Technical Aircon issue

[LoBsTeR]

My aircon has been out (or nearly) of gas for a couple of years now. We havent had a summer to speak of until now, so I thought about getting it regassed. I thought it best to just check the pump was kicking in before taking it for a gassing and noticed that the pump is not kicking in. It was fine about 6 months ago, the compressor was spinning up, but now it just stays static.

I can turn the compressor freely by hand so it isnt jammed. I can hear a relay clicking over when I press the aicon button inside, but the clutch does not engage.

Do they have a system pressure check that wont allow the pump to engage if the refrigerant pressure is too low or am I looking at a new pump?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[cris1117]

Hi
The compressor won’t engage if the gas is too low.
Try kwik Fit just had mine done takes about 1 hour but the whole system (high and low pressure) is emptied checked for leaks and regassed.
If they get it working its £49 if they don’t its free.
Car is like a fridge even today at 32c.

 

[LoBsTeR]

Great news. Thanks for that cris.

I will get it to them next week when it will probably be snowing

It did cross my mind that there was a failsafe with the compressor clutch if activated under low pressure. I read somewhere that the refrigerant lubricates the pump and so this would make sense.