Electric Aircon pump

[john2443]

The aircon compressor on my Ampera is stuffed, new ones are ridiculously expensive and on back order.

Because it's (sort of) an EV, the compressor is electric, I phoned a couple of companies who re-con compressors, but they don't do electric ones.

Anyone know of anywhere that re-con's them?

My best plan at the moment is to get a 2nd hand one - obviously there's a risk involved in that but it would be 1/10th of the price of a new one.

TIA

[996TT02]

Bear in mind that I know nothing about electric air-con. Or obviously what the fault is with yours. Just saying that if the unit comprises an integrated electric motor, and the compressor side of things is fine, you may be able to get the motor repaired somewhere that repairs electric motors, notwithstanding who may actually know zilch about aircon.

[john2443]

996TT02 said:

Bear in mind that I know nothing about electric air-con. Or obviously what the fault is with yours. Just saying that if the unit comprises an integrated electric motor, and the compressor side of things is fine, you may be able to get the motor repaired somewhere that repairs electric motors, notwithstanding who may actually know zilch about aircon.

I have the same level as knowledge as you and wondered the same thing! As far as I can tell (haven't taken it off yet) it is a motor/compressor as you described.

[E-bmw]

You say it is stuffed, but how is it stuffed?

Is it the electric side or the pump side?

[Polly Grigora]

996TT02 said:

Bear in mind that I know nothing about electric air-con. Or obviously what the fault is with yours. Just saying that if the unit comprises an integrated electric motor, and the compressor side of things is fine, you may be able to get the motor repaired somewhere that repairs electric motors, notwithstanding who may actually know zilch about aircon.

Very good idea is this

[john2443]

E-bmw said:

You say it is stuffed, but how is it stuffed?

Is it the electric side or the pump side?

Gas side hold pressure, error messages are

p1ec9-ac motor instantaneous current high current.
p1f0b ac compressor start up current too high/performance

I've just had a look to see about taking it off, I can just about get to the 3 bolts that hold it in place, but there's no way it will come out even if I undo them - it would be like one of those Chinese puzzles where the ball is carved inside the outer case - so I think the whole front would need to come off.

[Krikkit]

Sounds like the motor is the fault source to me!

[GTVOX]

It could well be the pump but it might just be a wiring or sensor issue, The easy way would be to just make sure the connectors are seated properly or there are no broken wire.s The correct way would be to get it to an auto electrician who can monitor the signals with an oscilloscope but I fear it wouldn't be any less costly.

[NMNeil]

john2443 said:

Gas side hold pressure, error messages are

p1ec9-ac motor instantaneous current high current.
p1f0b ac compressor start up current too high/performance

I've just had a look to see about taking it off, I can just about get to the 3 bolts that hold it in place, but there's no way it will come out even if I undo them - it would be like one of those Chinese puzzles where the ball is carved inside the outer case - so I think the whole front would need to come off.

From those codes you have either a locked motor or locked compressor. The motor is probably BLDC which don't normally lock up, so probably the compressor.

[E-bmw]

john2443 said:

E-bmw said:

You say it is stuffed, but how is it stuffed?

Is it the electric side or the pump side?

Gas side hold pressure, error messages are

p1ec9-ac motor instantaneous current high current.
p1f0b ac compressor start up current too high/performance

Going by those, I assume that when the clutch kicks in it doesn't stay in?

As was said above, an auto electrician would be a good call, barring that, take it to your local AC place & get it degassed & removed & try to free it off yourself, or take it back to the auto electrician & see if he can.

ETA. Scrub my first comment, obviously I was missing the fact that it isn't engine driven! Doh!

Change it to read does it turn at all, when "driven" or freely by hand.

Edited by E-bmw on Sunday 14th August 10:48

[Grenadier_45]

Have you had the Aircon 'serviced' or refilled at any stage? I'm not familiar with the AC system the Ampera uses, but the Toyota/Lexus hybrids also use an electric motor for AC, and for those it's critical that a special non-conductive oil is used. Even mild contamination from 'normal' oils can brick the compressor after a while as it'll short out internally.

Might not apply in your case, but if you, or a previous owner, have had someone refill it using the wrong oil, the whole system will need a complete flush or your new compressor will likely go the same way.

[john2443]

NMNeil said:

From those codes you have either a locked motor or locked compressor. The motor is probably BLDC which don't normally lock up, so probably the compressor.

Thanks for that - so far I don't know which one it is.

E-bmw said:

As was said above, an auto electrician would be a good call, barring that, take it to your local AC place & get it degassed & removed & try to free it off yourself, or take it back to the auto electrician & see if he can.

Does it turn at all, when "driven" or freely by hand.

I had it degassed with the intention of removing it, but it's so inaccesible I can't get it off - suspect need to take the front end and possibly radiators off to do it.

It's a sealed unit with no spinny bits sticking out so can't rotate by hand - with a normal belt driven one that's easy to check, but not with this.

Grenadier_45 said:

Have you had the Aircon 'serviced' or refilled at any stage? I'm not familiar with the AC system the Ampera uses, but the Toyota/Lexus hybrids also use an electric motor for AC, and for those it's critical that a special non-conductive oil is used. Even mild contamination from 'normal' oils can brick the compressor after a while as it'll short out internally.

Might not apply in your case, but if you, or a previous owner, have had someone refill it using the wrong oil, the whole system will need a complete flush or your new compressor will likely go the same way.

I haven't had anything done to it, just aircon specialist tested and said there's enough gas and it's holding pressure, he didn't put anything in. No idea if the previous owner did but he was a real electric car nerd so would have known what oil to use and I'm sure he'd have made sure an aircon guy used the right stuff.

Thanks all, have mailed Cleveley Motors as they seem to be the experts in EVs, fingers crossed they know something helpful!

[vikingaero]

Try these guys:

http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/index.aspx

They've refurb'ed air mass meters for us a few times on our Mercs.