I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
Thanks,
DS
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:00:52 +1100, David Springthorpe
<david.springthorpe@idx.com.au> wrote :
>I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
>fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
>hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
>checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
>relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
>lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
I should have added : The user manual was absolutely no use whatsoever.....
Lost all its gas?
"David Springthorpe" <david.springthorpe@idx.com.au> wrote in message
news:5abvn11slemrinap28kvjge3nsaio1bcgv@4ax.com...
>I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with
>the
> fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had
> gotten
> hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've
> now
> checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all
> the
> relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch
> on (it
> lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
Is the clutch fan actually pulling in on the A/C when you switch it on? Just
listen to the engine note change as it loads up with the compressor. If not,
check the A/C fuse (I know you said you did :)) and if you've got sk1llz
with a multimeter, make sure the clutch is being fed 12v.
If it is, is the A/C condensor fan turning on? This is normally mounted on
the front side of the condensor, and you'll be able to hear it moving lots
of air when you switch the A/C on in addition to the extra load of the
compressor. If not, check the fuse (normally a seperate one for the fan) and
if you've got sk1llz with a multimeter, make sure the fan is getting fed 12v
via the condensor fan relay.
If those are both working, and its still not getting cold... Its something
along the lines of short of gas, the compressor is inefficient and not
pumping, the TX valve is faulty and either blocked or shut down, blocked
drier, etc etc. Probably best to take it to a pro :)
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:21:38 +1000, "The Red Krawler" <redkrawler@hotmail.com>
wrote :
>Is the clutch fan actually pulling in on the A/C when you switch it on? Just
>listen to the engine note change as it loads up with the compressor. If not,
>check the A/C fuse (I know you said you did :)) and if you've got sk1llz
>with a multimeter, make sure the clutch is being fed 12v.
>
>If it is, is the A/C condensor fan turning on? This is normally mounted on
>the front side of the condensor, and you'll be able to hear it moving lots
>of air when you switch the A/C on in addition to the extra load of the
>compressor. If not, check the fuse (normally a seperate one for the fan) and
>if you've got sk1llz with a multimeter, make sure the fan is getting fed 12v
>via the condensor fan relay.
>
>If those are both working, and its still not getting cold... Its something
>along the lines of short of gas, the compressor is inefficient and not
>pumping, the TX valve is faulty and either blocked or shut down, blocked
>drier, etc etc. Probably best to take it to a pro :)
I also forgot to mention that for all intense purposes I have absolutely no car
mechanicals / electricals expertise whatsoever.....
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:26:10 +1100, David Springthorpe
<david.springthorpe@idx.com.au> wrote :
>I also forgot to mention that for all intense purposes I have absolutely no car
>mechanicals / electricals expertise whatsoever.....
I had a big 60,000 km service at Ultra Tune several weeks ago - hope they didn't
stuff something up.....
David Springthorpe wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:00:52 +1100, David Springthorpe
> <david.springthorpe@idx.com.au> wrote :
>
> >I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
> >fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
> >hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
> >checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
> >relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
> >lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
>
> I should have added : The user manual was absolutely no use whatsoever.....
Nah, wouldn't be. Is the compressor spinning (centre part inside clutch?)
Is there fluid visable in the receiver dryer? (should go from bubbly to
clear when the compressor kicks in)
Do you have a BBQ bottle and someone to machine up a fitting to refill
it?
David Springthorpe wrote:
> I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
> fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
> hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
> checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
> relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
> lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
>
Is the compressor belt ok?
Daryl
Patrick Young wrote:
>
>Do you have a BBQ bottle and someone to machine up a fitting to refill
>it?
What's to machine?
Simply buy the connector that goes from the LPG cylinder to the
regulator on a domestic installation. Cut the end off and fit a ¼"
flare nut. For those who don't use gauges, an adaptor nipple and
replacement hose for a normal refrigeration gauge set (depending on
whether it's an R12 or R134A installation) completes the kit.
If it's the BBQ bottle you want to refill you'll need two
connectors.... It's a helluva lot cheaper to fill the 9kg bottle from
an inverted domestic cylinder, and you'll save even more if you happen
to own a Primus torch with a minature bottle. :)
FWIW I've recently started weighing in the R290. Haven't got a
complete range of data yet but it appears that something less than
500g fills most systems. That's around a dollar's worth if you refill
your own BBQ bottle.
--
John H
David Springthorpe wrote:
>I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
>fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
>hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
>checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
>relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
>lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
Either an electrical problem (no power to the compressor clutch), or
else it's lost its refrigerant and cut out on the low pressure switch
(which prevents the compressor from shitting itself in the absence of
refrigerant).
The symptoms are exactly the same and the only way to tell the
difference is by checking the voltage at the low pressure switch,
normally mounted on or near the receiver drier. If you can't get that
far you'll need the help of a specialist, and probably a wad of money
as well.
A regas probably starts at around $300.
--
John H
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:21:38 +1000, "The Red Krawler" <redkrawler@hotmail.com>
>.....Probably best to take it to a pro :)
In my case, I would say yes.....
David Springthorpe wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:21:38 +1000, "The Red Krawler" <redkrawler@hotmail.com>
>
> >.....Probably best to take it to a pro :)
>
> In my case, I would say yes.....
Nope, what you have to do is simply understand and fix it
yourself.
Really not that hard, A/C is so piss easy I'd inflict it
on primary skooll kids.
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 01:33:13 GMT, Patrick Young <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU>
>Nope, what you have to do is simply understand and fix it
>yourself.
>
>Really not that hard, A/C is so piss easy I'd inflict it
>on primary skooll kids.
I didn't even recognise or understand 95% of the terms used by others in this
thread. Please understand that some folks are simply not capable of learning how
to do such things - I tend to destroy anything I try to repair.....
