2020 BMW 3 series Air Conditioning issue
Discussion
I have a 2020 BMW 320 and the air conditioning doesn’t appear to be working correctly. If I set the system to auto and then bring the temperature right down to say 17 degrees the fan speed remains on minimum and it doesn’t really get cold. This is with an outside temperature in South Africa of over 25 degrees.
If I press the max button then the fan speed rises and the system starts blasting.
Can’t figures out why when in auto mode the sister doesn’t seem to react as it should.
If I press the max button then the fan speed rises and the system starts blasting.
Can’t figures out why when in auto mode the sister doesn’t seem to react as it should.
In my 530 you could set the maximum to which the fans were able to operate automatically.
Ie if the setting was on 2 ‘bars’ the auto function would only work between its lowest and 2. If it was set to full, the auto would operate over the full range.
Not a good explanation, sorry, but if yours is the same it would explain your issue and should be in the manual.
Ie if the setting was on 2 ‘bars’ the auto function would only work between its lowest and 2. If it was set to full, the auto would operate over the full range.
Not a good explanation, sorry, but if yours is the same it would explain your issue and should be in the manual.
You might find it’s called ‘intensity’ setting, can be altered in the idrive and is indeed on later 3 series.
SI B 64 07 10
Heating and Air Conditioning July 2010
Technical Service
SUBJECT
Intensity of the IHKA Auto Mode Program
MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series)
E9x (3 Series)
Vehicles produced from 8/10/09
SITUATION
The intensity of the air flow from the integrated automatic heating and air conditioning control panel (IHKA) is too strong or too weak in "Auto" mode.
CAUSE
The customer is not familiar with the new IHKA control panel. There is no fault with the IHKA system.
A new IHKA control panel was introduced on vehicles from the 2010 model year that included a new setting; this gives control over the air intensity in "Auto" mode. At the same time, the display operation was changed to display either "fan speed" in "Manual" mode, or "intensity" in "Auto" mode.
Customers are not aware that they should use the fan speed buttons when in "Auto" mode to set the air flow to their liking.
CORRECTION
Instruct the customer about the intensity of the Auto program function styles in the control panel of the IHKA system. Point out the section in the Owner's Manual that deals with this feature.
INFORMATION
See the attachment for the Owner's Manual and additional setting information.
SI B 64 07 10
Heating and Air Conditioning July 2010
Technical Service
SUBJECT
Intensity of the IHKA Auto Mode Program
MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series)
E9x (3 Series)
Vehicles produced from 8/10/09
SITUATION
The intensity of the air flow from the integrated automatic heating and air conditioning control panel (IHKA) is too strong or too weak in "Auto" mode.
CAUSE
The customer is not familiar with the new IHKA control panel. There is no fault with the IHKA system.
A new IHKA control panel was introduced on vehicles from the 2010 model year that included a new setting; this gives control over the air intensity in "Auto" mode. At the same time, the display operation was changed to display either "fan speed" in "Manual" mode, or "intensity" in "Auto" mode.
Customers are not aware that they should use the fan speed buttons when in "Auto" mode to set the air flow to their liking.
CORRECTION
Instruct the customer about the intensity of the Auto program function styles in the control panel of the IHKA system. Point out the section in the Owner's Manual that deals with this feature.
INFORMATION
See the attachment for the Owner's Manual and additional setting information.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 1st April 11:59
That’s interesting. I see that’s from 2010 so may not be relevant. The manual makes no mention of it. I will investigate further when I go out tomorrow and see if that works. I have always worked on the fact that the fan speed altering automatically is what auto was all about. Let’s see
Ok so I’ve been out this morning and tried it and you guys are right. You set the system to auto and then you can still move the fan speed and it remains on auto so the fan speed is just telling the car the range within which the auto setting can work! That is very strange and something I’ve never had on a car before. I’ve always had a system where you set the temperature and press auto and the car just does whatever it needs with the fans and vents to get it there. How on earth this system can cool to a low temperature in a warm climate if you minimise the fan speed I will never know. Kind of takes the auto out of auto.
