Oli18 Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Wondering if you guys can help... I bought my D2 about 3 weeks ago. The aircon worked fine and was amazingly cold and then last week, it stopped all together. No cold air at all... I thought it was probably a case of regassing it so i took it to Kwik Fit to get it regassed. They only charge £45 to do it and if they can't do it for any reason they don't charge you which is fair enough i thought. Anyway, they said that the gas was still half full (not ideal but should be sufficient to blow a little cold air i was told). Due to an error in the system, the machine would not charge it... I am not sure what it could be and before i take it to an Airconditioning specialist is there anything I can look out for myself? Am not an expert but have a lot of determination ;-) I found this to be quite useful to see how a car's aircon works so thought i'd attach as a reference. Hope it's not the compressor (looks costly) and you guys can give some insight! :-) Many thanks, -OLI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 You should hear the compressor click as you turn it on. And anther belt will start turning??? Also, the engine note will change slightly as the workload increases. You'll need help with someone pushing the button to start it. I also think it kick's in another fan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Does the compressor engage when you turn it on? A sure sign is the momentary drop then rise in the engine idle speed. Stating the obvious - relays and fuses? Hoping its not the compressor but a while ago the car wash dudes were a little trigger happy with the pressure washer and thouroughly drenched the radiator area; there you'll find the high pressure switch (its not on that diagram) which had shorted due to water ingress. This inturn cuts out the compressor and warm air starts to come through;it also stops the 2nd elecy fan from working properly so the engine starts to over heat. Like wise there is a low pressure switch which also cuts the compressor in the event of ... you guessed it LOW pressure. Perhaps that has been triggered and you need to top up with more R134 refrigerant. Obviously there is a range that these two switches opperate between to prolong the compressors life are you sure kwick fit know what that range is? Oh and some fault codes would have appeared so VAgcom or similar is called for Not sure if there is another belt senario will have a look see when I get home, Cruiser. Isn't the compressor a electromagnetic clutch type which gets a signal from the module to engage the clutch; all the while the pulley runs but only brings the comp. into play when the clutch pulls in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickGUK Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Not sure if there is another belt senario will have a look see when I get home, Cruiser. Isn't the compressor a electromagnetic clutch type which gets a signal from the module to engage the clutch; all the while the pulley runs but only brings the comp. into play when the clutch pulls in? [/ QUOTE ] Yep The system will be protected by a high pressure switch AND a low pressure switch. The aircon fluid / gas contains a lubricant which lubricates the compressor when its running, the low pressure switch will stop the aircon switching on to avoid damage to the compressor when theres lack of pressure (low fluid / gas charge) Are you sure the system has sufficient fluid / pressure ? A full system is the first thing that must be attained before you dig any deeper into problems with other bits and bobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 That's great insight guys. Thanks for that. I am not sure but i did have my car proffesionally valeted and they cleaned the engine bay....can't remember if that is when the trouble started or not though... Don't suppose the high pressure and low pressure switches can be easily switched on can they? I am off to Holland for the weekend so can't check anything as i just got home but will definitely do so monday! :-) Don't suppose anyone has a picture with location of the compressor, belts and switches mentioned? Or an explanation will do ;-) CHeers, -Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickGUK Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Hi, If the pressure is low, then you can just bridge the low pressure switch with a jumper, that will tell the system that it is full of refrigerant and "should" allow the compressor to cut in when you select the aircon on. But dont do this for a long time as if the system is low, then damage can occur to the compressor as there will be not much if any lubrication for it. bridging the switch is purely a way of telling whether the compressor cuts in or not. if you had your engine bay washed, it is "possible" that the switch connectors got wet / disslodged etc. Maybe worth checking the connectors on that first. According to the diagram below, there is only one switch which i find strange. Heres the system breakdown from the IPC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Heres what happened with me: TSN post The front bumper will have to cme off to gain access; 'tis a doddle to remove If it is this valve/switch then you'll need to clean out the connector with some electric contact cleaner or similar then dry it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted August 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2007 Hi Guys, Well, it's been a while but as my car is currently with Dean Hill and he said he's found the cure to my aircon problem. Apparently there was some corrosion of the positive terminal by the compressor which was causing my compressor fuse to keep blowing. It's been replaced now and is apparently blowing icy-cold air again! Hope this may be of use to people in the future. Thanks for all the help and advice with this. -Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted September 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Hi there, in the interest of future people benefitting from the misfortunes i'm having with my aircon, see here an update. So, after the wire was repaired and the aircon compressor worked again I thought it was all fixed. It does blow nice cool air but my fan isn't kicking in. When the system warms up and gets too hot, the compressor cuts out to avoid overheating. So i'm afraid it's a new fan for me! Can't wait to get my car back this friday...will have been without it for 2 1/2 weeks by the time I get it back and have been driving around my 1979 mini clubman estate instead! :-) -Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenamesross Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thats one shiny mini. Looks in damn good nick for a rust magnet I must say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 I take it you checked all the fuses, connectors etc first....? Much cheaper than a new fan.... That is a lovely looking piece of memorabilia - very period sh*t brown colour too! I remember my own minis with a lot of affection (Mini Countryman, Cooper 'S' 1275 (a real one!), 1000cc van...)- its amazing how much fun you can have without going fast!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted September 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thanks for the Mini comments guys! I live in London and use it a lot during the week. It's a 1000cc and sooo economical. Fill her up maybe once every 6-8 weeks....lol! The A8 is enormously thirsty driving around london and not all that enjoyable as there are so many speedbumps and i've got a quattro sport with the lowered suspension which does not do the car justice. Once on the motorway though, OOOOH MAMA! The fuses were checked and it is the fan i'm afraid.... Should be it around soon again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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