Intermittent AC problem 18’ f30- Anyone have this?

Savageenterprise · 07-14-2019, 10:02 AM

So I was driving the other day and this happened to me again for the 3rd time randomly. I have the AC on blast and you can hear the blower running and changing speeds when I crank it up, but it’s like no air blows out.

When this happened I tried switching modes face/floor etc but nothing seems to work. Then I’ll shut my car off, and next time I go to drive everything will be working fine. I’m on week 3 of no problem with the AC and I’ve been using it everyday since it’s been 90 degrees out.

I don’t know how the f30 AC system is setup but I don’t think it’s a vacuum line issue because it would be stuck in one position or not work all the time. Maybe it’s a sticky actuator that occasionally sticks and causes this?

If anyone has experienced this please let me know. I want to take it in for service but if I have some input it may help pinpoint the issue. Thanks!

IraHayes · 07-14-2019, 11:48 AM

I’m inclined to say it’s not a vacuum issue either. I haven’t had a chance to delve into the HVAC system of these cars, but I believe all of the actuators are electric. Someone else had a similar issue sometime back, and this seemed to be the fix. See this thread:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1190743

And this fix:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...47832-9999.pdf

Livetodrive · 07-14-2019, 02:50 PM

Ice is accumulating on the outside of your A/C condenser during hot and humid days and is blocking the flow of air across the coil. After you shut off the car for awhile, the ice melts and the system works again.

Take the car to the dealer. They will reprogram the vehicle to increase the minimum evaporator temperature, and the problem will go away. If the system freezes again before you get to the dealer, just shut off the A/C for about 15 minutes to melt the ice.

This happened to me earlier this summer and the repair was done under the warranty.

Savageenterprise · 07-14-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livetodrive

Ice is accumulating on the outside of your A/C condenser during hot and humid days and is blocking the flow of air across the coil. After you shut off the car for awhile, the ice melts and the system works again.

Take the car to the dealer. They will reprogram the vehicle to increase the minimum evaporator temperature, and the problem will go away. If the system freezes again before you get to the dealer, just shut off the A/C for about 15 minutes to melt the ice.

This happened to me earlier this summer and the repair was done under the warranty.

Hey, really appreciate the input. I think this may be it because all 3 times it happened I was in the car for an extended period of time. I’ll give a call in tomorrow and see what they have to say.

Best,
Cemil

IraHayes · 07-14-2019, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savageenterprise

Hey, really appreciate the input. I think this may be it because all 3 times it happened I was in the car for an extended period of time. I’ll give a call in tomorrow and see what they have to say.

Best,
Cemil

Please let us know what happens.

19bis · 07-14-2019, 09:29 PM

This has been discussed in several recent threads. See TSBs 64 06 13 and B641216. You can get the evaporator temperature reprogrammed as mentioned above. Or turn up the intensity (fan speed) in Auto mode. Or set recirculation to manual.

Desertnate · 07-15-2019, 08:10 AM

How cold do you run your AC and what drive mode were you in when this happens?

I just completed the outbound leg of a 4.5 hour road trip in humid 90+ weather and didn't have an issues. Since I was driving on fairly sparse, straight interstate, I was running in Eco Pro (new to the car and was curious about the results) and had no issues, but I understand the AC doesn't run as hard when the car is in Eco Pro.

I have two years of warranty so I'd love to force this to fail so I can get the repair out of the way.

doctor80 · 07-15-2019, 08:40 AM

Can we code evaporator temperature in Esys?
What is the best method to do that, and to what temperature it should be set up?

Savageenterprise · 07-15-2019, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desertnate

How cold do you run your AC and what drive mode were you in when this happens?

I just completed the outbound leg of a 4.5 hour road trip in humid 90+ weather and didn't have an issues. Since I was driving on fairly sparse, straight interstate, I was running in Eco Pro (new to the car and was curious about the results) and had no issues, but I understand the AC doesn't run as hard when the car is in Eco Pro.

I have two years of warranty so I'd love to force this to fail so I can get the repair out of the way.

I run my car in Sport mode pretty much exclusively. I just prefer the throttle response and heavier steering feel so I don't bother with the other modes. I do a lot of stop and go but spend several hours in the car running around to a bunch of different locations. Maybe the highway driving wont cause the issue the same way it does when I'm doing stop and go. I'm calling the dealer in a few to see when I can bring it in

bimmer456 · 07-15-2019, 09:22 AM

I know the actuator opens and closes a few times after shutting off the car as i can hear it. Maybe there is a software update that it needs. I've also noticed that the side vent sometimes blows at a very low setting after shutting off the car for a short while before the car goes to sleep mode. At first I thought maybe your vents were closed but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Savageenterprise · 07-15-2019, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I know the actuator opens and closes a few times after shutting off the car as i can hear it. Maybe there is a software update that it needs. I've also noticed that the side vent sometimes blows at a very low setting after shutting off the car for a short while before the car goes to sleep mode. At first I thought maybe your vents were closed but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Yeah I hear the vents as well. Like I said it works 99% of the time but I cant be having this happen when it's 95 degrees out, especially if I'm driving with the baby.

