air con - any means of telling what the problem might be?
Discussion
My air con has packed up and I know the problems can range from the tiny (fuse) to the massive (new compressor). The fuse is fine, although there is an aircon relay that I am not sure how to test. I am sure if I take it to the garage they might just tell me it is something major, so is there anyway of telling if the system is charged? The engine note doesn't change when switchin air con on, whereas it used to clunk a bit on engaging it. Any tips (or any genuine and trustowrthy air con people in Birmingham?!) Car is a 2005 Mondeo.
zebedee said:
My air con has packed up and I know the problems can range from the tiny (fuse) to the massive (new compressor). The fuse is fine, although there is an aircon relay that I am not sure how to test. I am sure if I take it to the garage they might just tell me it is something major, so is there anyway of telling if the system is charged? The engine note doesn't change when switchin air con on, whereas it used to clunk a bit on engaging it. Any tips (or any genuine and trustowrthy air con people in Birmingham?!) Car is a 2005 Mondeo.
No GasNo point in guessing about this as it could be any number of things. Even if you establish there is no gas in the system simply filling it up again isn't going to solve the problem as if the original gas escaped then there is a leak somewhere that needs to be fixed.
Best to take it to a air-con specialist who can leak test the system
Best to take it to a air-con specialist who can leak test the system
I had issues with my air-con not working.
To check the relay, find where it is and swap it for another one. By that I mean, there are usually a couple of relays in the same location and there may be another which is the same and you can swap it over.
Failing that, has it always been cold? Or not used in a while?
With mine it hadn't worked since I got it and a re-gas was all that was required. They can just gradually lose gas. Mine didn't come up with any leaks and neither did the car belonging to the guy who gave me the info about the system. Some systems won't run unless there is sufficient pressure in the system. Mine had no gas at all so wasn't 'making' the pressure switch to allow the compressor to kick in.
Worth a try.
To check the relay, find where it is and swap it for another one. By that I mean, there are usually a couple of relays in the same location and there may be another which is the same and you can swap it over.
Failing that, has it always been cold? Or not used in a while?
With mine it hadn't worked since I got it and a re-gas was all that was required. They can just gradually lose gas. Mine didn't come up with any leaks and neither did the car belonging to the guy who gave me the info about the system. Some systems won't run unless there is sufficient pressure in the system. Mine had no gas at all so wasn't 'making' the pressure switch to allow the compressor to kick in.
Worth a try.
Edited by spaceship on Sunday 22 May 12:22
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
As has already been said, the majority of air con not working issues are down to lack of servicing & the drop in pressure that occurs over time.Below a certain pressure the system will not work to avoid damage.
After ruling out fuses etc, get it properly checked by an air con specialist.
They will check that the system holds pressure. If it does then likely all it needs is a re-gas which they can do for you. If there are any leaks then they should be able to pinpoint them.
You could of course just start changing parts at random........
And the aircon should be run regularly during the year, keeps the lubricant circulated.
After ruling out fuses etc, get it properly checked by an air con specialist.
They will check that the system holds pressure. If it does then likely all it needs is a re-gas which they can do for you. If there are any leaks then they should be able to pinpoint them.
You could of course just start changing parts at random........
And the aircon should be run regularly during the year, keeps the lubricant circulated.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 22 May 12:40
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Must admit it's probably the one thing I wouldn't mind having on my car. But having said that, I do manage just fine without it. Never got annoyed that I don't have it.
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Angry man is angry. The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Hammer67 said:
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Angry man is angry. The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
"Power hungry"
At motorway speed most AC units consume less fuel than the drag from opening the window would... They're much smaller and compact than the early systems and as a result are not so hungry for fuel
"Sits Idle"
Totally agree - Worst thing you can do to an AC system is not use it
B'stard Child said:
Hammer67 said:
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Angry man is angry. The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
k he does.The VAST majority of cars with AC these days have climate control, this uses the AC EVERY time the windscreen is demisted, hardly idle for ten months of the year then. I can't remember the last car I had with AC that wasn't climate, even my 1986 merc has dual sided climate control.
At motorway speeds it also consumes far less energy than is wasted by having a window open.
Other than that he was spot on.
If you can find the pressure switch short it across briefly - if the compressor clutch clunks and the a/c kicks in then you have lost the gas charge. A/C specialist can refill with a UV dye so you can work out where the leak is.
As for A/C being a waste of time, and an open window being as good - there speaks a man who never gets stuck in traffic jams in hot weather
As for A/C being a waste of time, and an open window being as good - there speaks a man who never gets stuck in traffic jams in hot weather
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
My car is soon to become a teenager and I've had it 9 years. In those 9 years the air conditioning has been off for about 20 minutes of running time. It has never been touched and has the same gas it left the factory with. The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
When I first bought the car I was getting letters from the supplying dealer looking for work and wanting to to "service" the AC system. We had a machine at work which the air conditoner had just packed up on and so I asked him. He said there is nothing to service, it is a closed system so it can't get contaminated, so no need to change the gas. He said that R134a has better seals so it doesn't need running to lubricate the seals like R12.
I'd not buy a vehicle without it.
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Why is it that any piece of technology on cars newer or more complicated than the wheel or the internal combustion engine itself is inevitably slagged off by someone on PH as being crap?The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
No doubt 'no true petrolhead' would have anything to do with something so infernal
IMO aircon is brilliant and something I wouldn't be without. It also doesn't seem to have that big an impact on fuel consumption or available power.
thinfourth2 said:
Air con
The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Obviously you don't drive around in the summer much or sit in traffic jams...The problem is that for some bizarre reason this almost entirely useless complicated power hungry heavy system has now become standard fitment on UK spec cars and it sits idle for 10 months of the year and the first time it is used in anger in the summer it promptly shoves it head up its arse. Costing hundreds to fix when for the past 100 years of motoring we managed perfectly well with this bizarre concept of opening a window.
or do you want to know why it isn't working
Willy Nilly said:
My car is soon to become a teenager and I've had it 9 years. In those 9 years the air conditioning has been off for about 20 minutes of running time. It has never been touched and has the same gas it left the factory with.
When I first bought the car I was getting letters from the supplying dealer looking for work and wanting to to "service" the AC system. We had a machine at work which the air conditoner had just packed up on and so I asked him. He said there is nothing to service, it is a closed system so it can't get contaminated, so no need to change the gas. He said that R134a has better seals so it doesn't need running to lubricate the seals like R12.
I'd not buy a vehicle without it.
This.When I first bought the car I was getting letters from the supplying dealer looking for work and wanting to to "service" the AC system. We had a machine at work which the air conditoner had just packed up on and so I asked him. He said there is nothing to service, it is a closed system so it can't get contaminated, so no need to change the gas. He said that R134a has better seals so it doesn't need running to lubricate the seals like R12.
I'd not buy a vehicle without it.
I never ever turn it off and have never had an issue on any of my cars.
B'stard Child said:
He raises some good points in a weird way
Nah, he's just a surly "B'stard".Wouldnt be without my AC. Clears the windscreen fast in the winter and stops my car from becoming a sweatbox in the summer. The power drain is not noticable(300hp helps I guess
), nor is any change in MPG.Surly b'stard is surly.
AC is a sealed system, yes. But it sill has an oil in it, which still does what any oil does, i.e lubricate and carry away particles and debris you don't want lying about. I had the AC system serviced on my Astra just after I bought at 10 years old, despite the AC working fine. The colour of the oil that was sucked out was disgusting. I wouldn't treat my engine like that, so the rest of the car is maintained as well.
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