BMW 320i 2008 A/C throwing hot air

safal · 06-28-2021, 07:54 PM

Hello Guys,

I recently installed an Android Stereo unit on my BMW 320i 2008 model myslef. After the install the A/C on the car is only blowing hot air. Also, the new Android unit doesnt have sound even after connecting an AUX cable from the unit to the AUX IN center console port.

Looksl like messed up the wiring somewhere, when running diagnostic using the Carista tool, i get 8 codes related to the A/C so i am thinking this might be some electical issue. i removed the IHKA panel and checked the cables and they seem to be all connected properly and the pins were ok too. However, there is a wire that is connected to the IHKA that runs from another unit which has the parking sensor button is damaged (pic attached of the wire i am talking about). Can this be the issue?

Please help!

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:00 AM

Cables aren't seated correctly. Make sure the plug is flushed before clipping. These are the two I am talking about.

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:03 AM

Hi thanks for your reply, i am pretty confident that the cables are plugged correctly but i will recheck again.
Could you please let me know what flushing a plug is? Is it cleaning it with air?

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safal

Hi thanks for your reply, i am pretty confident that the cables are plugged correctly but i will recheck again.
Could you please let me know what flushing a plug is? Is it cleaning it with air?

Ah, I guess its an american term.

adv.
4 on the same level or plane; evenly: The door shuts flush with the wall.
5 in direct contact: set flush against the edge.

Make sure when you push the plug in...it sits flat...when you push it in it should force the lever to start moving into the closed position. Hope that makes sense.

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:10 AM

Thanks for that, yes it makes sense.

The above picture is just for reference and not my actual picture. The wire that i showed above is damaged, would that be causng this issue with the AC?

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:10 AM

Let me know how things turn out. I ran into the same problem and that was the solution. Those clips will close and it will appear to be seated properly, in my case it wasn't. I can't speak to the ribbon cable, appears intact.

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safal

Thanks for that, yes it makes sense.

The above picture is just for reference and not my actual picture. The wire that i showed above is damaged, would that be causng this issue with the AC?

Can you be more specific, what damage are you seeing with the flat ribbon cable. You should be able to straighten it out...

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:13 AM

When I approach these situation we know a couple of things. Your AC was working before the radio install. Let me do a little research on the ribbon cable, one moment

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

Can you be more specific, what damage are you seeing with the flat ribbon cable. You should be able to straighten it out...

The ribbon cable has a hole on it exposing the wire and is damaged, it looks like that happened when i was putting the frame back together and it got caught in one of the clip!

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

When I approach these situation we know a couple of things. Your AC was working before the radio install. Let me do a little research on the ribbon cable, one moment

Thank you so much! Really appreciate your help and time

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:16 AM

I have the same wire. It manages my heated seats I believe. Should have no bearing on your AC. Double check those plugs I circled if you can. it 1221am here so ill likley be going to bed soon.

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I have the same wire. It manages my heated seats I believe. Should have no bearing on your AC. Double check those plugs I circled if you can. it 1221am here so ill likley be going to bed soon.

Hmm, i dont have heated seats so not sure what that is for!

Sure, thanks for your help!

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safal

The ribbon cable has a hole on it exposing the wire and is damaged, it looks like that happened when i was putting the frame back together and it got caught in one of the clip!

Got it, if it is damaged to the extent of being broken I would fix...otherwise put some electrical tape over the exposed part.

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:25 AM

Just tool a photo of mine...that all I have coming from that wire. I assume your wire controls whatever options you have down there on the panel.

safal · 06-29-2021, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

Just tool a photo of mine...that all I have coming from that wire. I assume your wire controls whatever options you have down there on the panel.

Really appreciate this!

Yeah, i might need to get that replaced!

InnerBlueSkies · 06-29-2021, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safal

Really appreciate this!

Yeah, i might need to get that replaced!

Yes, or you can fix it yourself. Android install was a tough one for me, must of had it in and out of the dash at least 6 times. Cable management nightmare!

Shoel212 · 05-29-2024, 11:20 PM

Hey folks,

I had the same problem where my air-conditioning only blew hot air after installing one of these CarPlay android boxes. I was pretty sure that I damaged the ribbon cable going to the climate control panel when re-installing one of the panels.

I am happy to share the good news that following the advice of others to reseat the plugs going into the climate control panel did the trick! Nice cold ac blowing again!

Hopefully this post helps someone else!

06-28-2021, 07:54 PM	#1
safal New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW 320i 2008 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	BMW 320i 2008 A/C throwing hot air Hello Guys, I recently installed an Android Stereo unit on my BMW 320i 2008 model myslef. After the install the A/C on the car is only blowing hot air. Also, the new Android unit doesnt have sound even after connecting an AUX cable from the unit to the AUX IN center console port. Looksl like messed up the wiring somewhere, when running diagnostic using the Carista tool, i get 8 codes related to the A/C so i am thinking this might be some electical issue. i removed the IHKA panel and checked the cables and they seem to be all connected properly and the pins were ok too. However, there is a wire that is connected to the IHKA that runs from another unit which has the parking sensor button is damaged (pic attached of the wire i am talking about). Can this be the issue? Please help! Attached Images
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06-29-2021, 01:00 AM	#2
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1097 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	Cables aren't seated correctly. Make sure the plug is flushed before clipping. These are the two I am talking about. Attached Images
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06-29-2021, 01:03 AM	#3
safal New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW 320i 2008 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Hi thanks for your reply, i am pretty confident that the cables are plugged correctly but i will recheck again. Could you please let me know what flushing a plug is? Is it cleaning it with air?
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06-29-2021, 01:10 AM	#5
safal New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW 320i 2008 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that, yes it makes sense. The above picture is just for reference and not my actual picture. The wire that i showed above is damaged, would that be causng this issue with the AC?
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06-29-2021, 01:10 AM	#6
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1097 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	Let me know how things turn out. I ran into the same problem and that was the solution. Those clips will close and it will appear to be seated properly, in my case it wasn't. I can't speak to the ribbon cable, appears intact.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-29-2021, 01:13 AM	#8
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1097 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	When I approach these situation we know a couple of things. Your AC was working before the radio install. Let me do a little research on the ribbon cable, one moment
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-29-2021, 01:16 AM	#11
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1097 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	I have the same wire. It manages my heated seats I believe. Should have no bearing on your AC. Double check those plugs I circled if you can. it 1221am here so ill likley be going to bed soon.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-29-2021, 01:25 AM	#14
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1097 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	Just tool a photo of mine...that all I have coming from that wire. I assume your wire controls whatever options you have down there on the panel. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-29-2024, 11:20 PM	#17
Shoel212 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW e90 2009 Join Date: May 2024 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Hey folks, I had the same problem where my air-conditioning only blew hot air after installing one of these CarPlay android boxes. I was pretty sure that I damaged the ribbon cable going to the climate control panel when re-installing one of the panels. I am happy to share the good news that following the advice of others to reseat the plugs going into the climate control panel did the trick! Nice cold ac blowing again! Hopefully this post helps someone else!
	Appreciate 0 Quote