Air Con Problem Diagnosis

[spongebob_antspants]

Hello everyone

 

I apologise for bringing up what appears to be an old chestnut, air conditioning problems on my Galaxy Mk II.

I have read the FAQs and various threads on this subject from other members, however I'm still unsure what the root cause of my problem is.

 

Situation and symptoms are as follows:

 

- flashing LCD panel when turning on ignition, unless I leave the air conditioning in "ECON" mode in which case it does not flash, presumably because the compressor is not turned on when in "ECON" mode

 

- very feeble air flow from the vents, again this changes when in "ECON" mode and the air flow strength improves.

 

- took the Galaxy to Kwik-Fit to try and get it re-gassed, they said they could get no pressure at all and believe that there is a leak in the system. (To their credit they didn't charge me anything).

 

- took the car into a local garage, the guy there is well meaning and familiar with vehicle air conditioning in general but is not an expert on the Galaxy.

He's done a vacuum & dye test and can find no leaks. He reckons that the compressor is working OK, however he's felt the pipe from the compressor to the condenser and it is only luke warm.

He believes that this pipe should be quite hot when operating correctly, on the principle that compressed air does heat up (like a bike pump when pumping up a bike tyre).

So for some reason, the compressor does not appear to be pumping out the air that it's compressed.

 

My local garage mechanic is stumped, he reckons that it may need a new compressor (expensive) but I'm not convinced. Also, he reckons to remove the compressor would also mean a complete system flush-out would be needed, in case foreign objects have got into the system - again I'm not convinced about this, having read other threads on this forum.

 

I read the topic on the link below, this sounds to me like a possible cause except my Galaxy is a 53 plate (late 2003) and this thread appears to relate to Mk II Galaxys up to 2002 only.

 

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...13221&st=30

 

Any ideas or suggestions for my next steps in diagnosis would be much appreciated - thanks!

[seatkid]

Wear fewer/lighter clothes.

 

Feeble air flow? Blocked pollen filter.

[Triple Trouble]

Has any one attempted to read any diag codes that may be stored in the car? It could be that they might point to an issue. After nearly 2 years finally got mine sorted yesterday - diagnosis came up with 'failed sensor low pressure' or very similar - part delivered from local Ford agent (some 20 miles away) within the hour of phoning order, and 20 mins later I was the proud owner of a freezing cold 2003 MkII 1.9 TDi. It may be worth you getting an a/c specialist to loook at it. Good luck... :wacko:

[MrT]

Have you checked that when the aircon should be on that the centre of the compressor (three bolts) is rotating? When my compressor failed, it was the electromagnetic clutch that was no longer working. It was cheaper to buy and fit a remanufactured compressor than a new clutch.

 

I also had the famous condersor leak that could not be detected for a long time by dye or sniffer and when that happened I had the same symptons as yourself wiht the hot and cold pipes, flashing display etc.

 

None of the above should affect the rate of air flow from the vents, only its temperature. Surely if you put your fans on full, the airflow is the same on econ or auto?

 

I would not go on the reg plate as a true indication of the particular date build of car, it could have been dealer stock for a long time before it was registered, you can determine the build date from the VIN plate.

[fedupwithjunk]

We had the low pressure sensor error when we bought our Gal a couple of years ago and it was fixed by the garage under warranty. (Again no leak found and they determined it was the switch)

 

Its just done it again and I am hoping its a faulty switch again.

 

Can anyone tell me exactly where the low pressure switch is?

[Mirez]

Low pressure (and high really as its one unit) is drivers side, just in front of the wheel. Its outside of the engine undershield but covered by the bumpers lower shield, you should be able to look up through the gap between the engine shield and bumper and see a chrome coloured pipe with an electrical lump on it and thats your puppy.

 

As for this issue, if quicktfit say there is no pressure then, assuming they are correct, the pipes from the compressor shouldn't be getting hot - fullstop. The system won't allow the compressor to run with low pressure so the clutch wont engage and the compressor won't be working. I have to say I'm on the side of leak, or leakS. I suspect reading the codes will give you a low pressure error, and I'll be happy to say its probably the condensor/dryer unit. ;)

[seatkid]

Don't worry, summer will soon be over........

[spongebob_antspants]

To complete this story of my air conditioning problems....

