2003 325i A/C system failure

[Yeti325]

A/C has been out since I bought the car. It’s getting so hot here that I almost can’t drive it.
Anyway, the compressor spins, and when the A/C is enabled you can feel it kick on but no cold air. I took pressure measurements of the high and low side of my system. On the valve closer to the windshield I’m getting 63psi, and the valve closer to the bumper reads 59psi. The system has held pressure for weeks, so it’s not a leak. Could this be a problem with my compressor?

[HighandFast]

When you say it's been "out," do you mean it's anemic or just plain dead? Is the aux fan working? Have you tested the relays? On mine, just pulling the fan relay and testing it, as well as jumping the panel connectors (use a fused jumper! 30 Ω?), returned it to functioning order. Now I have a spare fan (for an E36).

[bmwdirtracer]

If, truly, you've connected to the high side AND the low side, at the same time, and the compressor clutch is turning, and the gauges read 59 low side and 63 high side. Then, first, you need to evacuate, vacuum, and refill the system with EXACTLY the correct amount of R134a. (If I'm not mistaken, that's 1;63 lbs, on your car. Then you'll read the gauges again. If the system still shows exactly the same (which I doubt), then you need to replace the compressor, the receiver/dryer, and the expansion valve.

If you do not have a proper set of gauges and a/c machine, take the car to a pro.

[Yeti325]

This test was done without the compressor on. Will test again within a day with the compressor running and post results

[bmwdirtracer]

You don't test an A/C system with the compressor off. What would you be testing?

[lecourasa]

Is the fan running? Can you feel air coming through the vents? As you increase the fan speed can you feel more and more air coming through the vents?

[Yeti325]

The blower is running fine. Will test pressures soon. Thanks for the replies.

[MarcoZandrini]

Does the electric fan that either sits in front of the radiator (auto transmission) or between the radiator and the engine (manual transmission) come on?

[Yeti325]

OK I have the pressures from the high and low side of the AC system, while the compressor was engaged. Low side is 30psi, high side is 85psi. Yes the fan does come on, my car is manual.

[bmwdirtracer]

IF you have the correct 1.63 pounds of R134a refrigerant in the system, your compressor is bad. 30 psi is right; high side should be ~175 to 250, depending on ambient temp.