Manual Air Con - Basic Checks

[GaryM]

Hi all,

 

Just brought a 2000 (new shape) Zetec with manual air-con. Currently manual in the sense that opening the windows has the best effect :o .

 

Anyway what advise do you have to do some basic tests to find the fault(s)? I have had an old shape Galaxy and a Sharan both with climate control as company cars and these had to be regassed loads of times and never got that cold.

 

Currently about all that happens is that the AC switch lights up. No cooling fans start, no click or drop in revs as the clutch engauges.

 

What is with these AC systems that make them so unreliable? Has anyone any hints or tips that make them so?

 

Gary

[Guest emjay]

1st check i suppose is the pressure ....... no pressure usually means no gas, which may mean a leak??, almost certainly a specialist job!!. My experience tells me never to go to your main dealer as they don't know enough to troubleshoot ( a little knowledge can be very dangerous - & very expensive!!!!!) ... my advise - go to an AC specialist where they have the experience to PROPERLY troubleshoot. Good luck.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Sounds like you are about to join the hordes of those with aircon problems.....

These originate because of (a) a badly designed system and poor quality components. Can't do anything about (a), but with you take pot luck on the reliability and efficiency of the system in your particular car.

The condenser (? thing that sits by the water radiator under the engine bay) is prone to corroding and springing a leak, and there are a few other reasons for gas to escape, some of which elude VW who designed the system. If there is little or no gas in the system, a sensor is supposed to prevent the compresor from running. Assuming you have no warranty cover for your aircon system, I would suggest starting by trying to establish of your compressor works. If it does, then get the system checked for gas and oil. If there is none left, you need to establish if there is a leak. This is best done by an aircon specialist who can put the system under vacuum and see if it stays under vacuum pr gradually rises to atmospheric. I'm sure other people with better technical knowledge of aircon systems will post more detailed info on what to do.

Best of luck!

 

Ho ho - had to edit this because letters in round brackets produced some smileys!