Air con problem

[Timbo2]

Hi, can anyone help me with an air con problem. It stopped woking about a year ago, only now have I had the car re gassed. However we couldn't get the compressor to kick in, the a/c guy said it might be too cold, it was 1c. Also fans don't come on when a/c activated, have checked the fuses (I think , but haven't got a fuse diagram in my car) Prior to this a/c pump used to work even though a/c didn't. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks.

 

[spyderman]

The fans should certainly work at 1C. I think the compressor might be clever enough not to run if all the gas has escaped. I think you need to get the system pressure tested and re-gassed - and the gas has to contain a certain oil otherwise all the seals rot. Apparently.

 

[red leader]

I think from memory if the outside temp is less than 5C the A/C won't work..

 

[Timbo2]

system has been regased, maybe there was a leak but there should be enough gas in the system now for it to work. Red leader, can you remember where you got the info on 5c?

 

[Nick_USA]

It's actually 3C or 37F in old money, below this temperature the compressor is disabled.

It's in the owners manual.

 

[Timbo2]

Ok thanks guys, I guess I'll have to wait until it warms up a little.

 

[Timbo2]

Well its warmed up and the A/C doesn't work, what are the chances of it being one of the rads, is this the most likely area to investigate? I had to replace a coolant rad last year, it had become corroded and blew out, so I suppose its possible the A/C rad might have gone the same way.

 

[MartinJWaite]

I hope you have successfully resolved this problem since your last post.

If not Google refrigeration engineers .com and locate an authorised specialist.

It sounds to me like the engineer that gassed your car didn't do a professional job. "topping up" without pressure testing and repair is illegal under Fluorinated Gas regulations. And I would have energised your air con while taking on a critical charge, just to confirm correct operation.

Ask to see an up to date Safe handling of refrigerants certificate - must be carried by law, before allowing anyone to work on your air con.

Technically your responsible for the refrigerant loss and can be prosecuted if proven that all you have done is had the system "topped up" without following "good working practice"

Sorry if I have bored you, but I thought it worth posting.

Regards

Martin