Aircon On Or Off

[Mauser]

Hi guys,

Hope you all well and gearing up for Xmas.

Anyway just wondering with the climate control on my 1999 2.3 Ghia motor how do I know if AC is on and when its off ?. I guess when its hot and I set the temp low it blows cold but what about winter times ?, is is always on trying to maintain whatever temperature I set or is there a certain temperature when its classed as off and above that its on ?.

Hope you understand my dribble.

Seasons Greetings

Simon

PS lost interest in changing pollen filter after reading the other posts ;).

[Andrew T]

I can't give you an answer, but I share your concern. I believe that for the long term health of your A/C system it is vital that it is used at least a few minutes a week to lubricate the seals in the system. In our previous car the automatic temperature control could be overiden and the A/C switched on. When it was sold at 7years old the A/C system have never been touched. It seems that with the automatic system on the Galaxy it is impossible have the A/C cooling until the Outside temperature is just below the interior temp. Or does the A/c work when selecting defrost ? if so I've not felt the compressor "kick in" or have I missed something ?

[Ian in Northampton]

Ah, you poor Ghia owners - so much more to worry about than we humble Zetec owners... Jealous? Moi?? ;)

[GalMan]

I was informed by my Ford dealer that if you set the CC down to LO it switches the AC on to cooling and that it's recommended to run it for 30 mins a month or more in that mode.

 

Galman.

[Goofygolfer]

hi when my climate control is set on auto you can hear the air con clicking on and off and just about feel the drag on the engine.but as the others have said,set the temp to low and you will know......if the external temp is above 4 deg c.

paul. ;)

[MrT]

The climate control will automatically turn the air con on to dehumidify and defrost/demist the screen in cold weather. No idea exaclty what conditions determine this, but it works. It also turns the heated screen on as appropriate.

 

You can force the screen mode by pressing button with the picture of the screen on the climate control unit.

[Topbloke]

the aircon will only work when the external temp is above a preset minnimum (dont know what this is but think its about 5 degs) i don't know if this is the same for cc, i do run the aircon as best as i can through the winter months but it all depends on outside temp

[Guest blatters]

Choosing 'auto' on the climate control panel switches the aircon on. I know this because (1) you get that momentary drag on the electrical circuit /drag on the engine and (2) it dehumidifies the air as evident on the windscreen and side windows. So it is my firm opinion that the aircon seals get lubricated by doing this.

 

Personally, I go easy on the 'auto' button and tend to use it in 'econ' mode most of the time. In this mode you still get climate control but, because the aircon unit is off, you're not wasting fuel. I also suspect that leaving the auto aircon unit on most of the time might be contributing to the early failure of the units through contstant use - just a hunch, can't prove it!

 

Defrost also activates the aircon to dehumidify. The inside of the screen rarely steams up with just 1 or 2 people in the cabin so 'auto' is not always needed. But as with all aircon units (my Vectra was the same) when you turn them off it seems that the build up of condensation in the system has to evaporate out for a while. This means that after turning the aircon off you tend to get a mist on the inside of the screen for a while.

 

Anyway, just my personal experiences and views. All the best.

 

Blatters :)

[rwtomkins]

I can't back it up with facts but I believe blatters is correct - as long as the auto function is on, the aircon system is operating and the climate control mixes appropriate quantities of chilled and heated air to provide the right level of warmth and humidity in the cabin. If I remember correctly the handbook states the need to run the aircon for at least 30 mins a month but does not state any need to fool the aircon into switching itself on by selecting an abnormally low temperature setting.

 

If anyone is still in doubt, you don't have to freeeze to death to make sure the aircon is on - you can set the climate control to an abnormally high temperature, then reset it to normal, and you will feel the aircon cooling the cabin down. But I'm convinced this is completely unnecessary.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Hope you all well and gearing up for Xmas.

Ghia-ing up for Christmas?

:lol:

[seatkid]

At the definite probability of boring everyone to death :lol:

 

A guide to the shalalxy cc cc cc cc zzzzzz....

 

When you select auto, the compressor will engage and run, provided

 

1) external temperature indicated on the cc panel is greater than or equal to 5 deg C

 

2) the fan setting is one bar or more

 

3) the system isn't overheating (unlikely)

 

4) the evaporator isn't iced up (unlikely)

 

4) you havent lost all the gas due to a leak (quite likely)

 

5) you haven't got an obscure electrical fault (some poor buggers have nothing but)

 

6) there is an r in the the month ;)

 

The compressor is a fixed displacement pump that runs permanently provided the above conditions are true and temperature control is acheived simply by diverting the already cooled air through or around the heater matrix with computer controlled flaps.

 

When you press ECON, the compressor is switched off. Of course, just to keep you guessing, when you change the fan settings, you might lose the Auto/Econ indicator in which case you are expected to use the on board computer in your head to remember.

 

BTW if it is in ECON mode ....turning on the demist function silently switches it to AUTO (and back to ECON when switched off)

 

 

Note that the compressor will not work when its colder than 5 deg C outside - which is half the year in some european climates.

 

 

When Auto is selected, the radiator fan will run at least at half speed (unless some prat has messed about with the programming)

 

My opinion?

 

:start rant...:lol:

 

Why do you "need" to run the pump at least x minutes every y days? Simply so that Ford and VW can keep up the pretence that modern materials arent up to the job. Its another load of bollocks .....

 

Why do you "need" to change the pollen filter every 10k? You don't, but it makes Ford and VW dealers feel good....

