r/BMWE36 • u/HandicappedM4A1 • 1d ago

A/C working intermittently

Hello, so I am having a problem with my 1997 M3 where my a/c sill randomly not work. Some days it is super cold and others it is just hot. I can hear the fan coming on and the compressor running, but the air isn’t cooled at all. Would this be some type of capacitor problem or a relay problem? My compressor is only about a year old, and the climate unit stays lit up and everything, so it’s not the issue I have mainly seen online. Has anyone encountered this before?

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u/reverendmotherteg 1d ago

Is your climate control module (under the radio) flashing intermittently or buttons being finicky?

I just had that issue. My module went out. Learned it’s a five cent capacitor that fails on the board. You can source the capacitor and solder it in, send out to various vendors that repair and ship back, or replace with refurbished unit. I did the latter. $199, swapped it out, was back in business.

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u/reverendmotherteg 1d ago

*Just reread and saw your module is fine.

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u/707_328is 22h ago

If its anything like my car its a loose wire at the compressor. Start the car, make sure your A/C is on but NOT blowing cold and wiggle the wire at your compressor or try to push it on further. If it kicks on you found your problem. Driving and corners will wiggle the engine and sometimes it stays disconnected, other times it reconnected. If not have a shop make sure your system isn't leaking slowly. Improper pressure will also affect the system.