 

As described above, no joy with any garages in diagnosing what the fundamental problem was. I was directed to a garage some miles away, the guy there is apparently a specialist in air conditioning. I spoke to him on the phone and got booked in. However I had to wait several weeks as he spends a lot of his time now training other garages on how to maintain and repair vehicle air conditioning systems, both in the UK and abroard, so he did seem to be well qualified. On the morning that I took my Galaxy in to his garage I had a chat to him and he repeated that it was necessary to have specialist training in air conditioning, pointed to his various certificates around the wall showing his qualifications in this field.

 

Anyway, I returned at the end of the day to hear what he'd found. He was adamant that the compressor was not working, the motor appeared to be turning but no compressed air was being generated. He showed me a cutaway model of a compressor to illustrate what he thought had happened - very ingenious piece of engineering, that compressor, I must say, but mine was apparently broken beyond repair. Cost of replacement for a reconditioned compressor, plus flushing the system, plus labour, plus VAT....

[gio]

To complete this story of my air conditioning problems....

 

As described above, no joy with any garages in diagnosing what the fundamental problem was. I was directed to a garage some miles away, the guy there is apparently a specialist in air conditioning. I spoke to him on the phone and got booked in. However I had to wait several weeks as he spends a lot of his time now training other garages on how to maintain and repair vehicle air conditioning systems, both in the UK and abroard, so he did seem to be well qualified. On the morning that I took my Galaxy in to his garage I had a chat to him and he repeated that it was necessary to have specialist training in air conditioning, pointed to his various certificates around the wall showing his qualifications in this field.

 

Anyway, I returned at the end of the day to hear what he'd found. He was adamant that the compressor was not working, the motor appeared to be turning but no compressed air was being generated. He showed me a cutaway model of a compressor to illustrate what he thought had happened - very ingenious piece of engineering, that compressor, I must say, but mine was apparently broken beyond repair. Cost of replacement for a reconditioned compressor, plus flushing the system, plus labour, plus VAT....

[Charlie]

Spongebob,

 

Now your A/C is working I would be interested to know something (as I believe the statement made by Mirez about hot pipes is incorrect).

 

Looking in the engine bay from the front, the pipe from the compressor on the right will get HOT and the larger pipe on the left will get VERY COLD with some condensation forming on the outside.

 

My A/C is working very well and this is what happens on mine,

[mikej]

Now your A/C is working I would be interested to know something (as I believe the statement made by Mirez about hot pipes is incorrect).

 

I think you may have misunderstood what he is saying is that if the pressure is down then the compressor won't kick in and hence you will not get one hot pipe or indeed a cold pipe ! :angry2:

[Charlie]

Apologies everyone, Mikej your right I

[Mirez]

Thought I was in the sticky stuff for a moment there! lol :angry2:

[mikej]

quote Looking in the engine bay from the front, the pipe from the compressor on the right will get HOT and the larger pipe on the left will get VERY COLD with some condensation forming on the outside.

 

Right can some clear this up for me as i am a little confused now ( it don't take much i know ) my car ia a 2001 2.3 petrol gal mk2 , standing outside the car looking into the engine bay right at the front are the two pipes to refill or vaccume out the aircon , i have one THIN alloy aircon pipe on the LEFT and a LARGER aircon pipe on the RIGHT this one i ssummed to be the high pressure one from the compressor as it enters the condensor at the top , anyhow when buying a topup can of refrigerant from say Halfrauds , this can will only fit the THIN pipe on the LEFT am i right in assuming it doesn't matter which side of the compressor you add it as this i thought was the low pressure side ? also which pipe should get hot , the larger on the right or the smaller on the left ? Finally i have climate control which i have been told before this is NOT dual aircon even though you have controls for it on the aircon panel apparently its only to recirculate the air. So do i fill the system with the 700 +50g's or 1050 + 50g's , i am about to fit my second condensor /reciever/drier in a week (see other aircon post) and will get the system vacc'd out for approx 45mins before its refilled , apparently the system should contain 200mls of oil also for the compressor , is this to be added on top of the refridgerant figure??? B) :angry2: :blink:

[mikej]

Best place to buy a aircon compressor anyone ? , need i say more ! i think i may have to consider just taking all the windows out instead lol.... :)

[MrT]

These guys were very helpful and reasonably priced when I used them. They worked with my local specialist to supply and collect parts. Been OK for two years now.

 

http://www.compressortech.co.uk/