Aircon Problem

[Jamthesun]

I have a Y reg 1.9TD Ghia with a frustrating aircon problem. I gather I'm not alone in that!

 

The problem is that when it is cold the aircon works perfectly. When the weather is hot it doesn't. In the cool there is no flashing of the LCD when I switch the car on. When it's hot the display flashes a few times before staying on but there is no cold air.

 

I have taken the car to the garage several times but everytime I've booked it in the weather hasn't been hot and they can't replicate the fault!

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[MrT]

This happened on mine when the refrigerant level was too low.

 

It also happened to me today then the f**ing clutch packed in on the compressor. I have checked the 12V to which is present when its required and it still will turn by hand, but I reckon it is cheaper to replace the compressor than the clutch.

[ghr]

The display on mine doesn't flash and changing the condensor receiver/dryer appears to have solved the leak. Hot day today and it blew cold and I mean refrigerator cold. The ac fan noise wasn't constant. Then the fan noise became constant and then a fight between warm and cold ensued. Warm won. The condensor clutch engages when the ac is switched on. It doesn't clunk on engagement but makes more of a persistent grating noise. The pressure switch is okay. Sound familiar? Edited August 3, 2011 by ghr

[Andrew G]

I have the same problem in my 03 1.9 TDi Ghia Galaxy. The warmer it gets, the more useless the air con.

 

The system starts ok and produces cold air. Then after a minute or so it gives up. After that I feel a small retardation on the engine as (i think) the compressor switches on and off over the period of about 30 seconds. No cooling though.

 

I get no flashing on any panels. The system was very recently regassed by a good old main dealer and was in good order, but ever since.... no good.

 

When I get out of the car with air con Auto selected a fan is screaming its head off.

 

I have convinced myself that the system is unable to lose heat from the transfer circuit and switches itself off but then tries again to meet the demand for cooling. Poor thing.

 

From that I wildly jump to thinking the fan is not working on the system radiator but that doesn't explain the screaming from under the bonnet when I get out. It sounds like everything is well, no bearing issues for example and when it does cool it is cold.

 

Any ideas out there?

 

I'm back at the dealer on Friday, when it's not going too be so hot :-(

[seatkid]

Screaming or grating noise is probably from the compressor clutch. Needless to say it wont last long like that..... When the a/c is turned on you should quite a loud "clack" when the clutch pulls in( when outside the car)

 

Reasons for a slipping compressor clutch are

 

Failing compressor - internally seizing or shedding debris that blocks the expansion valve.

 

Low voltage at the clutch connector due to an electrical fault.

 

Overfilled system - although this situation should be protected by the 3 way pressure switch - there seems to be a general ignorance of how to read the a/c weight label. Most of us do not have dual a/c (that rare option has rear mounted roof vents that supply true cooled air and only one opening rear quarter window). Having dual LCD temp controls does not indicate having a dual zone a/c. Many a system has been filled to the higher value on the label in error. It may work for a short while and then cut out due to excessive system pressure.

Edited August 3, 2011 by seatkid

[cjblues]

I'm having a similar problem with my 02 Galaxy. The A/C has been sucessfully re-gassed and the unit will clear any misting inside, but little or no cold air. The LCD unit flashes for about 20 seconds when the ignition is turned on indicating a problem. Diagostics show a fault code of 01187, something to do with Temp Valve Rear V137 - Rear Temp Flap Control Motor. Seems a bit suspect to me. Any ideas ? One other thing, I notice that when I activate the A/C at tick over, the engine revs dip a bit then come up, then dip again, etc..

[Andrew G]

Thanks Seatkid but the screaming all sounds fine not like a failure is about to happen. What I mean by it is a fan somewhere seems like it might be working really hard to get rid of the heat from the system. I think when it is hot it can't manage it for whatever reason. Today on the way home at 20degC I got fridge cold air all the way home, easily creating condensation on the outside of the windscreen. So it can cool when its a bit cooler outside. When I get trouble is when it is hot outside, 28degC on way home last night, kept cutting out. Then even working its ballbearings off the system doesn't seem able to dump the heat.

 

I will check the radiator and connectors tonight but then over to the dealer tomorrow.

 

I like the sound of the rear flap valve error, that might explain it if something has stuck or failed that prevents heat dissipation by the system.

 

Thanks all, I'll report back if it gets sorted.

Edited August 4, 2011 by Andrew G