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[Bionic]

How can I tell if the Air Con compressor is working as there is no noise or rev change when it turned on or off by the use of the ECO button? All fuses are unblown but not sure how to check relay(?). Due to previous HBV change the heaters are fine and working as they should and there is no coolant loss at all but the AirCon just will not have it! It goes in early next month for ther AirCon Condenser to be changed but after the last re-charge it did not get cool anyway, best it would do was 18C with Climate Control on Auto. Anyone any ideas? Will it need a new compressor?
Ray

[razzo]

I believe the compressor has a sensor in it where if the system runs low on pressure the compressor does not cut in. I would wait till you get the condensor fitted & the system regassed before condemming the compressor

[Bionic]

I had a full evac and re-gas before I placed this querey because the AirCon was not cooling below 18C so I need to know how, or if I can test anything myself before taking it to a costly service centre.
Ray

[feeutfo]

in engine bay look at drive belt, when engine running the bottom right pulley is ac pump and if ac is working the 4 knobs on the end should be spinning, if not the pump has cut out, usually because the system has run out of gas and the built in clutch has dis engaged to protect itself as the gas also carrys the oil that lubes it. No 1 cause of lost gas afaik is a holed condensor, so from what you say the likely good is that someone is working on the right lines. But did they not explane that to you? Presumably, they found a leak in the condensor and hence the change? By the way i would expect them to change the dryer as well, canister ally beer can thing right of the rad.

[feeutfo]

ps if pump is working check the vac pipe on top of the hbv is ok both ends, i read it controls vents to dash iirc

[Bionic]

Been there and done that because if the vac pipe was not connected at both ends and working the heaters would not work either.
Can I test the AirCon Compressor clutch in sit? If so how?
Ray

[dbug]

Yes easy to check air con compressor pump in situ.  Disconnect elec plug from compressor - note which pin is +ve (see which pin in plug has power when a/c on).  Connect 12volt across the two pins on compressor keeping polarity correct.  If cluch is working you will hear it throw in.  Its quite a loud clunk so you will not miss it!
Hope this helps.

[Bionic]

Cheers, I will give it a try tomoz when it will hopefully be a bit drier to crawl under it.
Presumably I could put a voltmeter across the two wires I take off and see if they give power or not while I am underneath? If no power there I suppose I should check the relay wherever that is?
Cheers
Ray

[dbug]

Use multimeter or run a bulb to earth.

When mine went - checked for power at plug - ok.  12V across compressor terminals - no sound of clutch throwing.  Got a 2nd hand compressor off OOF for about £30.  This tested ok off car for clutch throw.  Been in over 12 months and is working ok.  Cost of new compressor is silly money
 

[Bionic]

£30 quid sounds fine to me and I will take a look at OOF if mine fails the lamp test. It looks like it may be a dry day so I hope it stays that way and I will get on with it.
Do I have to takee it to a centre to evac the system if it needs to be changed or can I just open the unions?
RIGHT my m8!
Done the test as you have said with a direct feed from the battery to the compressor and it does pull the clutch in. It does so with an audible click and I could see visual movement of the clutch but it was not a heavy clunk as someone else said it would be.
I have also had the chance to check the Secondary Fusebox under the bonnet and I found that the I have a relay that is a GM one but the wrong colour, it is Red and not Green which according to the book should be for an AirCon vehicle. Would this make any difference?? I intend to buy the correct one from the dealership tomoz and try it again.
Until then I can do nothing (bloody bank holiday closings).
Am I on the right track?
Ray

[dbug]

Sounds like clutch free and not sticking.

Ideally system should be evaced prior to removing compressor.

With regards to relay I don't know but would do same as you - replace with correct known working one.

Good luck with it

[FRE07962128]

Use multimeter or run a bulb to earth.

When mine went - checked for power at plug - ok.  12V across compressor terminals - no sound of clutch throwing.  Got a 2nd hand compressor off OOF for about £30.  This tested ok off car for clutch throw.  Been in over 12 months and is working ok.  Cost of new compressor is silly money
 

Indeed!  My 1996 Elite one failed and cost £1,000+ to replace!! ............and I paid it!  Still then money was easy come easy go!!

[newhouse]

I was told by the guy who came out to fix my aircon system www.aircondoctor.co.uk a common fault with any aircon system where the air compressor is mounted at the bottom of the engine bay, as on an omgegs is clutch seizer due to fording flood water. Made more common by the all the wet weather we have had. He said his sales of compressors have quadrupled over the last two years.  Have a look in the space between the fan housing and the exchanger and see if it’s full of dried leaves and other pond life. If the clutch is seized and not operating fully a common fix is to soak it wd40 and give it a belt with a hammer to free it. Nothing to lose if you next step is to swap it. Also look at his FAQ page – Helped me in general faultfinding.

[FRE07962128]

I was told by the guy who came out to fix my aircon system www.aircondoctor.co.uk a common fault with any aircon system where the air compressor is mounted at the bottom of the engine bay, as on an omgegs is clutch seizer due to fording flood water. Made more common by the all the wet weather we have had. He said his sales of compressors have quadrupled over the last two years.  Have a look in the space between the fan housing and the exchanger and see if it’s full of dried leaves and other pond life. If the clutch is seized and not operating fully a common fix is to soak it wd40 and give it a belt with a hammer to free it. Nothing to lose if you next step is to swap it. Also look at his FAQ page – Helped me in general faultfinding.

My failed compressor actually stopped the engine being turned at the time!

[Bionic]

No rubbish accumulated anywhere.
I have now changed the incorrect relay(Red 5 pin) for the correct one (Green 4 pin) with no difference, it still don't work! Genuine vaux parts.
I will leave off now until the concenser has been changed and the system re-charged.
I will then give an account of what the results are.
I might just give the compressor clutch a dose of WD40 if I can figure out just where to spray it in.
Ray