53 1.9tdi Auto - Climate Display Flashing.

[Herts Hammer]

I've just bought a 53 plate 1.9 TDI Ghia. Unfortunately I didn't notice on the test drive and inspection that the climate display flashes rapidly when starting the thing up.

 

As I've gathered this indicates a problem with the AC, which could be troublesome and expensive to fix.

 

I have the dual AC btw. From the comments I've read people have said that it is often possible to discern the actual fault by looking at the symptoms in conjunction with the flashing.

 

Well as far as I can tell, the only symptom appears to be very poor airflow through the back vents. With the external temperature being so cold its hard to tell whether the ac is working properly or not, but I'm optomistic that it is.

 

So, on a working model, how fast does the air come out of the rear roof level vents when the fan is set to its highest setting, because on mine you can barely feel any airflow?

 

If I understand correctly there is somesort of unit hidden inside the nearside rear panel, over the rear wheel? After a run with the rear heat turned up this panel feels quite warm to touch - So I'd guess something is going on inside.

 

Airflow through the front vents appears to be quite normal.

 

This is my first Galaxy, and apart from the concerns about the AC, I'm very impressed with it. Love the cream leather and high driving position. The ride is very comfortable too, it seems to waft over bumps and cracks with very little transmitted to the passenger compartment.

[mumof4]

May just need a regass

[Herts Hammer]

I'd thought about a re-gas, but the airflow doesn't improve when switching to econ mode - Presumably the air would be just drawn in from outside and blown straight into the rear.

 

I'm wondering about a faulty fan or blocked filter. Trouble is I'm not familiar with the galaxy at all, and certainly not the ac/ventilation system.

 

Speaking of which, if anyone could point me in the direction of some documentation or schematics that demonstrate what goes where on a dual ac model, that might be very helpful. For example, what does the rear unit in the nearside panel actually do? Is it just a fan and heat exchanger, or something more? Where do the roof vents feed tubes route to?

 

As regards the re-gas, I do intend to get an AC service performed in the near future - Of course I'll ask them for their opinion. I just happen to have an inherent distrust and prejudice against most of the motor trade, so I never like dealing with anyone without a good understanding of what's what myself. I'm happy to pay for work that needs doing as I've had enough of swearing at seized bolts, and taking the skin off my knuckles in my time, I just like to know that what I'm told is necessary actually bears some resemblence to what is actually necessary.

 

Can anyone recommend a good independant vehicle AC specialist in North London, East London, Herts or Essex? Pefereable one that understands and has experience with Galaxys.

[Bigjeeze]

The unit in the back is an evaporator with fans. This is then routed up to the roof vents via flat tubing in the rear pillar. It sounds like you have no gas. The trouble is trying to find a fault always costs you money.

 

It would be a farily cheap option to buy a filler cylinder from Halfords (one with dye in) - That way you will see if you have a minor leak or a massive

one. When I had a leak I took it to a specialsit who diagnosed condenser - He was wrong it was a broken pipe.

 

It's worth paying a few quid to get an opinion - you can then make your mind up as to how you want to proceed.

[Herts Hammer]

Thanks for the responses so far. One thing troubles me though.

 

Forgive me if I sound contradictory or anything here, I just want to be sure I understand things correctly.

 

If I was out of gas could I not expect decent airflow through the vents?

 

The logic in my head says that out of gas = diminished cooling capacity, not lack of air flow. If I turn the panel to econ for example, and set the heating to hi and the fans to max, there is still very little airflow through the rear vents - Surely this setting would cause the system to run like a traditional car heater, without the aircon being engaged? If my logic is correct, it would tend to rule out low gas as a problem (at least to the low airflow issue).

 

Thanks for the info on the rear unit. Does this have its own evaporator too, or does it route coolant through the front unit condensor? If so, they presumably have a common gas supply?

 

I've seen references on here to VAG - Com. Could this be used to query diagnostic codes from the AC equipment? If it can, I'll get it and have a go. I'm a computer techy so no troubles expected on that part. Talking of which, I'm unsure which lead would be required to connect? Can anyone recommend which lead I should purchase to use with my Galaxy?

Edited November 26, 2007 by Herts Hammer

[big_kev]

The rear unit has its own evaporator & fan.

 

By what you are saying the problem seems to be fan related.

 

Check the rear fan is working properly first and the associated flaps.

 

If so then check the ductwork from the rear vents back to the fan ( this can be tricky as some of it is hidden in the roof ).

 

Vagcom will talk to both the front and rear aircon units and "may" help to diagnose the fault.

[mumof4]

My cc always flashed on start up for around 10/15 seconds, still worked though so i left it

[gregers]

er did you buy the car from a dealer if so why dont you just take it back and ask them to fix the problems,if not are kwik fit still doing there regas on the cheap?try them at least they might be able to tell you what could be wrong.

[Herts Hammer]

Yes, I bought from a dealer. 3 months engine and gearbox warranty was mentioned, nothing more. I'll give him a call and see what he says. Do you think they should cover it?

[gregers]

er think you will find within the 1st 28 days they have an obligation to rectify any faults that come up with the car,check out the trade and standards web site for info,FOREARMED IS FOREWARNED. ;)

[adrianf.]

When i bought the Alhambra i took out an extended warranty at great cost.

A week after the purchase i noticed the air con was not as cold as it should have been so i got them to fix it as the fault was there when i purchased the car but i did not use my warranty to fix it.

So in other words they fixed it on the basic 3 month warranty that was with the car.