Diy Aircon Diagnosis

[Guest exemplum]

Hi All

 

Does anyone know of any DIY aircon checks that I could perform on my Gal?

 

I have a 1998 2.3 Ghia X with the digital controls for the Aircon / Climate control, but alas the aircon does not work at all. l just want to perform some checks first before I hand it over to a garage together with the best part of my savings!

 

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Many thanks.

 

Rob.

[Guest yurir]

Hi Rob,

 

Does the digital display flash when you turn the ignition on ?

If not, the the basic self check has passed.

 

Does the heating work ?

One common problem with Ford climate control systems used to be the hot/cold shutter (which is motor controlled) breaking, thus suppling the wrong temperature air to the interior.

 

Best wishes,

Yuri.

[AMacdonald]

Can you hear the compressor "moaning" when you turn it on? On my Alhambra that indicates that all the coolant has escaped (again).

[Guest exemplum]

Hi Rob,

 

Does the digital display flash when you turn the ignition on ?

If not, the the basic self check has passed.

 

Does the heating work ?

One common problem with Ford climate control systems used to be the hot/cold shutter (which is motor controlled) breaking, thus suppling the wrong temperature air to the interior.

 

Best wishes,

Yuri.

 

 

 

Can you hear the compressor "moaning" when you turn it on? On my Alhambra that indicates that all the coolant has escaped (again).

The Display is fine and doesn't flash, the heaters all work fine, and even demist the windscreen quickly when it's cold and wet outside. There is no noise from the compressor either. Just no cold air :rolleyes:

[Guest fredt]

IIRC there are a couple of self tests the unit can be made to do, these are are for the operation of the flaps and valves in the air handling unit and for the display

to set these tests in motion you have to press and hold a couple of the buttons on the unit and off it goes! will try and find the correct buttons for you

 

no noise from the compressor? when the AC is switched on do the engine cooling fans kick in? do the revs drop momentarily?

[johnb80]

Can you hear the compressor "moaning" when you turn it on? On my Alhambra that indicates that all the coolant has escaped (again).

If all of the refrigerant has escaped the compressor will not engage at all.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Have you checked all the fuses as a starting point?

[Guest exemplum]

IIRC there are a couple of self tests the unit can be made to do, these are are for the operation of the flaps and valves in the air handling unit and for the display

to set these tests in motion you have to press and hold a couple of the buttons on the unit and off it goes! will try and find the correct buttons for you

 

no noise from the compressor? when the AC is switched on do the engine cooling fans kick in? do the revs drop momentarily?

Thanks Fredt, would appreciate finding out about those selftest button configuration.

 

The revs do not drop when aircon is switched on and the engine fans do not cut in. I have noticed it takes about 40 secs for the blowers to kick in after ignition is switched on. Not sure if that is normal or indeed relevant.

 

Fuses have all be checked etc, all are intact.

 

Any more suggestions?

 

Many thanks for all of the replies so far!

 

Rob.

[Guest exemplum]

Hi Fredt -

 

Any progress on finding out the self test button combination for the heater control facia panel?

 

Many thanks in anticipation!

 

Rob.

[Guest fredt]

Hi Fredt -

 

Any progress on finding out the self test button combination for the heater control facia panel?

 

Many thanks in anticipation!

 

Rob.

sorry I have'nt got back to on this :huh: I'm having trouble with my copy of the TIS :rolleyes: I can read every section apart from the one with the climate control self test section :( I'm waiting on a new copy to arrive or my mate to get back from working away so I can borrow his copy, I would ask his wife for it, but she wouldnt have a clue where to look in his pig sty! sorry office :lol: as soon as one or the other happens I'l sort out the sequence for you

[dipsomaniac]

Hello Rob

 

You can test the control unit by pressing the three buttons displayed in the attached image simultaneously. All parts of the display should light up if it is working OK.

 

Apart from checking the fuses and checking the control motors it is very difficult and time consuming to pinpoint the fault without connecting it up to FDS software.

 

The TIS does list around 20 points to check for a failing A/c system but it is mainly checking voltage between circuits and relays. You would need to have access to a TIS to view these as it difficult to list them on this forum as each point has its own link.

[Masked Marauder]

There are only a few checks you can do without VAG-COM or FDS2000

 

To check the control unit:

 

1. Press buttons 1, 3 and 6 simultaneously.

 

2. All parts of the display must light up. If necessary, renew the control element.

 

To get the unit to check the individual components of the system:

 

Temperature Valve Control Motor:

Press button 3 or 4 until "Hi" or "Lo" appears on the display.

 

 

Air Distribution Control Motor:

Press button 1 or 5. The control motor then goes once through every setting.

 

 

Centre Vent Control Motor:

Press button 2. The control motor then goes once through every setting.