Hi all,
I have a '94 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0 CDX which has air conditioning.
Late last year, my alternator went and I had a new one fitted, but it appears that now my air conditioning doesnt work. I press the button and nothing happens - it doesnt even light up. I think it stopped working when my alternator packed in, but cant be too sure because I dont use it that often.
Any ideas? I have already checked the plug connection which goes into the back of the compressor, and it appears to be fine. I understand it will probably need re-gassing by now, but are these symptomes common for this?
Regards
Graham
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you have lost the supply somewhere ,an in line fuse ,duff relay maybe you willneed the wiring diagram to traxce the circit through and a avo meter
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so an air condtioning system that needs re-gassing would still cut the compressor in when switched on?
If so Ill change all the fuses/relays tommorrow!
G
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Not neccesarily - on some cars, the compressor will not come on when there is a low gas pressure. This is because the gas acts as a lubricant, and if you run without it, serious damage will occur.
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If the gas has leaked out, the supply will be cut to the compressor.
As your car is now 7/8 years old, this is highly likely. You need to get someone to see if it has any pressure in the system. You can do it yourself, but I'm not about to tell you publicly, as it can be dangerous and it is illegal to vent the refrigerant into the atmosphere.
However, if you find the filter/drier, it has a pressure switch on it, and if you check for continuity across two of the connectors, this will also tell you if there is enough pressure to work the system. Of course, it could be that the switch has failed, in which case you will learn nothing!
Call your local a/c specialist and ask for a free diagnosis, most will do that, and they will check to see if it has gas, or if it is an electrical problem.
If they confirm it has no gas, then don't stump up for a recharge until they've had a good look for the leak, otherwise you'll be back there in two weeks for another. It may be that they can't find the leak without recharging and adding dye, in which case make sure they aren't going to charge you full rate for another recharge when you go back to have it fixed. Usual culprits for leaking are the compessor front seal and condenser.
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Dave N is right.
The typical user does not switch on the aircon until the first hot day of the year, to find that it doesn't work. The cause is usually that the gas has leaked out for the reasons (usually) Dave detailed.
If the system is not run regularly, the oil in the refrigerant cannot circulate then the seals dry out.
On your model if there is insufficient refrigerant the pressure switch will not operate, preventing the compressor from running dry.
The bad news is, if you continue to run the car with no refrigerant, the bearing at the front of the compressor will eventually seize, result=breakdown.
Our solution would be to leakcheck the system at 200 psi+(having established no refrigerant present) with dry Nitrogen
We then re-gas with u/v dye added if no leak is apparent. If a leak appears or re-appears, the uv will highlight it. We would not charge for the subsequent re-gas.
One other point:
The receiver/dryer in the system has a finite life. It should be replaced in your car due to age - if the dessicant bag in it bursts, your system will be contaminated.
To re-gas an old system without changing the drier is like doing an engine-oil change without also changing the filter!
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thanks for your help.
So does anybody know any good places in the Nottingham/Derby area where I could go (reasonably priced)?
I live in Long Eaton, so the closer the better really.
Thanks again
G
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Hi Graham, give Autoclimate a call on 01743 445566 to see if they have an accredited centre in your area.
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And when its fixed leave it on all the time,that way it might stay fixed.
Anyway,you need it even more in winter as a demister than you do in summer,sadly.
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