GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

A/C compressor jump

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2017 | 03:52 PM
  #1  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
A/C compressor jump

I assume there's an a/c compressor relay but can't seem to find one listed on the fuse diagram.

So, how do I jump the low pressure switch to get the compressor to run to pull the freon out my can to recharge?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2017 | 05:28 PM
  #2  
alx's Avatar
alx
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Is the system empty? If not What is the pressure? How did you arrive at the need for refrigerant?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2017 | 06:00 PM
  #3  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
The system has no reason to be completely empty. I have no idea what the high and low pressure readings are.

I arrived at the need for freon based on typical symptoms of low refrigerant: a/c compressor clutch does not engage, intermittent cooling.

Also, its the easiest and cheapest solution. Makes sense to start with the cheapest first, right?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2017 | 06:35 PM
  #4  
ItalianJoe1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
So you're just gonna add freon to see what happens?

The compressor on those cars uses a refrigerant control valve to vary compressor displacement and thereby the amount of work it does. If that valve is failed (usually the problem), it will not cool most of the time, even though there's plenty of freon.

Why don't you have someone check the vehicle who actually understands how it works, before you just dump refrigerant in there.

FWIW, if the system is empty, the pressure difference from the full can to the empty system will allow enough to flow in to kick on the compressor if it's just waiting for the pressure to come up. It has to drop very low to disable toe compressor. However, if it's disabled and there are faults, it may not run until they are cleared. Needs proper diag to find the source of the not cooling issue.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 10:21 AM
  #5  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
I just hate the idea of bringing it to someone and paying them to tell me the only issue is being low on freon.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 11:04 AM
  #6  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
Originally Posted by ItalianJoe1
The compressor on those cars uses a refrigerant control valve to vary compressor displacement and thereby the amount of work it does. If that valve is failed (usually the problem), it will not cool most of the time, even though there's plenty of freon.
By refrigerant control valve do you mean expansion valve or is this an internal (non-replaceable) part of the compressor?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 02:13 PM
  #7  
alx's Avatar
alx
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Please hook up gauges to low and high side and troubleshoot accordingly. If you overload the compressor it will bog down and you will have a bigger problem. You might be low on refrigerant, you might have another issue.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 02:21 PM
  #8  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
Originally Posted by alx
Please hook up gauges to low and high side and troubleshoot accordingly. If you overload the compressor it will bog down and you will have a bigger problem. You might be low on refrigerant, you might have another issue.
Dropping it off at a local shop tomorrow morning.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 07:13 PM
  #9  
ItalianJoe1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Originally Posted by mefferso
By refrigerant control valve do you mean expansion valve or is this an internal (non-replaceable) part of the compressor?
The RCV is in the compressor. It is replaceable, but not sold separately by MB. I've replaced them for people, mainly on VW's, by buying the valves from a local a/c shop. Once the system is discharged there is a snap ring holding the valve in and it comes out, but you have to know which exact model compressor and valve, and a dealer or most shops will only sell the whole compressor.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2017 | 12:56 PM
  #10  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
New a/c compressor and accumulator/drier on order to be delivered Friday. Shop wanted $450 for the labor to replace those. I passed on that and will just do the replacement myself. I had them completely empty the system and will have them recharge it correctly after i'm done with the install.

Can't find any DIY videos online. I found a couple threads here and the other forum that said it was fairly straightforward. I am open to any tips you guys might have.

Thanks
Reply
Old May 5, 2017 | 07:18 PM
  #11  
backdoc4you's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
GL450
mefferso...how did your job turn out? I suspect I need a new compressor on my 07 GL450. I'm pretty handy and am also considering doing it myself. Is your ac ice cold again? Thank you!
Reply
Old May 5, 2017 | 10:52 PM
  #12  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
Originally Posted by backdoc4you
mefferso...how did your job turn out? I suspect I need a new compressor on my 07 GL450. I'm pretty handy and am also considering doing it myself. Is your ac ice cold again? Thank you!
Working great now! I did have to replace the compressor and drier.
It really isn't that bad at all. I started a new thread with the parts I bought and general how-to-replace steps since I couldn't find one anywhere online. https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ement-diy.html
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 01:44 PM
  #13  
backdoc4you's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
GL450
Mefferso....I received my compressor and dryer in the mail this week and am doing the job on Mother's Day. Just wondering if you also replaced the expansion valve? I am somewhat suspecting that it may have been at fault for malfunctioning and stressing out my compressor. Its only a $30 part but have zero idea as to how to replace it? Thank s for your opinion! Hope you AC is ice cold still....its 100 here in Phoenix
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 08:06 PM
  #14  
ItalianJoe1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Almost never the expansion valve, almost always just the valve in the compressor.
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 09:28 PM
  #15  
backdoc4you's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
GL450
ItalianJoe....I'm kinda hoping so. But I am downloading my new Mercedes WIS/ASRA virtual repair manual right as I write this. I already bought the expansion valve, and the repair shop I got a $2450 quote from of course wants to replace every AC part on the vehicle, so I might give it a whirl. Based on my symptoms prior to my compressor seizing, the expansion valve may have been malfunctioning. Repair quote gave a 1.8 hour labor estimate to replace it....we will see. I'll let y'all know after this weekend how it goes...
p.s. Go Juventus!
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 10:35 PM
  #16  
mefferso's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 167
Likes: 29
BMW 335d
Originally Posted by backdoc4you
Mefferso....I received my compressor and dryer in the mail this week and am doing the job on Mother's Day. Just wondering if you also replaced the expansion valve? I am somewhat suspecting that it may have been at fault for malfunctioning and stressing out my compressor. Its only a $30 part but have zero idea as to how to replace it? Thank s for your opinion! Hope you AC is ice cold still....its 100 here in Phoenix

What Italianjoe said. I didn't change it since it likely wasn't the problem in my case. At $30, maybe I should have. So sorry, can't be of much help as I did not look into how to replace it. Good idea with the manual download. Please do let us know how you do it.

Yeah, at 100, you definitely have to get that fixed soon. My wife's 7 months pregnant and 85 here (Louisiana) felt like 100 to her, haha.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:42 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE