Climate Control

[Paul]

Well now!!!

 

Booked the Gal into Fraud dealer that originally supplied it. Said they would attempt a re-gas and pressure test, cost

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Display matrix flashes for 15 seconds to indicate fault, then behaves as if everything is OK, even if it isn't. Don't be fooled.

[seatkid]

Sounds typical dealer bunkum (is that how it's spelt?)

 

1. CC Display has nothing to do with your leak, the flashing is deliberate and indicates there is a system fault - in your case, low gas pressure due to.....no gas.....

 

2. I know someone will say otherwise, but compressors rarely leak, if they do its very slowly.

 

Your leak is most likely because.....

 

The condensor has a hole in it (thats the first big radiator right at the front of the car), some model years the condensor has dodgy end fitments (where the pipes attach)

 

or

 

The Evaporator has corroded and split (Thats the cooling radiator inside the dash) (ouch!

[Paul]

Thanks Ivor E and SeatKid usefull intel I think.

 

I was refering only to the matrix display when I said it was working ok. For the Fraud dealer to say it might be fried was complete b@$%*#ks! ;)

 

Now then! I forgot to mention in my last post, the matrix display has stopped flashing on switch-on, i.e. no fault condition! After driving round to warm up the engine, I sat in the car yesterday lunch time with a digital thermometer stuck in one of the facia vents. I ran the CC in ECON mode and LOW setting, directing airflow to vents. It was about 9.5 -10 degrees outside. The digital thermometer settled down at about 12.5 degrees. I then selected AUTO and could sense an increased load on the engine. Lo and behold! the temp started to drop at the facia vents but only to about 7 degrees The mobile guy who's visiting on Saturday said it it should be uncomfortable to hold your hand in the chilled airstream. Do you think its possible that the attempted regas has restored some function to the system, albeit temporary and is that possibly an indication that the compressor is functioning to some degree?

 

Cheers!

 

PS How do you set up your "words of wisdom" quotes at the bottom of your posts?

[seatkid]

Do you think its possible that the attempted regas has restored some function to the system, albeit temporary and is that possibly an indication that the compressor is functioning to some degree?

 

Yeah its working OK. The lack of flashing indicates you now have more than the min amount of gas (as seen via the low pressure switch). 5 -7 deg C is about right - the Galaxy system isnt fantastic (too small an evaporator) any lower temperatures would see the evaporator ice up. Just give it time, when the display starts flashing again it means the gas has leaked (beyond the min level). Good news is compressor IS working and you DON'T have a hole (road damage) in your Condensor otherwise it would stop in a matter of minutes.

 

Chances are its corrosion of evaporator or pipes causing a slow leak.

 

How do you set up your "words of wisdom" quotes at the bottom of your posts?

edit your profile...

[Paul]

Thanks SeatKid,

 

That sounds like good news! ;) It will be interesting to see what the mobile guy finds on Saturday!

 

If its as you suspect, I'll copy his report and shove it personally up the fraud dealers Ass! Then I'll name them too! :angry:

[seatkid]

That sounds like good news! ;)

Shudder to think what you would regard as bad news :angry:

[Paul]

I'm being optimistic and hoping its pipe work not the evaporator. ;)

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yes, it does sound as if it is working OK - the cold air will not be chilled too much if the ambient air is not too warm; only if you take the car somewhere really hot and leave it so that the interior heats up wll full cooling be given by the aircon.

 

You could try a test by setting the aircon to max cooling. Sounds like the original problem was of insufficient gas, causing the pressure switch to trip out and report a fault.

[Paul]

Any thoughts as to why it took some time (2 days) for the fault indication to clear.

 

Could the Gas pressure switch stick?

 

Did the gas actually leak out after recharging or did the dealer just assume it had because the fault indication persisted?

 

Hmmmm!

 

Saturday could be interesting!

[seatkid]

Any thoughts as to why it took some time (2 days) for the fault indication to clear.

Actually the Gas pressure switch is a 3 way device - its a high/normal/low switch.

Maybe it was overfilled - that prevents the system working - maybe thats why someone thought the compressor was knacked. The slow leak has brought it back into range and it will work until .....anyway thats my theory... ;)