500 Fiat 500 air con problem

[Lamjon]

Unit is blowing hot air when air con switch is on,lve checked under the bonnet and the clutch doesn't operate on the air con pump unit when switch on.
Ant ideas
Lamjon

 

[Eklipze3k]

Welcome to the forum
I've added a prefix to your post to make it appear in the 500 section, hopefully the experts will be along soon to assist

 

[John202020]

If you switch the AC on and the compressor does not start, my first guess would be little or no refrigerant, how old is the car and when was the AC last filled?
Note it is advisable to leave the AC always on yes this will use slightly more fuel, but will keep the ac working for longer, I've just had our other car refilled it had only 30% left in( it leaks out over time, getting worse over time), and when was the cabin filter changed(every year)

 

[Eklipze3k]

Note it is advisable to leave the AC always on

This is why mine works, and my wife's does not - she only turns hers on when she 'needs' it.

 

[yann]

Hi, it could be worth just checking the fuses first, but realistically it will be insufficient gas
I am a tech & ac qualified and with this hot weather get lots of ac work
you don't have to leave your ac on all the time, usually once a week is sufficient in the cooler months.....this keeps the compressor seals good etc.
First step will be a leak test-if it passes this, regas comes next, ac systems can lose approx 10-20% gas per year through ac molecules permeating through hoses.Hth-yann

 

[DaveMcT]

If you have climate control its unlikely the air con will be used until the outside air is warn enough to need it. Mine only switches on if I set the heater to minimum.

Some cars will use aircon when you set the demist option. The incoming air is chilled to dry it before its heated to clear the screen. Some will use it in reverse to heat the car when the engine is cold. But I think these days that's quite a rare feature.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

If you have climate control its unlikely the air con will be used until the outside air is warn enough to need it. Mine only switches on if I set the heater to minimum.

Some cars will use aircon when you set the demist option. The incoming air is chilled to dry it before its heated to clear the screen. Some will use it in reverse to heat the car when the engine is cold. But I think these days that's quite a rare feature.

Even if it’s cold outside, climate control systems will keep the aircon on, note it’s air conditioning, meaning it doesn’t just cool it also dries the air in the cabin as well. Even if it’s cold outside the aircon will be activated and keep the cold damp air from entering the cabin by drying and warming it, also stops mildew building up in the car when it’s not used (to some degree)

 

[John202020]

Yep my a.c. comes on all the time in winter. I've been very lucky driving a car with a.c. since 1984 when I passed my test, even back then Accords came with AC and ABS unheard of at the time in most cars.