Aircon is it worth the hassle?

[Loveslug]

HI

I've owned ,my car for around 4 years now, its a 99 t reg hdi and as far as i'm aware the aircon has never worked, its one of those things that I never had the cash or time to look at, I did pick up a new compressor (not brand new) and thought about getting it changed to see if that makes any difference, I've looked at all the relevent pipework and it all seems fine but there is not any signs that the compressor is actually doing anything, ie no extra noise from engine reving or a clicking sound etc.
Having read the Haynes book and various posts on here it seems that this work would have to be done by an aircon specialist anyway, and that sounds expensive especially if we don't know exactly what the problem is, so its just a bit of advice and an idea on costs if possible,
Is it something a keen amatuer mech can do themselves or am i likely to cause more problems than its worth.
Thanks for any advice guys
and apologies if this is in the wrong section

[omega]

lots of places will check this out for you for little money
a garage near me is doing aircion checks for 49 pounds also kwick fit will do it for 99 pounds
you cant do this yourself so i think this is the way to go at least you find out whats wrong.
it might just need a regas, and it is worth getting it done.

[Captain Jack]

Could be just a fuse or relay

[FarmerPug]

Its worth getting fixed, aircon is great at the moment with this summer, but it also demists the windows really quick in the winter

[teamster1975]

I'll also add that once you've got kids you do NOT want a car without air conditioning!
Sounds as though it needs a re-gas; hopefully the condensor hasn't rusted through. The compressor won't kick in if there isn't enough gas pressure.

[steve_earwig]

There's nothing like sitting in a traffic queue on a hot day with no air con, it's character building I tell thee

[teamster1975]

There's nothing like sitting in a traffic queue on a hot day with no air con, it's character building I tell thee

Especially on a Friday afternoon in rush hour on the M25

[Doggy]

I think it's worth getting fixed. Most common fault is a leaky condenser / no gas.

You can VERY CAREFULLY test if there's any gas in it by pressing the central pin in one of the connectors they re-gas it through, (next to / in front of the battery). Work like a valve in a tyre, give it the breifest prod, you'll soon know if there's any gas in there.....

Condenser cost me about £110, 2-3 hours DIY fitting, and about £45 for re-gas see here

[DiscoPol]

I think it's worth getting fixed. Most common fault is a leaky condenser / no gas.

You can VERY CAREFULLY test if there's any gas in it by pressing the central pin in one of the connectors they re-gas it through, (next to / in front of the battery). Work like a valve in a tyre, give it the breifest prod, you'll soon know if there's any gas in there.....

Condenser cost me about £110, 2-3 hours DIY fitting, and about £45 for re-gas see here

Doggy are you recommending somebody should even look at, let alone touch their own A/C system

my god man the Enviro-Feds will be down on him like a ton of bricks, you do know that you guys back in the UK are not even allowed to talk about such things without a license and appropriate certificate in triplicate, dont you?



Polski

The Land of the Free.

[steve_earwig]

You should check that, I was talking my buddies who run the garage/car spares shop and they said yeah, we have that law too now. I guess it's an EU-wide law and, as the politicians here have their eye on the MEP "don't do much and get rich on expenses and fiddles" gravy train, they've introduced it unnecessarily early as an "our citizens are bent over ready for you" incentive for member nations to accept Croatia into the European Union pyramid scheme

[DiscoPol]

I reckon it is a euro wide scheme, but what is illegal and what is against the law here are two different things

its kinda nice in a way, its a bit like the UK before it went Nanny State crazy and became the most over policed state i have ever lived in, and i have spent time in quite a few countries throughout the world.

Polski

[Doggy]

Doggy are you recommending somebody should even look at, let alone touch their own A/C system

It's OK I've had counselling.

Still come out with all sorts of rubbish, but I don't feel guilty anymore

[Loveslug]

Thanks for the advice guys i think i'll book it in for someone to look at, I did buy one of those nasty re-gas tins, but have not actually done it as i figured it'll probably not work!!
I hope its just no gas as someone suggested but it has never worked all the time i've had it so i'm not sure, I'm sure that the air people will figure it out.
Thanks again guys

[DodgeyRog]

Hello,

Just stumbled across this thread whilst doing a search for A/C problems, I have a 99 406 2.0 Exec D9 Saloon. Just tried to get the A/C system working again, after get it tested, found out there was a leak on the pipe, replaced, then the condensor had holes in it, replaced that and now, after its holding gas. Now, the compressor works, but it seems there's a fault in the control module that tells the compressor to kick in, is this a pressure problem or is there a solution reagarding having the vehicle control module removed and repaired?

I'm hoping someone else might have experienced something similar, but these hot days are killing me!!! Any pointers would be appreciated, be good to have some cold air!

Thanks.

[no2lurch]

Hello,

Just stumbled across this thread whilst doing a search for A/C problems, I have a 99 406 2.0 Exec D9 Saloon. Just tried to get the A/C system working again, after get it tested, found out there was a leak on the pipe, replaced, then the condensor had holes in it, replaced that and now, after its holding gas. Now, the compressor works, but it seems there's a fault in the control module that tells the compressor to kick in, is this a pressure problem or is there a solution reagarding having the vehicle control module removed and repaired?

I'm hoping someone else might have experienced something similar, but these hot days are killing me!!! Any pointers would be appreciated, be good to have some cold air!

Thanks.

can you say why you think there is a problem? the system is supposed to cycle on and off as opposed to being on continuosly.