A/C Blowing - Speed Dependant

Post here for mechanical and engine topics such as fuel issues, transmission problems, rough idle, exhaust, electrical issues, etc

Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons

Post Reply
gte619n
Posts: 128
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2015 8:30 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

A/C Blowing - Speed Dependant

Post by gte619n »

Hey fellas,

So I recently redid the dash and HVAC controls. While redoing this, I attempted to fix the blower switch. Sadly, that was unsuccessful only turning on at full blast again. Now everything is back together, I'm observing a very weird behavior. When the A/C is on, the amount of air blowing out of the central vents varies EXTREMELY with the speed of the vehicle.

When stop, it's barely a trickle. When moving, it's blowing STRONG. I can hear the blower motor running and when the A/C is off it seems to be fine.

Is there some sort of interior/exterior vent that I'm missing or that is no-op? It feels like all the sliders are working, but I'm not sure how to test.

Thanks!
Evan Ruff, Atlanta GA, Engineer
1970 Ford F100
1972 BMW 3.0CSi, L-Jet 3.5L
1978 Ferrari 308GTB
1985 BMW M635CSi
2016 BMW M2
User avatar
86_6series
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1073
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:08 pm
Location: West Nyack, NY

Re: A/C Blowing - Speed Dependant

Post by 86_6series »

I'll make 2 guesses.
1- At idle the alternator is not feeding enough juice for the fan load.
2- More likely the fan is not working and outside air at speed is
giving you the flow of air thru the vents. Top vent is outside fresh air only.
Center, left and right vents are AC connected.

that's all I got.
86-635CSi
96-MB C220 SOLD
98-740i
71-Continental MK3
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4493
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: A/C Blowing - Speed Dependant

Post by Pod »

86_6series wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 2:31 pm I'll make 2 guesses.
1- At idle the alternator is not feeding enough juice for the fan load.
2- More likely the fan is not working and outside air at speed is
giving you the flow of air thru the vents. Top vent is outside fresh air only.
Center, left and right vents are AC connected.

that's all I got.
My immediate thought was as 1 above. Have you tried running the engine up with the car stationary and aircon switched on?
gte619n
Posts: 128
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2015 8:30 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: A/C Blowing - Speed Dependant

Post by gte619n »

I am out of town currently but will give it a shot on Monday. Thanks guys!
Evan Ruff, Atlanta GA, Engineer
1970 Ford F100
1972 BMW 3.0CSi, L-Jet 3.5L
1978 Ferrari 308GTB
1985 BMW M635CSi
2016 BMW M2
Post Reply