Intermittent air con issue... Help please

[gturner008]

An odd one. But my 2007 Cayam S has an intermittent fault with the a/c. i bought the car 6 months ago, very happy with it. A/c didn't work, so had it at an a/c place who diagnosed wrong seals fitted on new condensers.

Regassed, then all good. When it works, it works fine. But 50% of the time it stops working. A/c stops randomly, then starts up again. No pattern of rationale. I've tried to see if there's a trigger or a way to get it back on. Nothing seems to replicate. I therefore think I have a dodgy sensor or circuit. Does anyone have a suggestion what it might be? If I have an idea at least I can then take to a garage to have checked out. Cheers. Gary

 

[John Maddox]

It can be expensive and time consuming to sort out aircon on most Porsche's so you need a proper plan.

First check to ensure you have gas pressure before you do anything else - you can buy a cheap pressure gauge at Halfords which is good enough to check the pressure. The valve is under the flimsy plastic cover near the front screen in the front boot. Try and do this yourself before going to an air con specialist.

If you have pressure then try and hear if the compressor kicks in. If you take the engine cover off and run the engine you should be able to hear the compressor start when you turn the aircon off and on. Can you hear the condenser fan start at the front also. Once you have ascertained this then it's time to find a good specialist but you must tell them what you have discovered so far.

If you have little or no pressure then obviously you still have a leak somewhere. It sounds as if the condenser was replaced recently but sealed incorrectly. Do you have any redress with the a/c place who replaced the seals and did they do a leakdown test ?

The pressure pipes running from engine bay to condenser/evaporator/drier can split/corrode/leak and are expensive and difficult to replace so proper diagnosis is essential.

I am sure others with similar experiences will come in to advise. Good luck.

 

[C2dweller]

The Ac system has a lot sensors and a self test function, so a system check by a specialist is probably a good idea.

 

[C2dweller]

The Ac system has a lot sensors and a self test function, so a system check by a specialist is probably a good idea.

 

[gturner008]

Do I need to take to Porsche? To have the check/diagnosis?

I can can hear the compressor working and the fan, when it does work. The air is ice cold too. It's just that it intermittently stops working (the compressor pump stops). An electrical test sounds like the plan then.

 

[Buddy]

Hi Gary,

Not necessary to go to a Porsche Centre in my view there are other Porsche specialists and also A/C Specialists but not all are as good as they should be. When seeking advice it is best that in your signature you add such information as Region and approximate location, this will allow those in your area to advise of who they have found to be good.

Most regional officers have a list of specialists they can recommend from either personal experience or those of friends and members, also in checking for G Turner in the Cayman Register I see you are not listed, it is easy to remedy this and I will send anyone a PM or email if they request information on how to go about this.

 

[ThreeTwo]

Try a Zuffenhaus car clinic. Check out zhporsche.co.uk

Lots of experience with Porsche - inc a/c

 

[Buddy]

On the edge of Coventry you have PCT but R9 West Midlands Region also meet only a short drive away so it would be good to ask members there for their recommendations.