Air Con Again

[italiastar]

Despite my car being serviced yesterday, the air con does not seem too effective today. I had it set at 19 degees on AUTO and was was blowing full blast for about 20 minutes - I seem to recall that it used to only blow full for about 10 minutes and then the car was cold so it would drop the air flow. As the car is 2 years old, will this be covered by warranty or should I take it to an independant for a top-up of coolant?

[jkspoff]

Definately a warranty issue with a main dealer, even on a two year old car it could well need a new compressor etc, not just re-gas. You don't want to void the warranty by taking it to an independant garage.

[italiastar]

May be it's me - I just ran it on it's lowest setting LO for 5 minutes with a digital thermometer directly in fron t of the dashboard vent - it got down to 13 degrees - that wasn't the car temperature - just the reading of the air coming into the car - how does that sound?

 

I just don't feel that it's as cold as it was when new - it used to freeze you watsits off - or have I just got used to it?

[GSMGuy]

13deg sounds a bit high, mine gets to 7 easily..

 

Mike

[italiastar]

You confirmed my thoughts that it was colder - does it sound like a simple re-gassing - will the warranty cover that?

 

Just tested it further and compaired it with my wife's Fabia. The lowest reading I got off the Fabia was 7 degrees, however the lowest on the Alhambra was 10 degrees - I even took it on a long run (20 mins at 70mph), but it didn't make any diffrence. That was this evening, I guess during a hot day, with the outside temperature being higher, the readings will be higher.

[seatkid]

Complain under warranty. If its low gas then get them to fix the leak under warranty. It may also be heater flaps not retracting fully, there is a procedure to recalibrate the cc unit somewhere......

[jvernon]

Hi Seatkid,

Do you have any idea whaty the re-callibration process is? My front aircon hasn't been as good as the back for a while now (although the back isn't as good as it should be). I was thinking that it must be the heater flaps not shutting off properly in the front because there is only one compressor isn't their?. Do I need a VAG-COM cable? I would much appreciate if you could tell me where to find out if you can't remember the procedure.

 

Thanks,

John

[italiastar]

I booked it in for Friday - the dealer suspects a leak and said they will drain it and refill it with coloured fluid, then pump it to high pressure - they added that it would be covered by the warranty. They also confirmed that aircon should get down to 6 / 7 degree's when running properly.

 

I also checked with the supplying dealer as I reported the issue to them last year (although then it wasn't so bad) and they checked their records and confirmed that it was reading 5 degrees when they tested it - I must of been stupid to think they'd tell me otherwise and then ruck with them for ignoring the problem - I hate car dealers!

 

Watch this space!

[HJT]

Get them to check the condensor where the filter screws in. Thats where mine was leaking and the independant aircon specialist who fixed it said this was a really common problem and he has done loads of these. I had my aircon checked because I had the same problem as you, it just didn't feel as cool as before but now it's done it feels almost too cold set on 21 degrees and I now tend to run at 22, it's lurverly.

 

Howard

[italiastar]

Get them to check the condensor where the filter screws in.

 

Will do - many thanks!

[italiastar]

I brought it into the dealer and apparently if they can't find a leak, it's down to me and I'll have to pay

[HJT]

Go to an independant aircon specialist and get them to do a diagnostic with a gas sniffer. Most main dealers know absolutely sh*t about aircon.

 

Howard

[Guest Damian]

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be a fuse.

 

I had it regassed first independently but no improvement.

 

Took it to Dagenham Ford at Dagenham and they said it was a fuse. Cost

[italiastar]

They checked it this morning and could find nothing wrong. The said that they put dye into it, but no leaks were apparent - now comes the best bit - they said it was performing satisfactory and they got it down to 5 degrees. I picked it up at luchtime and indeed it was working perfectly - I even brought my meter with me and it read about 5 degrees, but at one point I got it down to 3 degrees. The dealer is adamant that they did nothing except put dye into the system, but I assume even doing this would involve re-pressurising it. Anyway at the moment I'm happy and more importantly I'm happy with the dealer. They didn't charge for the work and even washed the car for me. All the people there are very customer focused and friendly. The have asked me to monitor it and take it straight back as soon as I have any concerns. Watch this space.