e36 problems - air flow meter and air con

[vnitos]

gentlemen (and ladies)

please assist

my son's 318iS' is giving some hassles with the air flow meter and also the air con is not cooling anymore.

Air flow sensor - the car is idling erratic and also not pulling as before since it was on gravel road in december 2013. when we unplugged the air flow meter it idled, both the idling and the throttle response improved. Question - is it possible to have the air flow meter repaired or must it be replaced? The car was serviced about 5,000kms ago.

Air con - when switching the air con on, one can hear the pump kicking in, however it only blows hot air. according to the air con place the pump must be repaired/reconditioned - however they could not give us an indication of cost until they've removed the pump? Is that general practice to do that? could it be something other than the pump? btw the air con place did re-gas it?

 

[AlexYannoulatos]

I had the same problem with my E36 318i regarding the air flow meter. Idling was terrible, car used to cut out completely sometimes and pulling away was always a mission. I replaced the whole unit, so im not sure about getting it reconditioned. As far as i know, BMW is selling the part for over 6K. Ridiculous. So if you are planning to repace it, try a Bosch centre, goldwagen etc. The part is manufactured by Bosh,even when buying it from BMW.

Not too sure about the air-con story.
All the best!

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Oh and i think the air flow meter from Bosch was more a less R2000. Still alot of money but it made the car feel ten thousand times better.Good luck