 

 

Yes I know certain members will start up chuntering about the merits of servicing, all systems leak etc etc but I say bollocks, my heating system dont leak, break down, leak, throw a tantrum etc. NEiTHER SHOULD MY CC!

 

:end rant.... ;)

[Guest fredt]

oooh! who's upset you today? ;) all this rantings not good for you :lol: you sit back kick of your shoe's, reach for a beer and chill out :lol: the chill bit's only possible if your AC's working that is? ;)

[johnb80]

At the definite probability of boring everyone to death :lol:

 

A guide to the shalalxy cc cc cc cc zzzzzz....

 

When you select auto, the compressor will engage and run, provided

 

1) external temperature indicated on the cc panel is greater than or equal to 5 deg C

 

2) the fan setting is one bar or more

 

3) the system isn't overheating (unlikely)

 

4) the evaporator isn't iced up (unlikely)

 

4) you havent lost all the gas due to a leak (quite likely)

 

5) you haven't got an obscure electrical fault (some poor buggers have nothing but)

 

6) there is an r in the the month ;)

 

The compressor is a fixed displacement pump that runs permanently provided the above conditions are true and temperature control is acheived simply by diverting the already cooled air through or around the heater matrix with computer controlled flaps.

 

When you press ECON, the compressor is switched off. Of course, just to keep you guessing, when you change the fan settings, you might lose the Auto/Econ indicator in which case you are expected to use the on board computer in your head to remember.

 

BTW if it is in ECON mode ....turning on the demist function silently switches it to AUTO (and back to ECON when switched off)

 

 

Note that the compressor will not work when its colder than 5 deg C outside - which is half the year in some european climates.

 

 

When Auto is selected, the radiator fan will run at least at half speed (unless some prat has messed about with the programming)

 

My opinion?

 

:start rant...:lol:

 

Why do you "need" to run the pump at least x minutes every y days? Simply so that Ford and VW can keep up the pretence that modern materials arent up to the job. Its another load of bollocks .....

 

Why do you "need" to change the pollen filter every 10k? You don't, but it makes Ford and VW dealers feel good....

 

 

Yes I know certain members will start up chuntering about the merits of servicing, all systems leak etc etc but I say bollocks, my heating system dont leak, break down, leak, throw a tantrum etc. NEiTHER SHOULD MY CC!

 

:end rant.... ;)

Sorry to disagree, no infact I'm happy to disagree, you're talking the bollocks!

 

1) The compressor does NOT run continuously, if it does you have a fault on your system - gas leak, faulty thermo control valve etc etc.

20 Air con compressors SHOULD be run frequently to stop the seals drying out.

 

You compare it to a heating system and say yours doesn't leak, pump it up to 200 psi like the aircon and I bet it would leak then !

 

Chill out, have a drink and stand corrected ;)

 

Regards - JB

[seatkid]

All the drink in the world won't make stand corrected.....sic, under normal circumstances the compressor does run continuously when cc is on (auto) , 200psi describes only part of the system - between pump and condensor

:ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

bah - told u lot that even if they fitted square wheels that someone would say "thats how its supposed to be...

 

spare wheel winches should be wound regularly to stop them seizing....

[johnb80]

All the drink in the world won't make stand corrected.....sic, under normal circumstances the compressor does run continuously when cc is on (auto) , 200psi describes only part of the system - between pump and condensor

:ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

bah - told u lot that even if they fitted square wheels that someone would say "thats how its supposed to be...

 

spare wheel winches should be wound regularly to stop them seizing....

Then you need to get your system looked at, either the compressor is knackered or it's leaked some of the gas. The compressor should cycle regularly, it does on my gal and on my last 10 or 12 cars that have had aircon / cc.

 

Yes the 200 psi does describe the hp side of it and that's exactly where the front seal of the compressor is which is why you need it to be well lubed and supple in order for it to seal efficiently. When it is stationary for a long time it sticks to the shaft and becomes hard and brittle which affects it's performance dramatically.

 

Anyway you know what they say about Yorkshire men "You can always tell a Yorkshireman..... but yer can't tell im much" :lol:

 

Regards - JB

[Mauser]

Hi guys,

Sorry bit late getting round to reading the replies ;). Opened a can of worms with this one I think ;). Anyway what would you do if you lived somewhere where it was below 5 degree's ?.

I normally leave my front fan on 1 black bar and the rear ones on 0 then just set the temperature to keep it nice around 22-24 ish I was just wondering if its on or off in this state :o.

If I don't see you before have a great Christmas & New Year and I will keep Ghia'ring up for it :o.

Cheers Simon

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Anyway what would you do if you lived somewhere where it was below 5 degree's ?.

Move house ;) ;) :o

 

 

 

...but seriously - run an electric fan heater (or maybe 2 for a vehicle with such a large interior volume) into the car from the house and run it off a timer switch to make sure it was nicely warmed up before I got in.

[ALARM MAN]

Well all you lot have your difference of opinion mmmmmmmmmmm

 

What can i say to upset everyone oooh yes

 

The compresser pulley runs all the time whan swiched on the cluch makes the world go aound the world go around

 

SO THERE BBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[ALARM MAN]

:ph34r:

[Guest pnwheels]

The compressor needs to cut in and out otherwise the evaporator will ice up.

[seatkid]

Just checked the TIS....depending on model variant, some models are fitted with fixed displacement pumps (e.g. Ford engines) and others with Sanden variable displacement pumps. I wonder if my TDi cc is equipped with such a variable displacement pump - these don't need to be "cycled" as delivery is varied automatically.

 

This is reinforced as there doesn't seem to be a deicing switch in the evaporator on my model. There are on 2.0 and 2.3litre models.