Oh well

.... I have a svc appt for Thursday. Let's see what they say

Savageenterprise · 07-20-2019, 07:37 PM

Update:

When I took my car in I explained the problem and the SA said it would be tough to figure out due to the long period of time it takes for the issue to occur. I told him to let it idle for a couple hours, idc if that’s what it is I just want you guys to be able to recreate the problem. Sure enough the SA called me back later that day and said they were able to re create the problem and he was gonna have one of his A techs work on it.

Called me yesterday towards EOD and said they still haven’t pinpointed the issue and that they’ll touch base Monday. At least I got a loaner for the weekend but I hope they’re not ripping my dash apart. Shit never comes back the same after a dash rip out

07-14-2019, 10:02 AM	#1
Savageenterprise Captain 981 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 (E93) Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Out and about iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Chevy Tahoe [0.00] 2008 BMW E93 M3 [0.00]	Intermittent AC problem 18’ f30- Anyone have this? So I was driving the other day and this happened to me again for the 3rd time randomly. I have the AC on blast and you can hear the blower running and changing speeds when I crank it up, but it’s like no air blows out. When this happened I tried switching modes face/floor etc but nothing seems to work. Then I’ll shut my car off, and next time I go to drive everything will be working fine. I’m on week 3 of no problem with the AC and I’ve been using it everyday since it’s been 90 degrees out. I don’t know how the f30 AC system is setup but I don’t think it’s a vacuum line issue because it would be stuck in one position or not work all the time. Maybe it’s a sticky actuator that occasionally sticks and causes this? If anyone has experienced this please let me know. I want to take it in for service but if I have some input it may help pinpoint the issue. Thanks! __________________ "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men. Weak men create hard times."
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07-14-2019, 11:48 AM	#2
IraHayes First Lieutenant 154 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I’m inclined to say it’s not a vacuum issue either. I haven’t had a chance to delve into the HVAC system of these cars, but I believe all of the actuators are electric. Someone else had a similar issue sometime back, and this seemed to be the fix. See this thread: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1190743 And this fix: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...47832-9999.pdf
	Appreciate 1 Savageenterprise980.50 Quote

07-14-2019, 02:50 PM	#3
Livetodrive Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2016 340i X Drive Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Pa. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i XDrive [0.00]	Ice is accumulating on the outside of your A/C condenser during hot and humid days and is blocking the flow of air across the coil. After you shut off the car for awhile, the ice melts and the system works again. Take the car to the dealer. They will reprogram the vehicle to increase the minimum evaporator temperature, and the problem will go away. If the system freezes again before you get to the dealer, just shut off the A/C for about 15 minutes to melt the ice. This happened to me earlier this summer and the repair was done under the warranty.
	Appreciate 1 Savageenterprise980.50 Quote

07-14-2019, 09:29 PM	#6
19bis Private First Class 43 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2016 328i; 2018 230i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	This has been discussed in several recent threads. See TSBs 64 06 13 and B641216. You can get the evaporator temperature reprogrammed as mentioned above. Or turn up the intensity (fan speed) in Auto mode. Or set recirculation to manual.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 08:10 AM	#7
Desertnate Captain 391 Rep 849 Posts Drives: BMW 435i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Swansea, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 435i [0.00]	How cold do you run your AC and what drive mode were you in when this happens? I just completed the outbound leg of a 4.5 hour road trip in humid 90+ weather and didn't have an issues. Since I was driving on fairly sparse, straight interstate, I was running in Eco Pro (new to the car and was curious about the results) and had no issues, but I understand the AC doesn't run as hard when the car is in Eco Pro. I have two years of warranty so I'd love to force this to fail so I can get the repair out of the way.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 08:40 AM	#8
doctor80 Private 27 Rep 54 Posts Drives: F30, 328 Xdrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Can we code evaporator temperature in Esys? What is the best method to do that, and to what temperature it should be set up?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2019, 09:22 AM	#10
bimmer456 Major General 2951 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	I know the actuator opens and closes a few times after shutting off the car as i can hear it. Maybe there is a software update that it needs. I've also noticed that the side vent sometimes blows at a very low setting after shutting off the car for a short while before the car goes to sleep mode. At first I thought maybe your vents were closed but that doesn't appear to be the case.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-20-2019, 07:37 PM	#12
Savageenterprise Captain 981 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 (E93) Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Out and about iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Chevy Tahoe [0.00] 2008 BMW E93 M3 [0.00]	Update: When I took my car in I explained the problem and the SA said it would be tough to figure out due to the long period of time it takes for the issue to occur. I told him to let it idle for a couple hours, idc if that’s what it is I just want you guys to be able to recreate the problem. Sure enough the SA called me back later that day and said they were able to re create the problem and he was gonna have one of his A techs work on it. Called me yesterday towards EOD and said they still haven’t pinpointed the issue and that they’ll touch base Monday. At least I got a loaner for the weekend but I hope they’re not ripping my dash apart. Shit never comes back the same after a dash rip out __________________ "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men. Weak men create hard times."
	Appreciate 0 Quote