Greetings and Salutations - along with a f'in A/C question

[mkaehly]

Well. . .sold my 97 M3/4 and I just purchased an 88 M3 w/128k - she is a one owner (now 2 owner) and had all the service records. . .lucky me!! F/R bumpers and wing needed paint badly (done and cheap!) and she goes into the shop this week for some minor (1300.00 worth. . .E36 tensioner, tie rods, rotors, exhaust man. bolts, flex disk/Guibo, muffler bearing) of preventive maintence!!

I really look forward to spending more time here with all of you - looks like you have some good peeps!

I have a question for the ages - A/C or not to A/C?

I know that troubleshooting A/C problems can be a PIA and I am debating yanking the whole thing. . .but I really love A/C! - Whenever I engage (push) the a/c button the fuse blows - I can move the fan with my hand so I know it's not siezed???

Mechanic thinks that it is the a/c blower motor and to R&R with new blower motor assembly it's going to cost 400 bones.

Any other thoughts of what it could be?

If anyone is in the Denver area - drop me a line and I'll buy

Thanks in advance. . .and great forum!

[Magnus]

Welcome

I too spend in the name of preventive maintenance :sosad:

Anyway, I would leave the A/C out to see if you could live without it this summer, you'll save a few hp's. You can remove the components after the warm weather. If you can't live without the A/C, just hook it back up when you start melting.

[EVOIIIM3]

Welcome, you know this car will cost a bunch more to upkeep then the E36?!

I have had my AC belt off for 3 years now and don't miss it at all!

Denver never really gets all that hot, and it's more fun to drive with the sun roof open & the windows down!

On a stock engine the AC KILLS performace! Expecially at altitude!

[mkaehly]

Originally posted by Magnus
Welcome

I too spend in the name of preventive maintenance :sosad:

Anyway, I would leave the A/C out to see if you could live without it this summer, you'll save a few hp's. You can remove the components after the warm weather. If you can't live without the A/C, just hook it back up when you start melting.

Yes - I think that will be my plan. . .as much as I drive (about 100 miles a week) I should be able to live without it. . .my 83 GTI did not have it. . .and that is when I lived in the opressive humidity of PA. . .God I miss that car!

[mkaehly]

Originally posted by EVOIIIM3
Welcome, you know this car will cost a bunch more to upkeep then the E36?!

I have had my AC belt off for 3 years now and don't miss it at all!

Denver never really gets all that hot, and it's more fun to drive with the sun roof open & the windows down!

On a stock engine the AC KILLS performace! Expecially at altitude!

The altitude out here kills everything

2/60 A/C system in my future!

Thanks

[Oddjob]

I was having trouble with the A/C blowing the fuse when I turned on the system. I replaced the coil on the front of the compressor rather than replacing the whole compressor. The part cost $120 and now my A/C is ice cold.

[mkaehly]

that would be "cool"! (pun intended)

did you replace it yourself? was it a bitch?

[Oddjob]

It's not really a do it yourself job. The compressor had to be removed to get the front off (the coil). Then the leads had to be soldered on and the system recharged.

[AlpineRunner]

*reviving old thread*

My 30amp fuse blows when the A/C is turned on, this also kills the entire HVAC system. I don't think it's related to the radiator fan because those still work fine (I have the 318 fan switch). Is it definitely something in the A/C blower motor?

[UNHCLL]

AC blower more is the same as heater blower motor I think...?

I would be suspect of the wires going to AC compressor, or the wires behind the front center panel(behind grills, infront of radiator) that go to the Aux. fan. These can very often become chaffed, and short out.

HTH,

[D///M3]

Originally posted by AlpineRunner
*reviving old thread*

My 30amp fuse blows when the A/C is turned on, this also kills the entire HVAC system. I don't think it's related to the radiator fan because those still work fine (I have the 318 fan switch). Is it definitely something in the A/C blower motor?

It's still popping fuses Mike!? I'd check out or start where Chris suggests- around the compressor/ aux fan, etc.... We should have checked it out while you were down- I forgot!!! :sosad:

Keep Cool
Don

[Mmark]

You can't rule out the aux fan yet.
It may work, but, if it is drawing too much current, which electric motors do when failing, the fuse will do its job.
I'm not saying it is the problem, just that it possibly could be .
m

[petro]

just a vote for the wires near the compressor...

More exactly the wires within an inch of the compressor where they get routed in strange directions. and they terminate into a brownish looking plug.

That is exactly what mine was. wires frayed and shorting...

AC now works like a charm... just need freon.

[UNHCLL]

Originally posted by D///M3
Keep Cool
Don

Ohhhh thats just cold Don!




hehe, get it? Cold.. AC... Keep Cool?



ok ok, back to my corner of silence with the Dunce cap. :p

[aaronmjr]

Originally posted by petro
just need freon.

"Im sure in 1985 freon is available at every corner drugstore, but in 1955 its a little hard to come by! I dont know how to say this.... but Marty I'm afraid your stuck here!"

I stole Chris' dunce cap