Hello everyone. I have a 2016 Mini which I bought new and just looking for some help with my A/C issues. My wife and I love driving it but the A/C issue keeps us from driving it as much as we would like. When we initially start the car, the a/c is very cold and works as it should.

Once I drive it around an hour or so, the cabin will keep getting warmer and warmer as if the a/c is not working anymore. This happens when I use the hvac in manual or with the auto button. It's like when it needs to regulate the temperature inside, it doesn't start blowing cold air like it should. If I have the auto air temp set at the lowest possible, it seems to keep blowing cold air all the time. Of course it basically freezes you though. I can't tell if the a/c compressor is still running because it is impossible to see. Is there another way to tell if it is running even though its not blowing cold air?

We took it to the dealer several times during warranty but they could never replicate the issue. We figured when the a/c finally stopped working entirely, they could then find the issue. Here we are 5 years later and the problem still exists. I hate to take it in to the dealership and have them not find it again because I'm sure it will cost a fortune. To me it seems like a sensor or relay is not working like it should. I figured I would change out the interior temperature sensor since it is a pretty cheap part but I can't find anywhere that gives me the location of the sensor. No idea where it is located to change it. Anyone know where it is and how to get to it?

This is a frustrating issue that we have dealt with for way too long. I suppose even though the dealership has recorded the issue during warranty, we would still have to pay for the fix out of pocket, correct?

Any ideas? Thank you for your time.

 

As long as its documented that the problem existed under warranty, and was never fixed, you should push the issue.

 

Also, you should be able to tell if the A/C compressor is running, because the idle speed should be slightly higher than with the A/C off. If the A/C itself works, and it sounds like it does, then it’s likely a sensor or the HVAC controls that have gone bad.

 

There should definitely be documentation since an actual Mini dealership tried to do the diagnosis. I'll have to give them a call.

 

I'll give it a try tonight and see if it changes. I have a feeling its a sensor or relay somewhere or possible a loose connection. All I know its frustrating.

 

Also wanted to add that if I shut off the engine for a minute and restart, the a/c will work fine.

 

I hope you have resolution already. Curios what it turned out to be.

 

Hi Dean. A little late perhaps, but your symptoms sound exactly like those I experienced on my 2014 Toyota Tacoma. In my case the cause was exceedingly simple: the system was overcharged, showing approximately 40 psi on the low pressure side. We ultimately determined that the proper pressure was around 35 psi. Simply recovering that extra 5 psi did the trick.

Your mileage may vary (and the correct pressures for a MINI may be different), but it's worth checking as it's an extremely cheap fix.

 

I had the same thing happen with another not-MINI (a Subaru). Overcharge --> less cooling --> resolve overcharge --> cooling back to normal. Definitely worth asking someone at the shop to check, you never know.