Aircon Problems

[Boozynights]

Yep ours too (2000 1.9tdi).
Only had it a month, blew warm air plus had the flashing display from day 1, been back to garage for re-gas, still warm - plus nothing at all coming from the front centre blowers?? Going back in on Saturday, but the garage have already suggested we may have to cough up.

At least I have a few pointers now as to what it could be e.g relay etc.

Thanks

[mumof4]

if you have only had it a month..and the problem has always been there..why are they expecting you to cough up????..did you get a warrenty with it????

[Boozynights]

Gave us 30 days warranty, already been back for re-gas (totally empty of gas and oil) - problem still not solved, air bag switched off, air bag light re-set, window switches not working, 2 x broken rear suspension springs, new exhaust, 2 x front tyres (aparantly had only just passed mot with the last 3 problems not being picked up??)

So I think they are losing patience, and lots of money!

I'll fight it though!

[jkspoff]

Yep, the Kwik Fit offer seems like a good one. It may well be worth while getting it regassed there every year, so that the compressor remains well lubricated etc.

[Smilge]

[quote name='Boozynights' post='112931' date='Aug 8 2007, 09:52:23']Gave us 30 days warranty, already been back for re-gas (totally empty of gas and oil) - problem still not solved, air bag switched off, air bag light re-set, window switches not working, 2 x broken rear suspension springs, new exhaust, 2 x front tyres (aparantly had only just passed mot with the last 3 problems not being picked up??)

So I think they are losing patience, and lots of money!

I'll fight it though![/quote]

Good man! ...... Im having problems with AA Warranty on my sons car at the moment due to a gearbox jumping out of second. They've just told me its down to fair wear and tear and they won't be approving the work! 57K miles ........ B********S!!!

My fingers are still frozen from my aircon though ...lol

[sparky Paul]

The saga continues... unfortunately...

I tried the aircon again today. Hmmm... certainly not as cold as it was.

Looked under the car... Aaaargh! Green goob on the bottom of the dryer!

The joint I was concerned about on the dryer is weeping. Nipping the union block up onto the dryer made it worse, the corroded part of the block is causing it to twist rather than seat onto the new pipe properly. This block is part of the pipe which goes from the dryer to the condensor, so it's another new pipe needed... Local dealer has back ordered from Ford, pipe should be here in the morning. I asked about the reliability of delivery, and the chap helpfully confirmed that the item was on stock with Ford whilst I was on the phone, and promised a call in the morning as soon as the pipe arrives.

Now the manual says this pipe is a headlights/front grill/bumper-off job, but I reckon I can fiddle it in by just undoing the bumper bottom brackets...

Parts total so far...

[sparky Paul]

Well, the good news first.

New pipe from dryer to condensor was relatively easy to fit, certainly a lot easier than the one from the dryer to the evaporator. Managed to do it without removing the bumper, just had to detach the bottom brackets.

OH took it back to Kwik-Fit who, top points to them, regassed it for free because their machine didn't detect the leak.

Now the bad news.

According to the printout, they have overcharged it with gas and oil. Aaargh!

What was I saying about the machine they use being 'idiot proof'? They have charged it as a front/rear aircon model, i.e. 900g of gas instead of 550g our standard single evaporator system needs... and they got it right first time they did it...

Oh well, third time lucky. I could really do without this, we're going on holiday in the old bus this Saturday!

[seatkid]

[i]Puts record on turntable....."We're almost there......we're almost....."[/i]

I'm surprised you got a free regas, as leak finding is not their responsibilty. Were they willing to do it without arguement?

[quote][i]What was I saying about the machine they use being 'idiot proof'?[/i][/quote]
You surely meant foolproof not idiot proof. Thats why I like to look over the shoulder and offer little tidbits of advice in these situations. Quite difficult for Seatkid to do without annoying people as I'm sure you will all testify to.

You earned my admiration for your perserverence... you deserve to win this one........

[i]
btw.....are you sure about 550g?....mine is 950g, single evaporator but then its a diesel.[/i] Edited August 9, 2007 by seatkid

[elted]

I had an 02 Sharan, when air con stopped working brought it to VW dealer, they said the ac return pipe?? was leaking. I was quoted 320 yo-yo's(Dublin) for the pipe and wait for it, €220 for a re-gas. Needless to say we did without ac for the next few months!
I got an 04 Alhambra just last week, I was disappointed to see it only had manual ac. but on the 25.4 deg drive home, it was like sitting in a fridge the kids were complaining that it was too cold. I was plesently suprised.

[sparky Paul]

[quote name='seatkid' post='113152' date='Aug 9 2007, 21:32:38']I'm surprised you got a free regas, as leak finding is not their responsibilty. Were they willing to do it without arguement?[/quote]
Absolutely no quibbling. In fact, OH was ready to pay when they told her that there would be no charge - can't argue with that.