‘You guys’? It was just me! 
BMW have used this since or before 2010, still do (as you now know) across the range of cars.
Depending on your environment, it can be quite handy. You wouldn’t set the maximum intensity to a low speed but the top speed is rarely necessary and the noise can be avoided if you limit the intensity to a notch or so below.
It will still cool to the same temperature, just take a little longer to do so.
Anyway, saved a wasted trip to your dealer, so all good!!
BMW have used this since or before 2010, still do (as you now know) across the range of cars.
Depending on your environment, it can be quite handy. You wouldn’t set the maximum intensity to a low speed but the top speed is rarely necessary and the noise can be avoided if you limit the intensity to a notch or so below.
It will still cool to the same temperature, just take a little longer to do so.
Anyway, saved a wasted trip to your dealer, so all good!!
Yes the manual falls short a lot, as do the systems it doesn't describe properly!
The air conditioning system insists on conditioning the air, so the one thing many of us want on a fine day, which is a direct feed from outside into the car is not possible. We are left doing what we had to do in the days before the Cortina Airflow which is to open the windows, with the attendant noise, etc
The air conditioning system insists on conditioning the air, so the one thing many of us want on a fine day, which is a direct feed from outside into the car is not possible. We are left doing what we had to do in the days before the Cortina Airflow which is to open the windows, with the attendant noise, etc
Allan L said:
Yes the manual falls short a lot, as do the systems it doesn't describe properly!
The air conditioning system insists on conditioning the air, so the one thing many of us want on a fine day, which is a direct feed from outside into the car is not possible. We are left doing what we had to do in the days before the Cortina Airflow which is to open the windows, with the attendant noise, etc
Doesn't sound right. The recirculation switch should enable selection between full recirculation, all outside air or bringing outside air in to blend with recirculated, balancing the power needed with having fresh, cool air and avoiding pollutants. Some cars have only the outside/recirculation option but most have the 3 way, IME.The air conditioning system insists on conditioning the air, so the one thing many of us want on a fine day, which is a direct feed from outside into the car is not possible. We are left doing what we had to do in the days before the Cortina Airflow which is to open the windows, with the attendant noise, etc
There should never be a need to open the windows. I've had several BMWs and never had this problem; if the cars been very hot, I would use full recirculation for a while but generally leave it on auto.
My E90 and F30 had a recirculation button.
Auto, Manual or Off (Air from outside)
Edit... Not sure if this is a new 3 series or not, but it shows both issues mentioned in this thread...
https://youtu.be/WjBNWzN0Kr0
Auto, Manual or Off (Air from outside)
Edit... Not sure if this is a new 3 series or not, but it shows both issues mentioned in this thread...
https://youtu.be/WjBNWzN0Kr0
Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 3rd April 14:42
RUSSELLM said:
Edit... Not sure if this is a new 3 series or not, but it shows both issues mentioned in this thread...
https://youtu.be/WjBNWzN0Kr0
Yes that is a new one and gives a much better explanation than in the manual https://youtu.be/WjBNWzN0Kr0
Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 3rd April 14:42
Looks quite funky. I could even get temped to upgrade 
You’ve gained the ‘Sync’ feature as well I notice, so that the driver can set the passengers temperature. They dropped that on the F30.
Looks like the defrost button gives you maximum fan speed as well. It’s been discussed on here before, but on the F30, the defrost starts up, slightly under maximum. You have to adjust it upwards, if you want maximum attack
You’ve gained the ‘Sync’ feature as well I notice, so that the driver can set the passengers temperature. They dropped that on the F30.
