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        General >> Problems >> Air Con Query.
        
(Message started by: Spannerdemon on Jun 17^th, 2006, 7:44am)

Title: Air Con Query.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 17^th, 2006, 7:44am

I want to find out whether I have a problem with my air-con, or if what's happening is normal.

When I turn the air-con on, and I am driving, the air is freezing cold, and really welcome in this hot weather.

However, whenever I stop for a set of lights, or in traffic, (ie, car not moving but everything running), there is a definite decrease in cooling, and the air vents just pump out normal air as you'd expect in a car without air conditioning.

Any ideas as to why it shouldn't keep me chilled out when I'm in traffic?

I've checked all belts and connections, and everything seems to be OK. Maybe it's the normal way it runs?

Any ideas anybody? :-/

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Octavian_P on Jun 17^th, 2006, 8:19am

Do the front cooling fans come on ? Maybe there is just one working, so when you are not on the move the cooling eficency is decreased. Also AC performance drops with the revs of the engine but it should make cold air......

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by sector-9 on Jun 17^th, 2006, 10:00am

Open the bonnet and start the engine. Turn your air-con down to the lowest temp you can, and the fan to maximum speed then leave the door or windows open whilst you check what happens under the bonnet.

You will see the compressor running and if you touch the condensor (just in front of the main radiator) you will feel it getting hot. Both cooling fans should come on at high speed after a short while. If they don't but instead the compressor stops running then you'll need to check the fan circuit.

Darren

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 17^th, 2006, 1:40pm

I'll try this later, and see what happens.

By saying "turn your aircon down to the lowest temperature", I already have both temp controls set at "LO" presumably that's as low as they go?

Thans for this guys. A great help. :)

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 17^th, 2006, 6:29pm

Been out and done the checks as suggested. Both fans running well, and the condenser nice and hot. I think I've got to put it down to the weather. It is SO hot, that I think when the car is at a standstill the outside temperature is just too much at the moment.
The main thing is, when I get on the move again, it soon chills down again.
Thanks for all your help. It's appreciated. I hadn't thought about the fans!

:)

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Octavian_P on Jun 18^th, 2006, 7:58pm

How hot is it there ?

Here we had 38, now just a chill at 35 ;)

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by sector-9 on Jun 19^th, 2006, 11:04pm

One last thought - check the direction of rotation on the fans - for some reason the RH side one on mine was running backwards and hence competing with the LH side one which was running correctly!!!

Darren

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by davem on Jun 27^th, 2006, 2:12pm

Most air con units would be tested for efficiency at around 1500 rpm, so yes, you will/may get less cooling at idle, but never to the extent where you think it is none functional. Also, using "recirc" will always improve aircon efficiency by around 25-30%. Just a thought :-)

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Paulus on Jun 28^th, 2006, 10:37am

When the car is at idle, there will be less pressure pushing the gas around the system. If you don't have enough refrigerant gas in the system, the pressure switch may cut in to prevent damage.

Just a thought...

Paul.

Title: Re: Air Con Query.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jun 28^th, 2006, 10:54am

Yes it all seems to be OK now. I think that it hasn't been used for a while, and needed using to get it back to proper operating conditions.
Now nice and cold.

Thanks :)