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Thread: 1982 320i AC Compressor replacement help

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Phoenix, AZ
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    My Cars
    1982 320i

    1982 320i AC Compressor replacement help

    Hello all,

    I'm looking for a little help with my AC system. Its a 1982 320i, I've had it since 2012, the AC has never blown cold. Decided to get the AC up and running as I am getting married and the car will go from a winter driver to a daily driver. Took it to a German auto "specialist" mechanic shop and after two weeks they said the compressor is bad and that they can not locate one that will fit to replace it. I knew for sure that it is not the York brick. After some research online, I found that the Sanden 508 is basically the exact clone of what is currently in the car. I purchased this compressor off ebay along with a new dryer/receiver and I sourced some virgin R12.

    I am ready to install and charge the system up but alas, there is no sticker anywhere under the hood that states the amount of R12 needed. All of my online research has led me to HERE , if you scroll down to the BMW 320i section it states 45.00 oz

    But I am not sure if this is in relation to the york compressor, or does it matter? Has anyone with the same compressor I have done a recharge? Is there a way to charge the system without knowing the exact amount of R12 needed?

    Thanks for any help you can give!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    DFW TX USA
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    1,447
    My Cars
    1983 320I, 1986 325E
    You do not need to weigh the charge. Its a crapshoot with the weight of the can, hoses, etc involved that messes up your reading. You should be using a set of manifold gauges that allows you to monitor both the low and high side pressures. Follow this chart and then you will know when your system is full. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6q...a3c/view?pli=1

    Please tell me that you vacuumed the system down, checked for leaks, etc?
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 06-06-2018 at 07:10 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Phoenix, AZ
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    1982 320i
    Quote Originally Posted by Thecatmilton View Post
    You do not need to weigh the charge. Its a crapshoot with the weight of the can, hoses, etc involved that messes up your reading. You should be using a set of manifold gauges that allows you to monitor both the low and high side pressures. Follow this chart and then you will know when your system is full. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6q...a3c/view?pli=1

    Please tell me that you vacuumed the system down, checked for leaks, etc?

    Thanks! Very helpful info. Yes, the shop I took it to vacuumed the system, there was no freon present, and they determined the leak was from the old compressor. They just couldn't source the correct compressor. I actually drove back there today with my new compressor and the tech came out to have a look, he couldn't have been more then 20 yo. He said if they found the right compressor they were just going to throw R134a in and hope for the best without replacing any o rings.

    Anyway, I've got manifold gauges and am waiting on a R12 can tap to be delivered then i'll give this a try.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
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    My Cars
    1982 320i
    Ok, I have the new compressor installed, got oil in it, vacuum tested and holds, vacuumed for 45 min to get all air out. Went to charge it and I cant get it to switch on. I read that it would be because there was no refrigerant in the system, with AC and blower on, I filled 140z of R12 through the low side port, the manifold gauge for the low side went all they to 120 psi but compressor still wont engage. Is there a pressure switch on the E21? any ideas? Thanks!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    303
    My Cars
    1983 BMW 320iS
    120 psi low side pressure is crazy high, something is wrong.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Atlanta Ga
    Posts
    127
    My Cars
    98 M3 Sedan, 82 320i
    Here is my reading last year in late may so probably 82 and 70% humidity. my system didn't blow cold air I put in a 12 oz can R-12 and its been working ever since. no leaks. Must have gotten lucky. IMG_8234.JPG

    Check the wire going to the compressor, fuses, switch.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    1982 320i
    Nice! So i took about my center console and sprayed contact cleaner on the old AC switch, let it dry and started up the car, blower fan and tried again, this time i got the compressor to turn on, the psi dropped down to around 40 as it started to circulate the r12 i had begun to put in, then the compressor shut off again as I continued to fill the rest of the 14oz can, by the way, the can is still not empty id say there is about 10oz of r12 now in the system. Anyway.... now I can't get my compressor or my blower to work. **Sigh** Wondering if I am dealign with a bad AC switch.

    I've already checked the fuse for the AC, thats good, the relay appears good, and it was only after cleaning the AC switch that I actually got the compressor to kick on. Hmmmmmm

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Phoenix, AZ
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    1982 320i
    This is the switch in question, Im trying to hunt for a replacement online, unfortunately i don't really know what all these wires are to. I'm still puzzled why my blower would suddenly stop working too, its always worked. Also...my radio is now not working either. What a can of worms.
    Last edited by ewendt82e21; 06-10-2018 at 10:36 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
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    1,077
    My Cars
    1979 E21 320i
    Someone splice into the fuse 8 circuit?
    -John

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
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    1982 320i
    Ok, I found a fuse way back in the mess of wires under there that had blow, Not sure why this fuse is back here, doesn't look stock. Anyway, radio blower and compressor are back to operational.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Phoenix, AZ
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    1982 320i
    This is the gift that keep on giving, i finally got a belt that will rotate the compressor, went to charge it and the blower motor blew up.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    DFW TX USA
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    1983 320I, 1986 325E
    Do you have the behr system? Or, something else like the clardy mfg unit?

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