AC only gets cold transmission put into drive or reverse and the car is moving

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

I have to be honest, if the car is hot and not being driven, chances are the AC condenser is not being cooled by movement. The job of an AC condenser is to convert the AC gas into a liquid form by cooling it. If the vehicle is sitting, it really cannot do a good job of converting the gas into liquid.

The AC condenser is located in front of the radiator. I have attached a picture for you to see. Make sure it is clean and not contaminated with dirt, leaves.

If you find that is clean, then I would suggest having the system evacuated and recharged.

Here are general directions for adding Freon to the system. Please keep in mind the system is under high pressure so you must follow directions and be careful.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Again, since the system works once you start moving, I really feel it is related to one of the items I mentioned.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Cheers,
Joe

While all that Joe says is true BMW has had many issues with the electric cooling fans and their controls. If you turn the AC on cold while sitting still you should hear the condenser/cooling fan start and run. I would bet it is not moving. The issue then is that you need to determine if it is the fan or the control circuit. That is tricky on these because the fan has dual controls, a pulse width modulated signal and a full power high speed section controlled on if the coolant temperature gets high. To actually test it you need a way to activate the fan at various levels and look at the signal to the fan as you control it. Some people opt to just go find a replacement used fan and install it if they do not have the scan tool and O-scope or test meter to see what the signal is doing. It is hit or miss, if the problem is the fan, it works, if it is in the controller, you bought a fan but still need to test the controller.

Hard to say for sure without hearing it. All of the control systems for the heater/AC are electronic. So no vacuum controls or lines for it to leak in the interior. That location does have the connection to the rear air duct that takes heat/AC to the rear seats. It is possible you are hearing air escaping from it. Especially if the ducting was blocked/closed in the rear and raising the pressure in the duct.