Aircon help - E46 330ci

[mwy1964]

Realised yesterday that my Aircon is not working.. The climate control facia all appears normal the Aircon button is illuminated etc and yet it does not chill... Checked under the bonnet, nothing obvious wrong, and the compressor clutch does NOT appear to be engaging...

I have had the Hedgehog resistor replaced 2years agon and re-gassed 18 months ago.. Thats not to say that these could have failed etc...

Any ideas or known problems...?

Thanks in advance

Mark...

[blackspider]

You need to have the level of gas checked,this is done on a aircon machine-chances are its too low-you may have a leak,likely to be the condensor at the front.
I take it the interior fans are working

Edited by blackspider on Friday 6th April 14:28

[mwy1964]

Thanks BS - Climate control fans etc are working fine....

Is there a system pressure switch that can be bypassed to prove if it is low gas pressure...? I would presume so as every other aircon system I have worked on has one to protect the compressor... Whereabouts is it hidden...?

Thanks in advance...

Out of interest what is the financial damage for a condensor...?

[squeezebm]

Mate, DO NOT by-Pass the LP Switch to see if the compressor runs with no gas in system!!! Your leak will (99% gaurantee) not to be in your condenser ,as this is the High pressure side of the refrigeration system in your car and therefore would not have lasted 18 Months! but instead approx 18 Hrs. Take your car to a reputable A/C re-gassing man get him to check the system over IF it needs re-gassing ask him to add a Uv dye to the refrigerant so he can detect any leaks or if you want to spend more money get the system pressure tested.The leak will almost certainly be in the evaporator so unless you want to have your car & dashboard dismantled just get it re-gassed every year or so . Works out @ about a £1 a week to have WORKING A/C.

[mwy1964]

Thanks for the advice...

I discovered after my last post that the car already has uv leak stuff in it, the garage that last topped up the system added it...

I shall take it to them Tuesday....

Thanks for all your help...

[squeezebm]

No problem