Save $1500 on your A/C Repair
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
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From: Orlando FL
Save $1500 on your A/C Repair
My 2002 MCS w/ 194K miles stopped making cold air. I checked the freon charge and the fuses; all were fine. Looking closer I could see the clutch wasn't engaging the compressor when the a/c was turned on.
I Googled the issue and found that a very common problem with the Mini a/c is the failure of the a/c clutch coil. I found a video on YouTube that showed how to test the clutch coil using an ohm meter to check an open circuit at a/c relay. Mine had an open circuit meaning either a wire to the clutch coil failed or more than likely a failed coil.
The compressor is built to last and seldom needs replaced, but if the inexpensive clutch coil fails (which is the weak link), it leaves repair shops with no other option but to install a new a/c compressor ($400-$800) and usually all of the other a/c components. (total $1200-1500.) Unfortunately clutch coils aren't available at auto parts stores, or the dealership. However I found a few vendors on eBay that offer them for under $100. I ordered mine and received it within 2-3 days.
The best part of the replacement of the coil is that you can install it without opening the freon lines. It's a relatively easy project, with the exception of the inner C-clip holding the coil in. You'll need to use a pick to pry out the clip. I couldn't find any c-clip pliers that could grab the clip and wasted over an hour trying to remove what should take 10 seconds.
Watch the YouTube videos before doing the work to see the process. Project time should be about 2-3 hours. WORD OF CAUTION: There are two thin spacer washers that go between the clutch and the clutch cover plate.....they're important to ensure the the proper clearance of the two components. Be careful that when you take the cover off you don't lose them. Mine stayed in the cover for a while until they both dropped on the floor. I saw them but couldn't figure out where they came from. After putting the cover on I noticed the clutch wasn't spinning freely. Disassembled, put the 2 thin washers in and reassembled; problem solved.
With nearly 200K miles in hot FL, I have ice cold air for under $100.
I Googled the issue and found that a very common problem with the Mini a/c is the failure of the a/c clutch coil. I found a video on YouTube that showed how to test the clutch coil using an ohm meter to check an open circuit at a/c relay. Mine had an open circuit meaning either a wire to the clutch coil failed or more than likely a failed coil.
The compressor is built to last and seldom needs replaced, but if the inexpensive clutch coil fails (which is the weak link), it leaves repair shops with no other option but to install a new a/c compressor ($400-$800) and usually all of the other a/c components. (total $1200-1500.) Unfortunately clutch coils aren't available at auto parts stores, or the dealership. However I found a few vendors on eBay that offer them for under $100. I ordered mine and received it within 2-3 days.
The best part of the replacement of the coil is that you can install it without opening the freon lines. It's a relatively easy project, with the exception of the inner C-clip holding the coil in. You'll need to use a pick to pry out the clip. I couldn't find any c-clip pliers that could grab the clip and wasted over an hour trying to remove what should take 10 seconds.
Watch the YouTube videos before doing the work to see the process. Project time should be about 2-3 hours. WORD OF CAUTION: There are two thin spacer washers that go between the clutch and the clutch cover plate.....they're important to ensure the the proper clearance of the two components. Be careful that when you take the cover off you don't lose them. Mine stayed in the cover for a while until they both dropped on the floor. I saw them but couldn't figure out where they came from. After putting the cover on I noticed the clutch wasn't spinning freely. Disassembled, put the 2 thin washers in and reassembled; problem solved.
With nearly 200K miles in hot FL, I have ice cold air for under $100.
Last edited by JRhea; May 2, 2015 at 06:02 AM.
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