Aircon Problems

[John Nellist]

My 51 Galaxy has had an epic air con fail, the compressor siezed 3 weeks ago when I was 250 miles from home visiting family, phoned Ford to get a quote, that was a mistake,

[John Nellist]

Oh by the way, where is the drier unit located, I guess I should change that at the same time as I fit the new compressor??

[chrispb123456]

Hi there
The drier cartridge is on the left hand end of the condenser, that's between the radiator and front grill, and looking at the car from the front.
You will need to undo the top screws of the grill, then there is a plastic cap to remove then the circlip.

[a.spillane]

About to re-book gal in for a regas due to a leak ( have flashing display on climate control panel on start up ), I have been told previously that the gas is leaking from a plastic servicable part ??? That would easily be replaced.

I have no knowledge of air con systems, however I do know that the galaxy has a number of issues with air con.

Does any have any idea with this seriveable part is and a rough idea of how much this should cost (ie part and rough cost to fit and regas ???)

Any advice suggestions welcome

[v6mikey]

Just as a heads up. The gases now used in the AC system are not harmful to the atmosphere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane

It is still illegal to vent the system to the atmosphere though.

[burnett]

I believe it's this pipe that's failed on mine but my man can't get a replacement.(It's been on back order for a year!)
Anyone know where to find one?

Thanks

[Bigjeeze]

[quote name='burnett' date='14 July 2010 - 10:38 AM' timestamp='1279100309' post='156067']
I believe it's this pipe that's failed on mine but my man can't get a replacement.(It's been on back order for a year!)
Anyone know where to find one?

Thanks
[/quote]


What pipe exactly?

[chris123]

i have a 1.9tdi 2001 and have many faults with the air con. the gas keeped leaking and after several attemps to get it fixed the condenser was changed seems ok now

[Thomas K]

I bought my 2001 (or 2002 ?) 1.9TDI secondhand some five years ago. I hardly ever use the aircon as I prefer to use the ECO mode and roll down the windows. Last year, however, I had the non-functioning aircon fixed for a huge amount of money, as me and the wife planned a trip through southern Europe. This year, the aircon is not working again. The heating is working allright, but that is of very little use right now. I still love my car though, and I have found this forum very usefull.

Sorry if my English is a bit odd. I figure that you know what I mean anyway. Edited June 9, 2011 by Thomas K

[chrispb123456]

[quote name='Thomas K' timestamp='1307607471' post='165131']
I bought my 2001 (or 2002 ?) 1.9TDI secondhand some five years ago. I hardly ever use the aircon as I prefer to use the ECO mode and roll down the windows. Last year, however, I had the non-functioning aircon fixed for a huge amount of money, as me and the wife planned a trip through southern Europe. This year, the aircon is not working again. The heating is working allright, but that is of very little use right now. I still love my car though, and I have found this forum very usefull.

Sorry if my English is a bit odd. I figure that you know what I mean anyway.
[/quote]
Hi there
Running with aircon off constantly (econ) will not have done the seals any good as they tend to dry out, having said that these vehicles are prone to leaks around condensor/drier area, and now with the age of your car lt will be suffering from corroded/leaking pipes.

[v6mikey]

I replaced my compressor last year and since then left the AC on auto. It still works great. I reckon that keeping the AC on econ (AC off) damages the system very quickly.

Most handbooks state that you should use the AC at least once a week to keep things moving.

The reason most people turn the AC off is for fuel economy, must admit I have not noticed any difference in fuel economy with the AC on of off.

[seatkid]

[quote name='v6mikey' timestamp='1307617235' post='165133']
The reason most people turn the AC off is for fuel economy, must admit I have not noticed any difference in fuel economy with the AC on of off.
[/quote]
Maybe because you got a V6 in which case fuel economy is a term that doesnt apply.

[jinksy]

[quote name='mrumbongo' timestamp='1086727774' post='16289']
I've been reading these forums for three months now, since I bought a one year old Galaxy Ghia, wondering when it would happen to me. Well it happened yesterday. The panel on the climate control started flashing but it still seemed to be blowing cold air. Phoned the ford garage who booked me in today (well done for the prompt service Evans Halshaw, Brighton) Picked up the car today and freezing cold air coming out of the vents. It still has a flashing panel for 15 secs each time its turned on though. Why is this?
[/quote]
it says in the book that if panel flashes for 15 seconds theres a fault somewhere? mine was doing it but had return pipe changed as was split and its stopped flashing now.

[jinksy]

[quote name='Martyn' timestamp='1092234110' post='19275']
Thank you Ivor E Tower and Andrew T !

That was just the sort of news I wasn't hoping for !!

Yes I am shopping around, I thought this would be the best place to start since we are the experts here !!

