Hello NAM,

Please let me preface this post by noting that I have done a fair amount of searching and found a wealth of information, but yet no answers to the below:

I'm having AC issues with a '02 R50 Cooper (non S) with around 80k miles. The AC runs great when it is moving, but horrible when stationary. The system has been evacuated, and filled with the right refrigerant, no leaks, all running well (blows ice cold 40F vent temp air when moving, but not when stationary!)

The low fan speed resistor is definitely shot, but the car is in Saudi Arabia (ambient temps up to 115-120F) where the AC (and 2nd stage fan) are always on.

Questions are:
1) Since the AC is always on, and assuming AC compressor pressures are correct, both forcing the 2nd stage fan to turn on all the time. Do I really need the low speed fan? Could the low speed fan be the culprit even though the high speed is taking over?
2) Are there any members with SPAL/PWR retrofits of high CFM cooling fans to solve the airflow issue? Do I need more airflow?
3) Could this be a cooling system issue instead? The thermostat and radiator were just replaced as well, and the temp gauge doesn't move past its buffer even in the worse heat.

Please help, as I'm having issues isolating the problem!

 

Living in Arizona we have the same type temps as you do. I found that if the selector is not in the recycle position and is sucking in outside air it has a harder time keeping the air coming out the vent cooler. I'm sure you thought or knew about that, but just in case I threw it out there. I did add what they call Arctic Freeze to my system even though it was working fine. It helped cool the air down quicker and helps keep it cooler. I've had it in now for 2 summers and it's still working well. I'll pay closer attention today when I am at a stop and see if my A/C temp goes way up. I have not noticed it. It will be around 105-108 today. I'll post again later.

 

Just being sure that you changed your Cabin Air Filter?

///Rich

 

Low speed fan is shot....
That is WHY the ac sucks when not moving....no airflow over the condenser... No cooling....
I suggest either fixing it or bypassing the resistor to make the fan turn on hi anytime the fan is on...
Cooling is never great when idling....but I can say on a few +100°f days it is still pretty good...

 

PS
One bit of info...more of a reality check...
A compressor running when a car is idling at 600 rpm will NEVER make as much cool air as one running at 2500-3000 in cruise....but a fully functioning fan should help...more airflow =more cooling over the condenser....but I doubt putting a BIGGER fan would be "more better"... But having some airflow is needed...hense the low speed fan that runs CONSTANTLY when the ac is on as opposed to the high speed cycling on and off....resulting in the psi in the ac system spiking, resulting in lots of strain on the compressor....many folks find out their fan was bad when the ac fails....