David Springthorpe wrote:
>I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday with the
>fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car had gotten
>hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore. I've now
>checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all the
>relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning switch on (it
>lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
>
>Thanks,
>DS
>
>
Lift the bonnet and see if the clutch on the front works , see manual
for location , if it does and its still cold be ready to be raped on a
regas.
if not be ready to be raped on a clutch /'ac repair
"Patrick Young" <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote in message
news:OxOff.21831$Hj2.4640@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> David Springthorpe wrote:
>> On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:00:52 +1100, David Springthorpe
>> <david.springthorpe@idx.com.au> wrote :
>>
>> >I was driving my Astra back from the Central Coast to Sydney yesterday
>> with the
>> >fan and cold both on full (I'd been walking in Bouddi NP and the car
>> had gotten
>> >hot parked) when after a while I noticed that it wasn't cold anymore.
>> I've now
>> >checked it again this morning and it's still not working. I checked all
>> the
>> >relevant fuses, and yes, I did actually have the air conditioning
>> switch on (it
>> >lighted up okay). What else could have gone wrong please ?
>>
>> I should have added : The user manual was absolutely no use
>> whatsoever.....
>
> Nah, wouldn't be. Is the compressor spinning (centre part inside clutch?)
>
> Is there fluid visable in the receiver dryer? (should go from bubbly to
> clear when the compressor kicks in)
Nope, not on R134a systems. You should see bubbles moving if it is working
properly.
> Do you have a BBQ bottle and someone to machine up a fitting to refill
> it?
Too bad if the compressor clutch is stuffed, which was a pretty common fault
with a certain batch of Astra's.
"Patrick Young" <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote in message
news:tnQff.21914$Hj2.9962@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> David Springthorpe wrote:
>> On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:21:38 +1000, "The Red Krawler"
>> <redkrawler@hotmail.com>
>>
>> >.....Probably best to take it to a pro :)
>>
>> In my case, I would say yes.....
>
> Nope, what you have to do is simply understand and fix it
> yourself.
>
> Really not that hard, A/C is so piss easy I'd inflict it
> on primary skooll kids.
Back to school for you then.
Hardly relevant this time of year but I put in my usual advice on a/c:
If your car fogs up (more likely in winter) turn on your air
conditioning. It will clear the fog in no time.
More importantly, this practice will cause you to run your a/c several
times during the winter so that an obscure carbon bush will continue to
retain your gas rather than losing it in a flash.
Clockmeister wrote:
> "Patrick Young" <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote in message
> news:tnQff.21914$Hj2.9962@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
>>David Springthorpe wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:21:38 +1000, "The Red Krawler"
>>><redkrawler@hotmail.com>
>>>
>>> >.....Probably best to take it to a pro :)
>>>
>>>In my case, I would say yes.....
>>
>>Nope, what you have to do is simply understand and fix it
>>yourself.
>>
>>Really not that hard, A/C is so piss easy I'd inflict it
>>on primary skooll kids.
>
> Back to school for you then.
LOL, my A/C actually works, though.
You have a serious problem on this issue???????
Or making $ from it?
Clockmeister wrote:
>
>"Patrick Young" <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote in message
>news:OxOff.21831$Hj2.4640@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>
>> Is there fluid visable in the receiver dryer? (should go from bubbly to
>> clear when the compressor kicks in)
>
>Nope, not on R134a systems. You should see bubbles moving if it is working
>properly.
Not in my limited experience with R134A.... Admittedly though, my own
personal contribution to DuPont's coffers hasn't been a large one. :)
R134A systems generally don't have sight glasses, but I've recharged
the odd one where the the replacement aftermarket receiver drier did
have a sight glass. No bubbles whatsover with the correct (weighed)
charge. Last one was only a couple of days ago.
AFAIK the bit about seeing bubbles is part of the bullshit they used
to feed those who retrofitted R12 systems -- presumably to avoid the
system throwing out on the standard high pressure switch due to the
higher operating pressure of R134A.
Even basic text book theory suggests that any gas which doesn't
liquify will do SFA for the refrigeration cycle.
--
John H
"John_H" <john4271@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gd20o1162g12tcu5vo4clipp67ng3u42a3@4ax.com...
> Clockmeister wrote:
>>
>>"Patrick Young" <patrick@hilux.ace.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote in message
>>news:OxOff.21831$Hj2.4640@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>>
>>> Is there fluid visable in the receiver dryer? (should go from bubbly to
>>> clear when the compressor kicks in)
>>
>>Nope, not on R134a systems. You should see bubbles moving if it is working
>>properly.
>
> Not in my limited experience with R134A.... Admittedly though, my own
> personal contribution to DuPont's coffers hasn't been a large one. :)
>
> R134A systems generally don't have sight glasses, but I've recharged
> the odd one where the the replacement aftermarket receiver drier did
> have a sight glass. No bubbles whatsover with the correct (weighed)
> charge. Last one was only a couple of days ago.
The main reason why sight glasses were deleted from R134a systems is to
prevent overfilling.
It is very normal to have bubbles in the sight glass of a R134a system.
> AFAIK the bit about seeing bubbles is part of the bullshit they used
> to feed those who retrofitted R12 systems -- presumably to avoid the
> system throwing out on the standard high pressure switch due to the
> higher operating pressure of R134A.
It's because retrofitted systems don't take the same amount of gas, about
80% of the volume of R12. A properly charged R134a system is likely to
exhibit bubbles, so charging by sightglass was no longer possible.
> Even basic text book theory suggests that any gas which doesn't
> liquify will do SFA for the refrigeration cycle.
>
Overgassing reduces performance and puts extra stress on components.
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