Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems

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Mon 9 Aug 2004 23:52
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - stevie70
Sorry posted this in wrong section first time around, new to this very sorry!!!

{It\'s alright, I deleted the other multiple postings. DD}

Hi I have a 1998 vectra DTI CDX with climate control.
The air con has worked with no probs since i bought the car 2 years ago. When i started it the other day it would not blow any cold air, the outside temp was 30degs.
When i checked under the bonnet the compressor was not engaged.
I went for a drive about 15 miles no joy.
When i let the car cool down later that day it worked fine again, cools the car no problems.It then happend again when it was left parked in the sun for a couple of hours, compressor not engaged, when it had cooled later that night all fine again.
I have checked under the bonnet for any bad connections when running but no joy.
I have checked all the fuses , the wire at the compressor the relays (not sure which one works the compressor) all seem ok.
I think i have read on here that the compressors on these cars have a pressure cut off switch fitted in the compressor so it will not run if low on gas pressure. Could this be faulty or could it just be low on gas. I don\'t want to pay out for a regas if it is not needed. The air con cools really well when working. If any body can shed any light on this it would be great.

Many thanks Stevie70
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Wed 11 Aug 2004 00:54
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - stevie70
Hi all,

Anybody got ant ideas yet.
Just to say now the weather has cooled down air con is working fine again, strange????

Steve.
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Wed 11 Aug 2004 01:53
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - Richard Turpin
Just guessing but A) could need a top up of gas or B)are the fans (fan) working. The aircon will not work unless the radiator (and aircon condenser) fan(s) is/are working. Worth checking. Happened to me.

Re read this and it does not make sense, The aircon condenser is a \"radiator\" in front of the radiaror. If it gets too hot, a cut out operates because the pressure increases too much. They run at 300 PSI anyway. Does the aircon work on the open road but not in traffic. If so, suspect not enough cooling from fan(s).
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Wed 11 Aug 2004 10:42
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - Dynamic Dave
If the system has never had a top up, (1998, so the car is 6 yrs old now) then chances are it's getting low on gas and making the system intermitant. Richard mentions the fans above; these won't be on continually when the a/c is on. They will only come on when it's necessary.
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Thu 12 Aug 2004 21:29
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - stevie70
Hi thanks for all your ideas.

I checked and the fans both seem to run ok, they cut in and out, but in the hot weather they both seem to run most of the time when traveling slow or in traffic.
Like i said it only stops working when its really hot, it does not work when you start the engine from cold on a very hot day. As it has cooled down this last week it has run without fault.
I think a re-gas or at least a pressure check (if they can do that) is the best way to go, the only reason i was reluctant to have a regas in case it turned out to be a faulty pressure switch and would need refilling again.

Air con that only runs on cold day!!!!!! it has to be a Vauxhall.

Thanks again Steve.
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Thu 12 Aug 2004 21:36
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - LeePower
A vac out, re oil & re gas is about £60 - £70 all in.

They should do a system & gas pressure check before putting any more gas in.
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Wed 11 Aug 2004 21:37
Vectra CDX 1998 Air Con Problems - RobertH
Steve
check that you have not got anything over the sun sensor on the dashbord a little bubble in the centre this makes air con come on if it is sunny

Roberth
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