Hi all, I've been having a LOT of problems with my R55 as of late. When I was driving back home, my mini suddenly gave a warning of the "battery discharging" and right after that the AC stopped working and it was only blowing hot air. I also received a message right after this saying "engine overheating".

After I got it towed back home, I've been working on the car for days trying to figure out what the hell is going on and I still can't figure it out. This is what I'm currently dealing with:

• AC Compressor is shut down, I can't start it whatsoever but ventilation still works.
•Battery had to be replaced but even after that, I still receive a message saying "battery discharging" after leaving it on for not even a minute.
•the belt got chewed up and I had an extra one to replace it with. However, after finishing putting it together and what seemed to be okay shape, the belt tore up again after just driving not 30 seconds and smoke started to come out (yay!).
•when the new belt was on, there was a shrieking sound coming from one of the pulleys but I couldn't tell exactly which one (my guess is the AC compressor).

This is what I've done so far:
•the fuse for the ac in the passenger side was burned out. after replacing it and starting the car, it immediately burned out again.
•ive been noticing for a while now that the AC compressor is getting grimy and oily very fast and I'm not exactly sure if this means that the whole unit would need to be replaced or if it's a different issue altogether.
•there was a check engine light and after checking for codes I only had one, which was "P0073 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High input".

I'm only a college student so I'm working with as much as I got. I'm trying to fix this on my own because of costs but if it all leads to nothing then I'll take it to a shop. If anybody could help me pinpoint the issue or point me I would be very grateful!

 

"Belt tearing up" implies something isn't turning freely.
"Battery discharging" implies alternator not working.
"Engine overheating" implies water pump not working.
All this is common with a belt problem --- frozen / loose pulley, belt tensioner, water pump "friction" wheel. You need to remove the belt and check all the pulleys and wheels. Anything that contacts the belt is suspect.
AC compressor is definitely suspect if it pops fuses and gets "oil and grimy". Maybe remove it and take it to your local parts house to have it tested?

Your ambient air temp sensor is located under the passenger headlight, behind the wheel well inner liner --- close to the side light. Maybe a broken wire or loose connector?

You can find repair instructions here --- https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/ --- and illustrated parts lists here --- https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select If you have grief pulling the AC compressor, look up "service mode" in newTIS, that'll give you more room to work.

I'm big on education --- don't let this problem affect yours!

Hope you have access to a good tool selection. Working the belt tensioner is necessary, but can be tricky without the special tool..

 

Thanks for your help! I've bought a replacement for the AC Compressor which is coming in on Friday and it might just be best for me to take this to a shop to for them to install, as I have no way of getting the refrigerant out without the whole pump unit and etc. I took the bumper off last week so I probably had the connector go loose in the process so I'l just check on that.

Honestly as much fun as it is to drive this car, I spent so much time and money on this car and it hasn't even been a year hahah. Once I get the compressor fixed I'm selling the clubman :( I need to drive something thats much more reliable right now and doesn't cost a fortune to maintain, even with pumping gas. I can definitely see myself buying another mini, but that's waaaaay into the future when I have a stable career for myself haha