Technical Air Conditioning Help

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Technical Air Conditioning Help

LightingMan

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Jul 17, 2010
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So my Pop has no a/c and I'm up for the challenge of retro fitting factory air conditioning.

Does anyone know the answers to these questions...

1, Is there any difference between the wiring loom? I'm assuming the same loom is used at assembly and that the tails for connecting to the compressor are taped up out of harms way when the buyer does not choose a/c. A photo of the wiring to the compressor would be a boon (y)

2, I have already purchased a manual a/c version of the heater control panel so again the same question applies - is the wiring likley to be there in place behind the non a/c version.

3, among other things the eLearn manual seems to suggest that I remove the doors to access the heater matrix. Is this the daftest thing you have ever heard? :D
 
In all honesty it would be far easier to just swap your pop for a lounge. You'll have to put the pipework I the engine bay, put a condenser and evaporator in, faff about with the wiring, fit a longer aux belt, then you'll need to get someone to gas it up. The wiring will be different also, now remember it's CANBUS so you'll need the body computer reprogramming too. Just get a lounge if it's that important :)
 
Is it actually possible to retrofit aircon into a car these days? Sounds like a massive job...
 
I have to play around to with a/c units most days so stripping down the car to remove the non a/c components and replacing them is less of an issue.

Reprogramming the ECU isn't something I would have much knowledge of.

and I'm hoping the wiring is already in place. If I could see an image of a 1.2 with a/c I'd have a start.
 
I'd be 99% certain the wiring isn't there. Even if the wiring was there it wouldn't do anything because the ecu doesn't think there is an air conditioning unit. Also you would need an external temperature sensor which you won't have. In all honesty it isn't worth bothering.

You are going to spend countless hours tearing a nearly new car apart and all you will end up with is loads of rattles, scratches, lighter pockets and no air con.
 
I agree with maxi on this one. I personally wouldn't bother, a lot of messing about involved, but, if you want to punish yourself doing it, then good on yer
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My father had aircon retro fitted to an Uno he owned a few years ago. It worked, but not as well as what it would have done had it been factory fitted.

Indeed what you intend on doing does sound like it won't be cheap either. An aircon compressor, well you can get a second hand one for as little as £55 but you won't have a clue what sort of state it will be in and it will have no guarantee, and a brand new one will set you back at least £250 minimum. And then as previously mentioned, all the other components to acutally get the thing up and running.

From initial research, there are companies out there that can obviously do the job, but I don't believe it is cheap. It isn't a five minute job either, apparently, it can take a skilled mechanic a minimum of 12 hours to fit, so basically a couple of working days in reality.

I've just taken delivery of a new works van and it didn't come with aircon, which is a bit of a bummer, but my boss said it was an £800 option that they weren't prepared to pay for. Has got cruise control though, which is better for me as I spend half the day on the motorway.

My advice, as above, trade it in and get a car with aircon if you're that desperate for it.
 
I know it's been said, but mucking about with a newish car like this will devalue it, not including the money spent making the changes. Less money would be lost just swopping it for one with A/C as standard.

There are so many 500s about that second hand buyers have a huge choice, and a mucked about car isn't going to cut it.
 
...among other things the eLearn manual seems to suggest that I remove the doors to access the heater matrix. Is this the daftest thing you have ever heard?

The heater matrix is pretty much the first thing that goes into the cabin when the car is built in the factory, and AIUI you have to strip out pretty much the whole of the interior forward of the seats to get it out. :eek:

I think you only have to remove one of the doors, though.

Sadly I'd have to agree with the majority; retrofitting A/C, whilst theoretically possible, isn't likely to be either economically or practically viable.
 
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Lol! Something makes me think you are going to give it a shot anyway. Good luck!

Let us know how you get on :D

Ha! Am I that transparent?

In truth I suspect I will have a go when the time is right. I have a empty workshop I can use and plenty of free time.

I may take the route of finding a donor car to make the transition easier.

If I do I'll take plenty of images to load up to the forum.

But I was genuine in my thanks for the comments.
 
Ha! Am I that transparent?

In truth I suspect I will have a go when the time is right. I have a empty workshop I can use and plenty of free time.

I may take the route of finding a donor car to make the transition easier.

If I do I'll take plenty of images to load up to the forum.

But I was genuine in my thanks for the comments.

okay don't let us down, but as you are going to install the a/c make sure driver and pass can set their own temperatures. Send a video with a thermometer showing the drop in temperature so we know you have done it, stay cool :cool:
 
okay don't let us down, but as you are going to install the a/c make sure driver and pass can set their own temperatures. Send a video with a thermometer showing the drop in temperature so we know you have done it, stay cool :cool:

Ooo err, you're asking him to install full climate control!

Looking forward to the result........
 
Ha no I don't feel I want to put in the matrix with full motor actuated controls. That would be a real pain :eek:
 
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