[Blacktemplar]

It's 14c outside and raining. The aircon is on auto, set at 19c and I've been in the car for a while. At which point the aircon in its infinite wisdom decides that I'm getting too comfy at a constant temperature and decides to wake me up a bit by blasting cold air out of every vent. Except the rear ones which blow warm.

It only blows lukewarm air if I push both sides up to about 24c, and will only go properly toasty above that.

Even when the front is behaving, the rear vents are often blowing freezing cold air.

So is my aircon (a) possessed, (b) broken or (c) just shite?

[Soul_Glo]

When was the last time it was recharged? Is it due for a recharge?

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Broken_Gearbox

When was the last time it was recharged? Is it due for a recharge?

Car is 8 months old so I doubt it needs a recharge

[....,,,,..,,..]

I had a huge battle on Monday at dealers about mine.

Works fine majority of the time, unless you drive more than 50 mins with aircon on 17c or below and it's warm.

Then after about 50 mins, the passenger side vents are blowing warm air, however drivers side still cold (ish).

Dealer said, your air con is working fine, our amazing machine says your lying.

Now unable to use the car (without sweating my tits off) to drive to daughters etc.

The follow up customer service call went rapidly down hill.

[Soul_Glo]

Not to insult your intelligence OP but do you have two knurled wheels for red and blue? Has one been knocked toward red?

[Blacktemplar]

Thought of that - the little wheel above the centre vents? Tried it at every setting to no avail

[HighlandPete]

This sort of fault has been discussed before. I'm sure if you search for topics on the general F30 forum, you'll find a couple of faults are possible.

Our friends over the pond have had similar problems. I recall software being one issue, plus something to do with the cooling fan.

[moonshine]

^ yip it is a known issue. I had problems with random cold air being blasted into the cabin.
It is a software update to recalibrate the AC compressor pump / fan sensitivity IIRC.

It worked for me and never had a repeat problem after the recalibration
Air-con (randomly)blowing cold http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1239514

[stu14t]

If it's a known issue It may be better to contact BMWCS direct and try moaning at them first. They have access to the PuMA cases and I've found it speeds up the process. It appears dealers, for some reason, are reluctant to raise PuMA cases and with my particular fault just fobbed me off with some DIY fixes that did nothing. I became frustrated and called Customer Services. They acknowledged it was a known fault straight away, raised a PuMA case and asked me which dealer in my area I wanted to fix the problem.

[lethbridge]

I have had the same issue from new (2 years old now) and have been putting up with it to date as the dealer is adamant all is OK...

This seems to be a fairly random problem and usually only shows up on longer journeys so the dealer can't re-create and of course won't take my word for it... So I've followed your advice and taken it up with BMWCS so hopefully they'll get the dealer to do the update/re-calibration.

[Bibbles]

Mine gave up the ghost completely last week in time for the hot weather. Just blew out warm air no matter what setting. Currently in the dealers getting the condenser replaced. No arguments or issues getting it looked at and changed under warranty but that's probably because it's properly broken rather than intermittent. It has cost me a new G31 540i though whilst I was waiting around yesterday.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

It has cost me a new G31 540i though whilst I was waiting around yesterday.

Don't you just hate 'cheap' warranty solutions!

[Blacktemplar]

Okay, fault reported to BMWCS, let's see what happens......

[lethbridge]

Hope you get on better than I did - my response from BMW CS was:

Thanks for your email about the air conditioning in your BMW 3 Series. I’m sorry to hear about this – I can understand your frustration.

We’re aware there are people on forums talking about the air conditioning on our cars. We also come across owners who’ve had a similar experience to you. But this makes up a small number of BMWs sold in your model range.

Most of our Centres are independently owned businesses and have their own processes and procedures. If you’re not getting a satisfactory answer from BMW XXXX, I’d recommend going to another BMW Centre for a second opinion.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by stu14t

If it's a known issue It may be better to contact BMWCS direct and try moaning at them first. They have access to the PuMA cases and I've found it speeds up the process. It appears dealers, for some reason, are reluctant to raise PuMA cases and with my particular fault just fobbed me off with some DIY fixes that did nothing. I became frustrated and called Customer Services. They acknowledged it was a known fault straight away, raised a PuMA case and asked me which dealer in my area I wanted to fix the problem.

Which dealer did you go through initially? Some seem to be better than others.

