Re: AC on 82 320i (archive)

There is a small relay under the dash board. Access to it from the glove box and is located in the left hand side area. This sends a signal to the clutch to turn on when the switch is activated and also (I believe)in conjunction with the switch controls the tempeture. Make sure this is operating. Mine was always blowing straight air and I had to convert to the r14 type, fairly simple to do, all parts bought at a local auto store. Hard part was properly disposing of my old r12 refrigerant (sp)Check out your condersore, make sure no leakes. even very small ones.
hope it helps

John
81 320is

I don't know why, but my small relay was mounted under the driver side dash. Access is via under the black cardboard lower fascia panel. You will see the green wires (some with blue, some brown stripe) that go to the fan switch and the electrical inside the in car condensor. My relay was bad too, the somehow it corroded, and that in turn caused a short circuit. Now here's the funny part, rather than blowing the fuse, it melted a wire inside the fusebox, I think the green w/brown strip that is the hot wire. I pulled my whole AC system and started to rewire the fan switch to control the blower for defrost before I discovered that that was the problem. I didn't want the AC anyways and plan to sell it, once I get it cleaned up. The relay I have is the new one I just bought, it was under $30 bucks, but sorry, if you want it, you will have to buy the whole system. I need the $$$.

Good luck

HTH,

Mark

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