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What to Do If the Car Air Conditioning Is Not Working Well

Model: BMW Serie 1 F21, MK 2, F20 - Years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Part: Air conditioner

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Video tutorial

What to do if the air conditioning in your car is not working well? Before performing complicated tests, set the air conditioning to maximum and measure the air temperature at the vents, which should not be between 3 and 9 °C; otherwise, there is a fault, which could be, for example, a blown fuse, which you can check with a multimeter: the voltage should not be below 12 volts, but the fuse should also be visually checked; also inspect the condition of the cables, the radiator fan, and the compressor clutch.

The most common cause of poor performance is a clogged cabin filter, so check its functionality and replace it if necessary.

A fault in the fan could also be the issue, caused by a blown fuse or the speed control module, which will allow the fan to operate only at maximum speed. Another problem could be a clogged air condenser, which overheats, preventing the air conditioning from working: the same applies to the condenser fan. If there is a damaged refrigerant pressure sensor, it cannot be repaired, only replaced.

Then, of course, there is a malfunction of the compressor, detectable by the failure of its clutch, and the loss of refrigerant fluid, which is an essential part of the system.


Posted on 5 February 2026 by ScegliAuto


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