The machine (Robinair Cooltech AC 650) does a leak test on the system, and it did not pick the leak up - normally they wouldn't proceed if a problem was detected. The machine tests for leaks under vacuum, I would guess that the o-rings on a poorly seated pipe wouldn't behave under vacuum as they would under pressure, and that may be why the leak wasn't detected. Still, I didn't expect them to regas it for free.

[quote name='seatkid' post='113152' date='Aug 9 2007, 21:32:38']btw.....are you sure about 550g?....mine is 950g, single evaporator but then its a diesel.[/i][/quote]
Bloody hell, you're right!

I've been backwards and forwards that much with this one, I've got completely mixed up - I just had the figures from the original regas in my head.

So they gassed it up wrongly the first time... definitely 550g on the first job sheet.


[b]Thanks seatkid, you're my hero...[/b]

...and I won't be making a fool of myself tomorrow. Edited August 9, 2007 by sparky Paul

[Boozynights]

Took it in Sat morning and aircon guy put it on diagnostic machine, turns out the centre vent motor is caput, and there is an electrical fault on the air con system.

What HAS happened though is strange, it does actually work for about 5 mins - icy cold, then warms up, but i've found if I turn it off for 5 mins, then back on it works again for about another 5 mins??? and keeps doing this throughout the journey? Weird

Got an auto electrician looking over it sometime this week, looks like the dash has to come out to sort the centre vent problem.

[NikpV]

wonder if the problem(whatever it is) is causing the ice sensor to turn off the air con after it has run for a while - umm

[michaelbradford]

Hi my air con has been off - had it checked and they said it was full didnt need re-gassing - how can I check clutch electrics and what fuses

thanks

[Boozynights]

Mine is all sorted now, at last I have icy cold air! The centre blower motor was caput as someone had put a pen down the vent The air con wasn't staying cold because aparantly the fan wasn't cooling the rad enough - all sorted now just in time for winter

[seatkid]

[quote name='Boozynights' post='114740' date='Sep 3 2007, 07:44:49']all sorted now just in time for winter [/quote]
Hehe.....typical....

[legin]

My galaxy is a P reg 2.8 and my a/c stoped last summer [06].Regased it worked fine and that was the first time since purchased in '01.I was told that a/c failure was common!

[Triple Trouble]

Had the old girl serviced and a/c checked by a local independent garage - gas presssure was fine following replenishment in March, but the a/c sensor readings were all out to what they should have been. Upon checking the slots at the top of the climate control panel, it was found that they were mostly blocked with fluff/dust etc and stopping one of the fans from working. A good clean has cleared all the debris, and I now have a fully functioning automatic climate control that works!! yipee, just in time for trip to EuroDisney, with 7 people Hopefully this might help some people, just another design fault from our German cousins?

[adrianf.]

Off topic but when are you going to Eurodisney?. Im going on Monday night.

Adrian.

[Triple Trouble]

Hi adrian, See post in Gen section where I've attempted to answer your question - is this event called a bump?

BTW, another tip - don't travel over with to much diesel in tank - was about 1.04 euros/ltr when we were in France in May

[staglad]

Had mine re gassed, lasted about 3 month now something under the dash is hissing if i turn it on with no cold air coming out so i don't use it and proberbly never will again cos it sounds expensive.

[Beyond Help?]

My compressor clutch bearings failed completely. On removal of the pump they have been spinning the inner & outer race and it has damaged both the clutch and the pump. I may source another pump if I can be bothered. In the mean time the water pump pulley has been changed and a different set of belts fitted so the car can be used.

[DougJones]

On purchasing my 53 plate Alhambra 130se tdi in June last year I found the aircon was not working. Seat dealer Garage had vehicle back 5 or 6 times during the first month, and after several system recharges and replacement of minor parts, had to call in a specialist.
He soon diognosed compressor problems ond upon removal found substantial swarf damage. Compressor was replaced & system recharged - Has worked like a dream ever since (touch wood)!!!

[junglejim]

One of the pipes on the left side of the engine bay (looking from the front). It has been rubbing where it bends round the front of the inner wing/front panel. The rest of the aircon is(was) ok. I remember seeing a thread where someone cut the pipe and put in some rubber. I think I'll be doing that.

[AndyBWales]

Thought Id add my air con lack of life to the list ... not worked since I got the car ... thought it did once ... but no ... must have just been cold day! ... investigation required in time for summer .....

[mossy65]

Wish I hadn't read this thred.
My 2.3 goes in 2moz for A/C not getting cold and for hesitation under flat and light throttle.
Oh well fingers crossed.....