[videoman535i]

I didn't find this particular problem listed anywhere, so here you are.

On two occasions I have found my AC blowing unconditioned air, that is, not being cooled. It was set to auto and was trying to cool the cabin that was warm from being in the sun for a time, so the fan was going at a good clip. Adjusting the temp, the fan speed, going in and of auto mode, turning the whole system off, nothing would get cold air to come out. Hitting the MAX AC button did the trick and in fact all I had to do was cycle it on and off for the cold air to come through. Behavior returned to normal.

I suppose I'm the only one to experience this?

[TJ_BMW]

I recall somewhere in the climate control settings is the ability to allow pure unfiltered air through the cabin, it's possible that it is enabled for your car.

Car, settings, climate control

[mugsix]

I had this same issue last weekend. Wasn't sure what was going on as it was the first time I'd used A/C. I had it set to LOW with the fan on full strength but it continued to blow warm air. After getting frustrated, I also hit the MAX AC button and it immediately started to cool the air. Since then I've resorted to cycling the MAC AC on and off to get things going. Admittedly, I've been meaning to consult the manual but haven't yet. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's experienced this!

[TurtleBoy]

There was another thread discussing this and I believe the solution was to make sure you turn the A/C on. The automatic temp does not do this and you must hit the Menu A/C button. The Max AC probably also does this given the description above.

[magbarn]

Is this your first BMW? There's a separate vent setting that adjusts the vent temp. Read the Manual lol...
When you go to Max AC it overrides both vents to max cool. The vent temp setting is SEPARATE setting from the temp setting on the dash

This should become a sticky lol...

Of course the A/C setting should be on also. The A/C setting is separate from the menu setting even though it's the same button. Pushing up goes to menu, pushing down turn a/c on and off.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by magbarn

Is this your first BMW? There's a separate vent setting that adjusts the vent temp. Read the Manual lol...
When you go to Max AC it overrides both vents to max cool. The vent temp setting is SEPARATE setting from the temp setting on the dash

This should become a sticky lol...

Of course the A/C setting should be on also. The A/C setting is separate from the menu setting even though it's the same button. Pushing up goes to menu, pushing down turn a/c on and off.

^^^This makes a big difference. No other German cars use this idea. Porsche, Audi, etc.. don’t have this temp wheel for the front vents.

[speuk]

It was so much easier on f15 to adjust on dash rather than have to dive into settings.

[TurtleBoy]

It is my understanding that you don't need to use those settings if you want the air coming out to be dependent on the auto temp setting. Only if you want the vent air to be colder or hotter than it would be normally for the setting chosen that you will need to make the adjustment. In other words, if you want it to just be "normal" AC air, set the temp in auto and hit the AC button. Is that not correct?

[speuk]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

It is my understanding that you don't need to use those settings if you want the air coming out to be dependent on the auto temp setting. Only if you want the vent air to be colder or hotter than it would be normally for the setting chosen that you will need to make the adjustment. In other words, if you want it to just be "normal" AC air, set the temp in auto and hit the AC button. Is that not correct?

Yes that is correct.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

It is my understanding that you don't need to use those settings if you want the air coming out to be dependent on the auto temp setting. Only if you want the vent air to be colder or hotter than it would be normally for the setting chosen that you will need to make the adjustment. In other words, if you want it to just be "normal" AC air, set the temp in auto and hit the AC button. Is that not correct?

Nope that's partially incorrect, try it yourself. The air will come out warmer if set to the middle than ice cold even on a hot day and the A/C set to 65deg (or 18deg for metric people). That's why we're getting the complaints of "A/C isn't working right except on Max A/C!!" complaints. The cabin temp setting does affect the temp somewhat but ultimately the temp of the upper vents is controlled by this setting so if you want ice cold A/C hitting your face/upper body, you have to make the adjustment to full cold.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by magbarn

Nope that's incorrect, try it yourself. The air will come out warmer if set to the middle than ice cold even on a hot day and the A/C set to 65deg. That's why we're getting the complaints of "A/C isn't working right except on Max A/C!!" complaints. The cabin temp does affect the temp somewhat but ultimately the temp of the upper vents is controlled by this setting so if you want ice cold A/C hitting your face/upper body. You have to make the adjustment to full cold.

I will have to try it since I believe that is the opposite of what people were saying in regards to the operation of the AC in another thread.

The way you describe doesn't really make sense from a process point of view but I guess could be correct. What you are describing seems analogous to the little wheels they had and that wasn't for the normal AC/heat operation but rather driver comfort. Unless I'm mis-remembering the descriptions.


Edit: I see you edited your post to more or less go along with what I was saying so maybe we are on the same page.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I will have to try it since I believe that is the opposite of what people were saying in regards to the operation of the AC in another thread.

The way you describe doesn't really make sense from a process point of view but I guess could be correct. What you are describing seems analogous to the little wheels they had and that wasn't for the normal AC/heat operation but rather driver comfort. Unless I'm mis-remembering the descriptions.

