E46 330ci Aircon shutting off intermittently

[Venom]

Three months ago replaced the Compressor with a Denso compressor, replaced the expansion valve and drier. What is happening now is when it is very hot outside and the car is driving for enough time to get the entire engine system hot, the cold air from the aircon turns to normal outside temp air. Took the car to an auto elec and he could not get it to replicate. They said all gauges and gas level was 100%. When the car is in the garage and I turn the car and aircon on, it works fine. I was driving with the top down for about an hour the other day and the sun started to burn down, so I put the wind deflector up and aircon on, and nothing, no cold air at all. But, if I allow the car to drive for a while it starts to fail. The car is VERY well maintained, so no neglect.

Any ideas?

 

[samman325]

Doesnt sound typical of a failing final stage resistor but have you ever had this changed? Was a common issue on the e46's.

 

[Venom]

Doesnt sound typical of a failing final stage resistor but have you ever had this changed? Was a common issue on the e46's.

Thanks Samman325, are you refering to this?




If so, I will be replacing this in the next two weeks, but I think it is something else. Not sure what. A symptom of this resistor failing is eratic air flow and my air flow is fine. (But as you may note, I am changing this resistor as I also suspect that it may be playing a role in this problem. I am starting the expensive exersize of replacing parts to fix the unknown problem)

Hoping that someone can ID this problem. Thanks again.

 

[samman325]

Yes i am referring to the item pictured. Other options may be wiring or control unit itself but unlikely. I still suggest changing the resistor and seeing if it makes any difference. Does diagnosis fault codes on the HVAC system show anything? All the best.

 

[Venom]

They never ran a diagnostic. It's one of those problems where I need it to happen so we can see what is wrong. If can get it to replicate...oddly enough that would be first prize, I could then quickly pull in there and get them to plug in the computer and see.

 

[samman325]

But a fault code may be stored from a previous incident which could point you in the right direction

 

[SP33DYV]

FSR only controls the fan speed. When the FSR fails, the fan will blow, even when the car is switched off completely and can even drain the battery over night. This sounds more like a compressor problem.