Looks like the defrost button gives you maximum fan speed as well. It’s been discussed on here before, but on the F30, the defrost starts up, slightly under maximum. You have to adjust it upwards, if you want maximum attack
Edited by RUSSELLM on Friday 3rd April 17:17
REALIST123 said:
Doesn't sound right. The recirculation switch should enable selection between full recirculation, all outside air or bringing outside air in to blend with recirculated, balancing the power needed with having fresh, cool air and avoiding pollutants. Some cars have only the outside/recirculation option but most have the 3 way, IME.
Sorry to keep on about this and I have found what the manual has on the subject. What that recirc. switch does is select where the air conditioning draws its air from (and it's all or nothing), but it has no influence on how that air is treated.As I wrote before, the system insists on conditioning the air and there is not an option to just let the unaltered air through and into the interior of the car.
Allan L said:
REALIST123 said:
Doesn't sound right. The recirculation switch should enable selection between full recirculation, all outside air or bringing outside air in to blend with recirculated, balancing the power needed with having fresh, cool air and avoiding pollutants. Some cars have only the outside/recirculation option but most have the 3 way, IME.
Sorry to keep on about this and I have found what the manual has on the subject. What that recirc. switch does is select where the air conditioning draws its air from (and it's all or nothing), but it has no influence on how that air is treated.As I wrote before, the system insists on conditioning the air and there is not an option to just let the unaltered air through and into the interior of the car.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘conditioning’. All the aircon does is create a cold matrix through which the air, wherever it’s drawn from, is passed and cooled.
If you want air from outside, at ambient temperature, just turn it off.
REALIST123 said:
Yes, there is. Turn off the A/C.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘conditioning’. All the aircon does is create a cold matrix through which the air, wherever it’s drawn from, is passed and cooled.
If you want air from outside, at ambient temperature, just turn it off.
Air conditioning is not just freezing the stuff but controlling its temperature. In this car there are knobs to set the temperature and if you were to set them at the ambient air temperature it might accept it did not need to heat or cool it. However it is only by running the fan that you get any airflow, so the straightforward ram-air driven airflow does not happen.I’m not sure what you mean by ‘conditioning’. All the aircon does is create a cold matrix through which the air, wherever it’s drawn from, is passed and cooled.
If you want air from outside, at ambient temperature, just turn it off.
I've had it four years and asked the dealer's workshop people countless times so, believe me, my original comment about the manual and systems is not without foundation.
I'd better stop now
Allan L said:
Air conditioning is not just freezing the stuff but controlling its temperature. In this car there are knobs to set the temperature and if you were to set them at the ambient air temperature it might accept it did not need to heat or cool it. However it is only by running the fan that you get any airflow, so the straightforward ram-air driven airflow does not happen.
I've had it four years and asked the dealer's workshop people countless times so, believe me, my original comment about the manual and systems is not without foundation.
I'd better stop now
Isn’t that the case with any modern car with climate control? You seem to be suggesting you want to turn off the AC and the fan but still benefit from ambient air coming into the car. Not sure I’ve had a car that did that for as long as I can remember unless it was an old classic with no AC I've had it four years and asked the dealer's workshop people countless times so, believe me, my original comment about the manual and systems is not without foundation.
I'd better stop now
Allan L said:
REALIST123 said:
Yes, there is. Turn off the A/C.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘conditioning’. All the aircon does is create a cold matrix through which the air, wherever it’s drawn from, is passed and cooled.
If you want air from outside, at ambient temperature, just turn it off.
Air conditioning is not just freezing the stuff but controlling its temperature. In this car there are knobs to set the temperature and if you were to set them at the ambient air temperature it might accept it did not need to heat or cool it. However it is only by running the fan that you get any airflow, so the straightforward ram-air driven airflow does not happen.I’m not sure what you mean by ‘conditioning’. All the aircon does is create a cold matrix through which the air, wherever it’s drawn from, is passed and cooled.
If you want air from outside, at ambient temperature, just turn it off.
I've had it four years and asked the dealer's workshop people countless times so, believe me, my original comment about the manual and systems is not without foundation.
I'd better stop now
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