9-5 Aircon Problem?

[davidy]

Hi

My 9-5 (2000MY) car has started developing an intermittent fault on the aircon (climate control). Sometimes when I get into the car (usually within a few hours from a previous long run, doesn't seem to happen overnight) I get nothing but hot air out of the vents driven at force by the fan(s) the only way I can back to normal is to force the aircon to run cold by setting the values to LO until cold air appears, then I can set the temperature that I require and everything is ok for the rest of the journey.

Has anyone else had this issue, anyone know what it is.

Thanks in advance


davidy

[Trooper2]

davidy hello, I would look at the blend door 1st. The blend door controls how much cold or hot or blended air comes out of the cars vents. It is situated between the AC evaporator and the heater core in the heaterbox plenum. In a car as new as yours it is most likely controlled by a stepper motor(electric). You said that the problem is intermitent so you most likely should be looking for a bad earth connection, or high resistance (a wire that is almost cut through or corrosion Etc.). The electrical fault could lie anywhere from the head unit I.E. the buttons, dials that are on the dash to the stepper motor its self. It sounds like your car has A.T.C. set and forget automatic heat/AC which would be run and earthed by the cars E.C.U.. have you taken it to dealership or repair shop to have it scanned to see if the E.C.U. throws out a fault code? might be the best place to start.

The other option could be that the AC system has developed a minor leak and is undercharged with refrigerant and there for doesn't want to work efficiently until you adjust the temp way down


Good luck, Trooper2.

>> Edited by Trooper2 on Thursday 13th January 05:54

[davidy]

Trooper2

Thanks for the reply. I have a service due in about 4 weeks time, my local dealer also has a specialist aircon division, so I'm fairly confident they will be able to get to the bottom of it.

I have a third party warranty, so I'll check that regarding aircon, but I'm pretty sure its covered so hopefully it won't cost anything to fix.

Regards

davidy

[superlightr]

Any luck on the repair of the air con?

Ours has just stopped as well. 1 yr old car. We will book it in with the dealer.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Have you been running it over the winter?

First warm weekend of the year, everybody pops on the aircon but all the seals have dried out and it's lost its charge

I've tried to put mine on for 10 mins once a week.

[superlightr]

yep, used all the time in the winter. Just stopped working.?

Earliest its booke din for is 6 April !

[NiceCupOfTea]

how not working?

display not working?
compressor kicking in?
just not getting cold?

[superlightr]

not getting cold & Cant hear the compresor kicking in at all.

Dispalay is fine, all set to LO on both sides, econ off, read the book, nothing blocked. maybee the canister has discharged/leaky?

Its booked in for the 6/4/05 so we will see.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I'm no expert, but could be a duff compressor (expensive) or perhaps it's just dumped the refrigerant - I believe the compressor wouldn't come on if the system isn't pressurised. Can you check the inspection window for bubbles in the system to see whether the refrigerant is still there?

[superlightr]

Its under warrenty. So I will let them play with it. Thanks for the help though.
I will post what they tell me was wrong with it.