Technical Air Conditioning Not Working

[ahmett]

Now a new problem, past few months/years, when not driving AC would not really cool much/at all, but when moving it was fine. Now it is not fine when moving as well, so back to the mechanic to check it out! At least the coolant level is fine = ) Heat is good, but no AC, so thinking either compressor is starting to die, or fuses/activation method from the AC box. Let's see, I'll leave it with mechanic so he can play with it

If it had happened like a month later wouldnt even need the AC, but its still quite hot!

 

[Mike1alike]

Could be the AC pressure sensor. If it's dead the pressure cannot be read and the system does not get the OK to start, the compressor won't be fed, no voltage.

 

[ahmett]

Could be the AC pressure sensor. If it's dead the pressure cannot be read and the system does not get the OK to start, the compressor won't be fed, no voltage.

On a quick look he said the compressor looks to be ok and that it has fluid in it, but he wanted to take a longer look so I'll leave it to him tomorrow! Tomorrow is the last hot day of the year from what I see haha, I honestly wouldn't have bothered otherwise

 

[Mike1alike]

And yes, it's funny thing the temperatures these days. In the morning you need to turn the heat on, later in the day use the AC.

 

[steveras57]

It's probably out of gas and needs refilling!- when running the engine is spinning the compresser fast so gives the best chance of what gas is left in the system to work as best it can as it flowing round quicker!- at idle much lower speed so system at it least efficient!.
Get the system pressure tested to see if it holds a vacuum with no leaks if it does (and while this is being tested they will be able to see how much gas is left in the system!) then a simple re-gas should sort it!.

 

[ahmett]

It's probably out of gas and needs refilling!- when running the engine is spinning the compresser fast so gives the best chance of what gas is left in the system to work as best it can as it flowing round quicker!- at idle much lower speed so system at it least efficient!.
Get the system pressure tested to see if it holds a vacuum with no leaks if it does (and while this is being tested they will be able to see how much gas is left in the system!) then a simple re-gas should sort it!.

It’s annoying as it’s still 30c in Athens otherwise I would have waited until march

 

[John202020]

Never turn off the ac even in the uk

 

[The Panda Nut]

Agreed. Mums Perodua pump seized as she wouldnt turn it on. My brother did, and it shredded its drive belt. Oils in the system need to be distributed internally to keep the compressor lubricated, and ensure seals stay sealed. Only turn off if you have the windows open as you travel. Otherwise leave it on. In spite of seeing it uses 6bhp and ruins economy, I cannot detect either less power or less economy. I have tested this many many times and think the costs are so small they are undetectable.

 

[steveras57]

Agreed. Mums Perodua pump seized as she wouldnt turn it on. My brother did, and it shredded its drive belt. Oils in the system need to be distributed internally to keep the compressor lubricated, and ensure seals stay sealed. Only turn off if you have the windows open as you travel. Otherwise leave it on. In spite of seeing it uses 6bhp and ruins economy, I cannot detect either less power or less economy. I have tested this many many times and think the costs are so small they are undetectable.

Well bearing in mind we have no power anyway and the economy's so good a few less mpg aint gonna matter who gives a S**t anyway and just leave it on!

 

[John202020]

I passed my test in 1984 at 18, I was lucky enough to drive a car with ac from then onwards ( most Honda accords had ac as standard a big selling point along with legendary engineering) this taught me to never turn it off to keep the system working

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Find a new garage...

Coolant has nothing to do with the AC and neither does the heat working.

The "compressor looks to be ok and that it has fluid in it" is the weirdest thing I have ever herd from a supposed garage. if you opened it up to see if there was any fluid in it, you would get a big hiss or whoosh of all the gas escaping and yeah there would be fluid, compressor oil but that also has nothing to do with how the AC makes the car cold, it just stops the compressor from seizing up.

The way any normal garage would/should deal with such things is connect it to an AC regas machine. suck all the gas out, hold it for 20 - 30 minutes to make sure there are no leaks and if all is good put the right amount of gas back in, with maybe a little oil and some dye to look for leaks in the future.

It takes no more than an hour all in. You certainly don't need to keep the car in over night, so I have no faith that this guy has even the remotest idea what he is doing, or he does but is relying on the fact that you don't. expect a hefty bill coming your way.