[moonshine]

^ i use Douglas Park in Hillington industrial estate - they are pretty accommodating IMO - Colin one of the Service advisors - and i have had pretty good dealings with him efficient and accommodating

[stu14t]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Which dealer did you go through initially? Some seem to be better than others.

The car went to Eastern first and then to Peter Vardy.

To be honest I wasn't that chuffed to go to Vardy's originally. However, they have changed my mind. Correctly diagnosed the fault missed by Eastern, fitted the new part and solved the problem.

They have been continued to excel too. Went in to get the car serviced but there was a problem with bringing it in too early. I'd checked to see if it as ok to bring in but when I got there they said I had to wait another 1000 miles. They admitted they had got it wrong and offered the collection and drop off as soon as the car's ready to go in with no waiting.

[stu14t]

Originally Posted by lethbridge

Most of our Centres are independently owned businesses and have their own processes and procedures. If you’re not getting a satisfactory answer from BMW XXXX, I’d recommend going to another BMW Centre for a second opinion.

Nice to feel like a valued customer. Maybe if you went to a Mercedes dealer XXX bought a new car because your not getting satisfactory answer from BMW customer services.

Has BMW customer services been outsourced to Vodafone?

[Blacktemplar]

Well, here's what BMWCS had to say for themselves;

"We’re aware there are people on forums talking about issues similar to yours. But this makes up small number of BMWs sold.

We also log and monitor all customer concerns about our products. This includes using feedback, like yours, to carry out monthly reviews of our Centre’s customer satisfaction levels – so thanks for letting us know.

We’re not technically trained here at Customer Services. Our Centres are our eyes and ears and we rely on their technical expertise. With this in mind, the best thing to do is to have your car looked at by your local BMW Centre. I can’t guarantee we’ll help with the repair costs, but I can promise we’ll look into this fully and fairly for you"

That's nice, offering to help with the cost of repair on an 8 month old car... about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. The first paragraph speaks volumes, almost a carbon copy of the response to lethbridge and feels more than a bit defensive. To paraphrase "Yes sir, we know you have an unacceptable problem with your very expensive new BMW but we don't give a flying fuck so you can moan all you like on internet forums but we're not interested now we have your cash"

Ho hum, will need to go to the stealer now. It's got to the stage where after 15-20 mins driving the aircon is just pumping out freezing air no matter what. One other thing I noticed is that on Auto, the fan speed doesn't vary at all, no matter what the temperature. Is that normal? On my Audi the fan sped up to try and bring the cabin temperature to the set value as quick as possible, then slowed down once that was done. Of course, the Audi also had one-push zone synchronization

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Ho hum, will need to go to the stealer now. It's got to the stage where after 15-20 mins driving the aircon is just pumping out freezing air no matter what. One other thing I noticed is that on Auto, the fan speed doesn't vary at all, no matter what the temperature. Is that normal? On my Audi the fan sped up to try and bring the cabin temperature to the set value as quick as possible, then slowed down once that was done. Of course, the Audi also had one-push zone synchronization

What intensity setting are you using? Fan speed will go up and down automatically, more speed range as you use higher intensity settings.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What intensity setting are you using? Fan speed will go up and down automatically, more speed range as you use higher intensity settings.

Intensity setting? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick, but I thought if I just set the temperature, on Auto the fan speed would 'automatically' vary to reach the desired level.....

EDIT: Just read a Spam forum and the 'intensity level' is the fan speed setting which is the max fan speed the system will use...

Is it just me or is the BMW system unnecessarily complicated? I've never owned a car where there are so many 'microadjustment' options that can screw up your settings. I've had Aldis for the past 10 years so am used to simple, logical and straightforward controls...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

Intensity setting? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick, but I thought if I just set the temperature, on Auto the fan speed would 'automatically' vary to reach the desired level.....

EDIT: Just read a Spam forum and the 'intensity level' is the fan speed setting which is the max fan speed the system will use...

Is it just me or is the BMW system unnecessarily complicated? I've never owned a car where there are so many 'microadjustment' options that can screw up your settings. I've had Aldis for the past 10 years so am used to simple, logical and straightforward controls...

I don't see it as complicated, simply more advanced with more comfort features than most basic climate control systems.

Intensity settings allow the user to control the general amount of air flow, some like more gentle flows. Even then it does 'flex' the air flows on demand automatically, just requires more extremes in temperature to speed the flows. Higher the setting, the more response to temperature changes with more flow possible.

Perhaps BMW should just leave the more advanced systems for higher up the ranges, 5-series and above, where its been for more than 15-years.