Air Con - Intermittent

[Guest Silver]

Hello all,

 

I have looked into this specific issue by searching but not yet found anything that answers my question on Air Con.

 

The issue/question is:

 

When I select Air Conditioning On, I get an immediate drop in engine revs (slight) which I think, from previous cars, is normal. However, after about 30 secs, a relay can be heard switching behind the dashboard and I get a corresponding engine blip to suggest that the Air Con has now been turned off but the light on the Air Con switch remains illuminated.

 

I had thought that this was normal, but now it is getting hotter I have discovered that the performance of the system is pathetic.

 

Is the Galaxy Air-Con performance useless or is this 'cycling' of the Air Con relay a fault?

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Silver,

 

If you say that the air con is pathetic you certainly have a problem. I've got 2 diesels and both air cons are fine ( when they are working :rolleyes: ) Aitually, the 115 BHP one is fine but my S reg has been a bit intermittent and has now failed completely.

 

You do not show which model you have so that makes it a bit difficult and diagnosis is also difficult anyway because of all of the bits and pieces. I am sure that all will be revealed eventually but I had a look at mine over the weekend and tested the feed to the pump clutch solenoid - under the alternator on mine. Mine was not being activated but it may be a good place for you to check. Another indicator is the fans. It seems that they are switched on when you activate the air con. Mine were so that gives some encourragement. are yours?

 

I forced a 12v feed to the clutch solenoid and ir geve a reassuring click but I still had no cooling. You may wish to try that but I suggest that you cut the lead rather than tap in to avoid risk of damage to other circuitry.

 

I then gave up because it now seems probable that I have no gas or a US pump. My bet is no gas.

 

Looking at the wiring diagram, there seems to be something called a pressure switch but there is no information as to what this is or where it is. My guess at the moment is that no gas = no pressure = pump solenoid not activated.

 

From reading other posts it seems that low gas gives poor performance rather than intermittent so I am not convinced but if any of this gives you ideas of what to check - good luck.

 

Ron

Edited April 16, 2007 by Scorpiorefugee

[Guest Silver]

Ron,

 

Thank you for the reply. I will update my profile to include my model, but it's a Zetec 2.3 from 2001. The Air Con is manual.

 

Thanks for the pointers.

[El Dingo]

IIRC pressure switch will also cut off due to high pressure. These switches can also go faulty. Maybe the system starts up then the pressure switch cuts it out again?