BMW 2-Series A/C Failure: Compressor Diagnosis Needed

Hey there. I had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW 4 Series last summer. The compressor wasn't engaging due to an undervoltage condition. Initially thought it was just low refrigerant, but the diagnostic showed the compressor clutch was failing to engage properly. Had it checked at the garage and they found that the magnetic clutch coil was shot, leading to the undervoltage error. They had to replace the entire A/C compressor assembly since the clutch couldn't be sourced separately. Parts took about two days to arrive, and the whole repair including recharging the system took half a day. It was definitely a serious repair since the A/C compressor is a major component. Make sure whoever works on it uses genuine BMW parts and properly evacuates and recharges the system with the correct refrigerant type and amount. Also, get them to check the condenser and lines while they're at it, sometimes there can be related issues that aren't immediately obvious. Better to fix it soon before it causes problems with other A/C components. Hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since I'm dealing with the exact same symptoms. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working fine since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up with the A/C system?

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up and let you know that thankfully after getting it fixed, my A/C has been working perfectly with no problems whatsoever. The repair ended up costing me 240 € total, which covered fixing the undervoltage issue in the system. Much cheaper than I initially feared, and honestly, worth every cent considering the summer heat! My mechanic was spot-on with the diagnosis, it really was just the compressor not engaging due to that undervoltage problem, exactly like yours. Once they sorted that out, the compressor started working like new again. Been about 8 months now and I've had zero problems with the A/C. It blows nice and cold, no weird noises, nothing. Just one tip, make sure they do a proper system check after the repair. My mechanic did that, which probably helped ensure everything's been working smoothly since. Really glad I didn't put off getting it fixed!

Thanks so much for all the details! I bit the bullet and took it to a BMW certified mechanic yesterday. You were right about getting it checked properly, turns out my issue was indeed similar to yours, but there was also a minor refrigerant leak they caught during inspection. Total bill came to about 300 € for fixing both problems, which honestly isn't as bad as I'd feared. The mechanic was really thorough and explained everything they were doing. They even showed me the worn-out parts and explained how the system works. Got the car back today and the A/C is working perfectly now, blowing nice and cold! Feels like a whole new car. Really glad I asked here first, helped me know what to expect and not get ripped off. Thanks again for sharing your experience, definitely helped me make the right decision instead of putting it off any longer!