It is the old BMW color wheel in between the vents but now in more difficult to use electronic control. Lol

[speuk]

Originally Posted by magbarn

It is the old BMW color wheel in between the vents but now in more difficult to use electronic control. Lol

Spot on

[MystroX5]

The wheel/internal adjustment can be counter productive to your automatic climate control.
Think of it like using your ventilated seats and heated seats the same time. Just remember to adjust it to blue for the summer and red for the winter. In the fall and spring adjust it to the middle. I had to wrap my mind around why the wheel even exists with a modern climate system??
It's a BMW oddity like Porsche as they have a few more I don't think twice about.

[Qsilver7]

Interesting...there was a discussion on one of the f01 (7 series) forums about this same topic...the stratified air distribution BMW has used for decades.

The original purpose was to benefit the driver in that they use fresh air from the dash vent to help them stay alert on long trips...but the passengers could remain warm and toasty (or comfortable) as the temperature inside the cabin could be selected or set...yet the driver could direct cooler (or warmer) air toward their face.

This set-up also allowed rear passengers to direct fresh air to the rear of the car in those times that the sun was behind the car or on their side of the car...they could get fresh air to help cool/warm their section of the car without asking the driver to change the whole car.

Below is my reply to that 7 series thread...you can see some of the old diagrams from the previous generation BMW owners manual:

Originally Posted by drmel

Thanks for the clarifying questions... As in 98% of cars on this earth, I turned the dial to the coolest setting, ensured the A/C button was pressed and expected cool air. Silly me for not realizing I've purchased the Ultimate Over-Engineered Driving Machine :rofl:

[videoman535i]

So I've been driving this thing for 3 weeks and the only AC settings I've touched were the temp and the fan speed. Otherwise in full auto mode. Haven't had to do anything else.

I get in, start it up, drive away and the AC is functioning correctly. No problem for two weeks. Then suddenly one day I get in, start it up, drive away and the AC is not functioning. Didn't touch any of the settings. Tap MAX AC twice to toggle it on, then off, cool air returns and all is right with the world.

This is my 3rd BMW. Never saw this with either of the others.

[ScotsWhaHaeWi]

Originally Posted by videoman535i

So I've been driving this thing for 3 weeks and the only AC settings I've touched were the temp and the fan speed. Otherwise in full auto mode. Haven't had to do anything else.

I get in, start it up, drive away and the AC is functioning correctly. No problem for two weeks. Then suddenly one day I get in, start it up, drive away and the AC is not functioning. Didn't touch any of the settings. Tap MAX AC twice to toggle it on, then off, cool air returns and all is right with the world.

This is my 3rd BMW. Never saw this with either of the others.

Was it a bit muggy the day you noticed it? The flow/temp control buried in the climate settings makes a big difference. I was way mad at mine on a long trip when I first got the car. I had the AC cranked on full and it wasn't comfortable at all. Noisy and muggy.

Smart guys around here pointed out the extra step and it's all good. Good AC

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Interesting...there was a discussion on one of the f01 (7 series) forums about this same topic...the stratified air distribution BMW has used for decades.

The original purpose was to benefit the driver in that they use fresh air from the dash vent to help them stay alert on long trips...but the passengers could remain warm and toasty (or comfortable) as the temperature inside the cabin could be selected or set...yet the driver could direct cooler (or warmer) air toward their face.

This set-up also allowed rear passengers to direct fresh air to the rear of the car in those times that the sun was behind the car or on their side of the car...they could get fresh air to help cool/warm their section of the car without asking the driver to change the whole car.

Below is my reply to that 7 series thread...you can see some of the old diagrams from the previous generation BMW owners manual:

This is good. I remember seeing this in my E46 manual 16 years ago

The "middle" setting is tolerable when it isn't that hot. Drove the X5 yesterday when it hit 90 and leaving it in the middle setting was just too muggy and about as favorable as lukewarm water.

BMW makes this too confusing as there's a "synchronize" and "automatic" settings in the climate control menus but they do nothing to affect the upper vent setting. (with the exception of synchronize which does tie the upper vent settings to the driver's setting - confused you yet? lol) There should be a separate automatic upper vent setting that just basically follows the temp adjustment on the dashboard...

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by magbarn

BMW makes this too confusing as there's a "synchronize" and "automatic" settings in the climate control menus but they do nothing to affect the upper vent setting. (with the exception of synchronize which does tie the upper vent settings to the driver's setting - confused you yet? lol) There should be a separate automatic upper vent setting that just basically follows the temp adjustment on the dashboard...

It really shouldn't be that confusing. Just put the vent fine tuning on blue in the summer and red in the winter. If you want cooler or warmer air from the dash vents during those times, then adjust it to your liking.

"Synchronize" adjusts the passenger and rear to the driver's settings.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by wrickem

"Synchronize" adjusts the passenger and rear to the driver's settings.

Does synchronize do all settings or just the auto temp settings? I assumed the separate flow settings stay but the temp synchronizes, is that not the case? I guess I could just go try it. LOL

[videoman535i]

Originally Posted by ScotsWhaHaeWi

Was it a bit muggy the day you noticed it?

Humid conditions are pretty rare out in California unless you're right on the coast and even then it would be a cold fog, so no, not muggy.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Does synchronize do all settings or just the auto temp settings? I assumed the separate flow settings stay but the temp synchronizes, is that not the case? I guess I could just go try it. LOL

Synchronized locks front drivers, passenger and rear temp together. The flow settings seem to be independent to the auto climate settings.