT put the old R-12 coolant into it either. I used the newer R-134A (i think that it is now) coolant. I have heard lots of people say that you have to use the older R-12 collant. I used the new coolant, and made sure I bought the stuff that had compressor lube in it.

My A/C worked fine and blew cold right away with the newer coolant that is not suppose to work. I have heard mechanics say doing this will fry the A/C compressor. I think thats a bunch of BS. My car worked fine for a YEAR before I stripped the car and took it to the junk yard. I know a few other people that did this also on there cars(different makes) and to this day they work fine and dont leak.

I read something once that Dupont was losing its patent on the older R-12. So they made the new R-134A at that time and got a patent on it to keep raking in the cash. Dont know if its true or not..... but I dont trust big corporations so it sounds good to me.

You are at your own risk for using the R-134A. I did it and it worked fine with NO problems. THese are just my opinions of course, do what you think is best.

Aaron