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Topic: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold (Read 529 times) |
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roger_howes
Full Member
1997 24v Ultima Estate (aka 'Money Eater')
Posts: 117
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Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« on: Sep 2nd, 2006, 1:30pm » |
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Hello all,
Had the car for two and a half years with aircon working OK. Coming back from Cambridge Thursday evening - no cold air. I tried everything, but no go.
last night I performed the reset procedure for the aircon OK with no fault codes displayed. But still no cold air.
Everything works, all controls work, all the correct lights are there, and the poor old fan just keeps blowing trying to get the cabin temperature down, but of course, only ambient temperature air, so it never gets there!
Any suggestions anyone.
Many thanks.
Roger.
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craig
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #1 on: Sep 2nd, 2006, 3:03pm » |
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is the compressor spinning off and on ?
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #2 on: Sep 2nd, 2006, 5:55pm » |
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If the compressor is spinning OK check that the silver pipe leading from it to the bulkhead is cold, if not it's time to find an Air Con specialist and be prepared to spend some of your hard earned spondoolicks 
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roger_howes
Full Member
1997 24v Ultima Estate (aka 'Money Eater')
Posts: 117
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #3 on: Sep 4th, 2006, 8:08am » |
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Thanks for your responses. However, the plot thickens (at least it does to me!),
Coming home last night there was a loud sqealing noise that seemed to come from the passenger's side of the engine compartment. I turned the aircon off (I normally have it on all the time) and the noise stopped. OK, I thought, it must be the compressor.
On arriving home, and with the engine idling in the driveway, I tried tuning the aircon back on. Everytime I did, after a very short pause, the engine stalled. I thought that clinched it, it had to be the compressor seizing.
However, this morning, on starting the car the noise retiurned, I turned the aircon off, but this time the noise continued, and I had to switch the fan control to OFF before the noise would stop!? So now I don't even have a non-aircon blower.
Now I am really confused.
I recall now that this squealing noise first occurred shortly before going to Cambridge. It was raining very heavily and I had just driven through a largish puddle when it happened. It only lasted for a couple of seconds and never returned (until last night). I thought at first that water had got somewhere briefly, but with the under-engine tray in place, this must have just been a coincidence.
If it's the compressor, why does this problem occur with the aircon off and only the fan on?
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Roger.
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Baw_Flinger
Full Member
Ex 2.3 owner..... Snif
Posts: 438
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #4 on: Sep 4th, 2006, 11:32am » |
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The aircon pump should only cycle on when the AC button is lit and there is sufficiant gas in the system. If the car is trying/has stalled when you put in on then it has to be the pump. The noises you are getting could be coincidance! I had a time when my water pump and drivbelt tensioner were on there way out at the same time as my aircon was playing up, drove me mad until I got to the bottom of it!
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roger_howes
Full Member
1997 24v Ultima Estate (aka 'Money Eater')
Posts: 117
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #5 on: Sep 5th, 2006, 7:49am » |
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Just found out. The reason I was hearing the squeal from the compressor with aircon switched off was that I had the direction turned to screen. This brings on the compressor even when the aircon is switched off (for de-misting).
So yes, it sounds like the belt squealing over the compressor pulley when attempting to engage the compressor.
Good news is that someone in the club has a compressor he'll sell me, so hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.
I've always kept the aircon on permanently. Perhaps, except when I really need it, I should put it on only for a short time during every journey - just to keep the wear down.
Thanks for your help.
Roger.
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Baw_Flinger
Full Member
Ex 2.3 owner..... Snif
Posts: 438
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Re: Aircon suddenly stopped blowing cold
« Reply #6 on: Sep 5th, 2006, 8:05am » |
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Remember, during the winter you should still run it for about 30 mins a month to keep the system functional. 
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