A/C shuts off when you are low on fuel? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

nota_troll · 9th August 2007, 23:37

Interesting thing happened to me today. I tried to search but found nothing to support my instance.

I went to a client's office clearly in need of gas but I was running late. The On Board computer showed 32 miles of range remaining. I returned to my car to return to the office and the A/C did not work. Fan speed showed one thing but no air movement whatsoever.

I refueled and presto the air is back on and flowing cold. Anyone else have this?

mottati · 9th August 2007, 23:40

probably a final stage resistor on its way out. Don't think it's a design feature. A restart will often reset things in the beginning of "failure mode."

hgh · 9th August 2007, 23:52

On my 2002 M5 with 60+K miles. Had the A/C unit changed prior to that for a different issue (but not the controls).

Both times this happened to me, I was under 40km fuel range. After refilling, the A/C worked again.

Not sure if it is a coincidence or a feature.

nota_troll · 10th August 2007, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgh

On my 2002 M5 with 60+K miles. Had the A/C unit changed prior to that for a different issue (but not the controls).

Both times this happened to me, I was under 40km fuel range. After refilling, the A/C worked again.

Not sure if it is a coincidence or a feature.

I'll have my A/C checked out. I'm just glad I'm not the only one.

SoCalJD · 10th August 2007, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by nota_troll

I'll have my A/C checked out. I'm just glad I'm not the only one.

>>>

I've had periodic A/C shutdown problems...but I don't think it's ever been related to fuel level.

pvr · 10th August 2007, 03:25

Funny, but in the E60 M5, that would mean that my AC wouldn't be working half the time. Dang thing guzzles so much petrol, I'm almost always low

.

BKH · 10th August 2007, 07:03

A few weeks ago on the way to Las Vegas I had range showing of 11 miles - A/C was going full blast.

b757236 · 10th August 2007, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by nota_troll

Interesting thing happened to me today. I tried to search but found nothing to support my instance.

I went to a client's office clearly in need of gas but I was running late. The On Board computer showed 32 miles of range remaining. I returned to my car to return to the office and the A/C did not work. Fan speed showed one thing but no air movement whatsoever.

I refueled and presto the air is back on and flowing cold. Anyone else have this?

Final Stage.

TopEnd · 10th August 2007, 17:15

Can You guys explain the whole final stage resistor thing to me. Thanks!

M5MJ · 10th August 2007, 19:11

Yep, definitely your final stage resistor unit. Had the same symptoms as you and replaced mine last week. Problem solved. Part was around $80 and took 10 minutes to install. The new part has been completely redesigned. Do a search in the archives... lots of people have had this problem on their E39's.