I have been quoted

[ghr]

The aircon on my Mk2 is now working. Why or how I don't know. I changed the condensor/dryer with the help of this forum and had it refilled and although there was no leak it would start off icy then slowly up warm after ten minutes or so. Switching it off for 5 or 10 minutes and then back on again would see it blowing icy air again but the cold/warm cycle would start again. The pipes connected to the condenser would be hot on the right and cool on the left but would warm up and cool down respectively. A week or so of switching it on and off now and again in the vain hope of it working it blew out this horrendous smell which quickly cleared itself. After this it worked and has worked since. Through the recent hot spell I was in France where it hit 30 degC it was still blowing icy cold air. Evening during the 500 mile return trip on the motorway it was 27 degC and it was still chucking out icy air. Cool without open windows and a hurricane blowing in your ear is a novelty.

I haven't the faintest what happened to make it work and I can't see how the sudden occurence of this smell could have anything to do with what is a sealed system. The system had been 'dry' and not working for 4 years since it was condemned by Delboy and Rodney down at the local Frauds after a few hundred quidsworth of work (Frauds knew about the widespread condensor problem but failed to diagnose it; no change there then).

One thing I reported here earlier was that the compressor clutch was making a grinding noise rather than a clunk when I switched the aircon on. Now it makes a clunk. I'm happy it's working but puzzled as to why.

[seatkid]

Some models (notably Ford engined) have an icing thermo switch mounted on the evaporator. You may have had a build of sludgy bacterial growth somewhere in the evaporator near the switch, restricting airflow and/or allowing ice to build up or the temperature to drop excessively around the switch, so switching off the compressor as the switch tripped.

Then at some point this blockage/mould was dislodged (hence the smell) and the airflow restored around the switch preventing excessive ice.Maybe a blocked drain tube was the initial reason for your problem.

Alternatively it could have been a slipping compressor clutch due to low voltage (grinding noise), but now is OK due to connector righting itself. Smell might have been electrical or mechanical. Edited October 9, 2011 by seatkid

[ghr]

[quote name='seatkid' timestamp='1318178795' post='168253']
Smell might have been electrical or mechanical.
[/quote]

The smell was definitely organic so I suspect the blockage and bacteria. Either way it's working a treat now. Thanks to yourself and others here and perhaps a bit of luck I am one happy chappy.

Cheers mate. Edited October 10, 2011 by ghr

[dulfa]

hello , i have problems with my AC on 2001 Galaxy , the screen is flashing for 10-15 sec on engine start ,end the cold air is coming in ,on vagcom its show me V154 code foullt witch is the fresh air clap motor , i check if its working by spraying in the front of the car where the pollen filter is , end is sime to me that is ok , please tell me if is necessery to thake of the entyre dashboard to change the V154 or i can reeach to it behaind the glove compartment?
best regard

[SilverBeast]

[quote name='dulfa' timestamp='1339957011' post='173336']
hello , i have problems with my AC on 2001 Galaxy , the screen is flashing for 10-15 sec on engine start ,end the cold air is coming in ,on vagcom its show me V154 code foullt witch is the fresh air clap motor , i check if its working by spraying in the front of the car where the pollen filter is , end is sime to me that is ok , please tell me if is necessery to thake of the entyre dashboard to change the V154 or i can reeach to it behaind the glove compartment?
best regard
[/quote]

Have a look [url="http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/18249-vag-com-code/"]here[/url] and see if that helps.

[dirtyduck]

Sounds like you have all seen this before....total failure due to pipe fracture coming up from compressor to low pressure charge port.

Looked into pipe replacement but looking at £200 just for the pipe.

Climate control panel blinks away for the first 30 seconds after start up. Thank heavens its not been a hot summer so far !

[SilverBeast]

Ring round some mobile air con specialists. You may find they can repair the pipe. They did on mine, though that was more because it was a likely to be a bigger job to replace it. Alternatively, if you can get the pipe from ebay, they can possibly fit that instead for you

[alan_131]

There's some stuff called durafix easyweld, although despite the name it seems to be more of a solder/braze. I've never used it, don't know anyone who has, but demo shows "welding" aluminium with apparently good results. Because it works below the melting point of aluminium, fewer issues in some respects. But it requires a gas flame, so pipe still has to come off, and if you only find out it hasn't worked when they recharge you could be out the cost of the regas... Just a thought...

[dirtyduck]

Thanks Guys will look into your both suggestions.

I have also been told as its a low pressure pipe that I should try self amalgamating tape wrap?

Sounds unlikely, but tempted to try anything to keep the costs down.

I will let you all know how I get on, take some pictures just in case its successful.

This is my first input to the site but I want to say how good it is, just from what I have read here over the last month or two I have -

1. Repaired my door looms to sort the central locking
2. Replaced my Alternator freewheel pulley to regain my PAS at idle
3. Freed off the VGT mechanism on my turbo to stop limp home on a sharp hill/ mid range acceleration

Just the AC to sort for now and the list is done( plus drop links and rear tyres !)

But the Galaxy drives so well - its worth a bit of pain !

Thanks for all your help.

[chrispb123456]

What you have to appreciate is that any vehicle will lose gas naturally over time, so considering the system is under pressure even when not running the very slightest leak will cause loss of aircon in a very short time, so chancing a bodged repair may turn out to be more costly in the long run.

[dirtyduck]

Good point, well presented chrispb - I will stick with plan A !