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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Heater control valve stuck??



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      04-15-2024, 09:32 AM   #1
patsf1
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Heater control valve stuck??

I have no cold air coming out of fans just heat, I think the heater control valve might be stuck open? Any ideas? Car has been stood for a few months
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      04-15-2024, 10:29 AM   #2
gbalthrop
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patsf1 View Post
I have no cold air coming out of fans just heat, I think the heater control valve might be stuck open? Any ideas? Car has been stood for a few months
I don't know anything about your 320d of unstated build Mo/Yr or Last-7 of VIN. However, BMW diagnostic software (INPA/ISTA) is helpful in diagnosing an IHKA issue such as yours. See attached INPA pdf.

Does cool air come from vents ~ one minute AFTER Cold Start? If so, the coolant has NOT had time to get hot, but your Refrigeration System SHOULD be working. INPA will show you (1) Refrigerant Pressure & (2) Evaporator Temp.

If Refrigerant Pressure is also in ~ 13 bar range with engine/compressor operating (or if it increases significantly over pressure with engine OFF) & Evaporator Temp is < 10C, then your compressor is "Pumping". Manifold gauges (connected to "High" & "Low" side Schrader Valves) would show similar Pressure Values.

Most US E9x vehicles do NOT have the Heater Valve, but INPA or ISTA can "Activate" or "Trigger" that valve, to check for proper operation.

There are MANY possible causes of "Lack of Refrigeration", including:
1) LOW Refrigerant Pressure; IF LESS than ~ 3 bar at rest, compressor should NOT operate;
2) Compressor Activation wiring issues; Determine if your compressor has "Clutch" or "Valve"?
3) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor issues, or issues with its connector/wiring;
4) IHKA Module/ wiring issues.

If you do NOT have access to a Scan Tool or software that can display IHKA "Live Data" such as Refrigerant Pressure or Evaporator Temp, we may still be able to help. If you have Manifold Pressure Gauges, that would also be a Plus.

Please provide Last-7 Characters of Vehicle VIN, and state if YOU are able to determine if your compressor has Clutch, as opposed to Compressor Valve.
George
Attached Images
File Type: pdf IHKA Module Tutorial.pdf (1.57 MB, 58 views)
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      04-15-2024, 12:57 PM   #3
mainbearing
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My 07 does not have a heater valve, which is a shame. Got the warm/hot air on vent problem.
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      04-15-2024, 01:22 PM   #4
patsf1
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The car is a 2009 e92 320d coupe. The car ac is not coming on either when button is pushed.
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      04-15-2024, 03:21 PM   #5
335i54n
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e9x dont generally have heater valve (water always circulates) and is controlled by the hvac box airflow. either ac inop or hvac box airflow control issue
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      04-15-2024, 05:40 PM   #6
mainbearing
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The refrigerant level may be low. If you have access to a scan tool then the refrigerant pressure can be checked. Some tools may be able to tell you the compressor activation status.

The 2009 likely does not have a heater valve. The HVAC unit is not well designed, leading to the pronunced heated air problem.


Quote:
Originally Posted by patsf1 View Post
The car is a 2009 e92 320d coupe. The car ac is not coming on either when button is pushed.
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      04-15-2024, 10:00 PM   #7
patsf1
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Ok thanks I’ll take it too a mechanic, can refrigerant be topped up? Would a dying battery have an effect on this? There is an amber car lift icon on the dash but I assumed it was about the battery.
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      04-15-2024, 10:58 PM   #8
mainbearing
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The AC shop usually evacuate the system, check for leaks and refill the correct amount of refrigerant. However, if the system is empty for longer periods, then the rubber shear blocks in the AC compressor pulley can shear off. A weak battery can trigger energy management and shut off "unnecessary" accessories like AC, seat heater, etc.

Therefore the shop should do a complete check of the AC system. But in most cases, the refrigerant gradually leaks out. And a properly equipped shop can read the error codes to determine what the problem is with the car-on-lift symbol.

I think I had that symbol because of I reset the brake sensor at the wrong time. I cannot remember for sure.
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      04-18-2024, 05:16 PM   #9
patsf1
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Ok so I checked the fuses for the ac and blower, all good, disconnected the battery and re attached it to reset everything. Disconnected the climate control and re connected it. Same symptoms hot air coming through the vents even when the blower is turned off there’s still hot air coming through the windscreen vent. Very uncomfortable. I’ve ordered a used hvac controller to see if that’s the issue. I read a post about the hvac motor for the flaps may not be engaging. Could the headunit wiring get cought up in those flaps or wiring, I had to remove the headunit and re fit it. Maybe a cable has pulled out somewhere??
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      04-18-2024, 05:25 PM   #10
335i54n
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That's not really a diagnosis. better off using that money for a scanner to grab data and evaluate. if you have the air set to recirc that should prevent airflow into the box and probably needs an ac recharge
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      04-18-2024, 11:31 PM   #11
patsf1
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What scanner could I use?
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