Air Conditioning Problems

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Hi,
I'm having problems with the Air Conditioning unit in my 1996 323i Coupe.
Firstly, the LCD display flickers on and off with irregularity. When the panel works, the temp control works fine, but the fan is stuck at low speed, despite the display showing full power. Incidentally, the panel seems to work fine if the engine is cool.
Secondly, when the A/C is turned on, the fan makes a horrible grating noise (as if its grating metal!) and white smoke is blown into the cabin.
I have had the air-con belt changed as I was told this was cracked, but it would seem there is more to this. Searching the archived forums reveals a possible resistor problem for the variable fan sensor, unlikely gas leakage (white smoke?) and errors reported in the computer.
My local dealer dismissed any of this, and said I required a new air con panel first (at the cost of �230! ) and only then could he identify the problem (with additional cost no doubt!)
Does anyone please have any suggestions or similar experiences to help?
I've just clocked in 120,000 miles and it otherwise drives as sweet as on the first day.
Many thanks, Nitin 

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nitster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1	Topic: Air Conditioning Problems Posted: 26-September-2003 at 18:05
	Hi, I'm having problems with the Air Conditioning unit in my 1996 323i Coupe. Firstly, the LCD display flickers on and off with irregularity. When the panel works, the temp control works fine, but the fan is stuck at low speed, despite the display showing full power. Incidentally, the panel seems to work fine if the engine is cool. Secondly, when the A/C is turned on, the fan makes a horrible grating noise (as if its grating metal!) and white smoke is blown into the cabin. I have had the air-con belt changed as I was told this was cracked, but it would seem there is more to this. Searching the archived forums reveals a possible resistor problem for the variable fan sensor, unlikely gas leakage (white smoke?) and errors reported in the computer. My local dealer dismissed any of this, and said I required a new air con panel first (at the cost of �230! ) and only then could he identify the problem (with additional cost no doubt!) Does anyone please have any suggestions or similar experiences to help? I've just clocked in 120,000 miles and it otherwise drives as sweet as on the first day. Many thanks, Nitin

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westley Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1	Posted: 26-September-2003 at 22:33
	Hi Mate, I have had a problem with my aircon in my 1998 318is. The main aircon controller kept flickering on and off and the fan was making a strange noise. Last weekend I pulled this unit out and stripped the little fan down. Their was a load of siht in it. The fan sounds perfect now. After putting it all back together the unit kept flickering on and off.After a little more investigation it turns out the main connector block was a bit slack. To solve this I wedged a little bit of cardboard wrapped in insulting tape next to the main block. This has done the trick so far. P.s To remove this unit just pull your stereo out and push it out from the back. Not sure if this post will totaly solve your problem good luck

Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19-July-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 59	Posted: 29-September-2003 at 19:44
	Don�t go to the main stealer. I had this fault (the flickering on and off, especially when warmed up) It was the capacitor. The stealer wanted �250. I have a mate who is handy with a soldering iron total cost 29p (and a couple of pints, he wouldn�t let me pay him). Check out this website http://www.macadamizer.com/bmwfix.html
	Dave E

cabrio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 3	Posted: 09-October-2003 at 21:49
	wedging abit of card between the blue connector and the black unit case definately works (for a while). Sometimes just wiggling it a bit works Easier way to get at the aircon unit is to Place your hand into the slot underneath the computer palm side up, feel for the hole in the roof of the compartment and lever the computer out carefully. You can now get at the connector (on the left hand side) without having to remove the whole unit. The computer simply pushes back into place It is also possible to clean the fan by using a hoover on the little grill on the right (this is the internal ambient temperature sensor) Please note this detail is from my experience with my 1997 328i converible (e36), I'm sure all e36's are the same

small red e30 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05-October-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 9	Posted: 10-October-2003 at 22:31
	common bit to go wrong is the a/c panel with or without a/c recirculation (opt527)�250 gets u a recon unit from main dealer. Heater endstage v.v.v.v.v.v.common if stuck on really hot or cold. we do 20 or so a week!!!