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[duggs]

I've just paid £30.00 for the priviledge of being told by an "air con re-gas" bloke: "Your air con compressor is buggered mate...it ain't kicking in"

I'm a little doubtfull to be honest !

How can I check his conclusion...she certainly isn't blowing cold at all. When ever I hit "auto", the fans come on full and I thought if the bottom right section on the front of the engine spins then its working, which it does. Thats where I believe the compressor is situated.

Any advice on this would be highly appreciated.

[tunnie]

I've just paid £30.00 for the priviledge of being told by an "air con re-gas" bloke: "Your air con compressor is buggered mate...it ain't kicking in"

I'm a little doubtfull to be honest !

How can I check his conclusion...she certainly isn't blowing cold at all. When ever I hit "auto", the fans come on full and I thought if the bottom right section on the front of the engine spins then its working, which it does. Thats where I believe the compressor is situated.

Any advice on this would be highly appreciated.

Errr it won't kick in if gas pressure is too low did he check pressure was right?

Also won't kick in if outside temp is below a certain amount (i forget exactly, 9 degrees or something?) So if you temp sensor is buggered it won't kick in either....

[duggs]

Interesting question Tunnie !

He said he re-gassed the system and "the compressor didn't kick in. He also said the air con only works when set to "Lo"...i'm not sure thats true. In any event he said he took the gas back out...still charged a £30.00 diagnostic fee ??

It's blinkin hot over here at the moment so thats not an issue BUT the "temp sensor" is an interesting one.

Is that an easy fix. VX are only a mile away if you think I should get the part and change it myself if I'm able.

[tunnie]

i suspect your temp sensor is fine, i cannot remember if its uses standard one from the MID (sensor on bumper)

More than likely he has not put the correct amount of gas in, as it has to be the right amount and all cars differ due to size of A/C system. When i last had mine done, the guy said (i'm just going to 'bang' some gas in there for you mate, then it will be nice and cool)

My response - You will put the right amount in, not just bang some in!

[duggs]

OOOOOO...for the £30.00 he charged me I think i'd better pop back and enquire if he topped it right up or just tried a little. Especially as he's now drained the entire system down.

[duggs]

okey dokey.  I've spoken to them on the phone.
They "say" they filled the system all the way up as directed on the bonnet sticker to 950 grams and the compressor just wasn't kicking in. Incidently, I'm under the impression that on "Auto" the air con is always working to a degree in this weather. When I select "Auto" the fans go pretty mad...can't say the car jumps especially though when auto is selected !

Having told me the compressor was "buggered" they are now saying it might be a "pressure switch", what ever that is.

Is my idea that if the compressor, bottom right of the engine is spinning then the compressor is NOT at fault correct. Could it be a fuse issue ?

I mean the front of the compressor should spin I guess because a belt is spinning her BUT how can I tell if the compressor is doing its job or not ?

[tunnie]

A/C system is no fool, if there is not enough, or too much pressure the compressor won't engage and destroy itself!

You could also do a basic check to see if he is telling porkies:

1) start engine, press off on climate

2) then press auto, if you hear a slight click and hear and see the revs rise by  100/200 rpm, then the compressor has engaged

[duggs]

This is a double edged sword Tunnie. Now that he's taken all the gas out I assume th compressor won't kick in anyway.

Just tried it though and no !  Revs stay the same and no click. In fairness, before I left her with him, it didn't click then either...but again it wouldn't if she was empty...but the guy said he filled the system and it was no different.

I wonder if there is a "climate control reset" I can carry out ?

[tunnie]

Hang on, so he put the gas in, 'said' it won't work, then taken gas out again?  :-?

[duggs]

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

[Lazydocker]

Who did you go to Duggs?

I used Kesgrave Cars, on the straight into Ipswich (left hand side), the place that sells cars too. Charged me £50 but it was done properly and took the best part of 2 hours

[Lazydocker]

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!!!!!

See my post above

[tunnie]

Absolutely....Thats what he did. Said he could leave the gas in but it was pointless AND he'd then have to charge me £60.00 not the £30.00

Hummmm! So only his say so that its faulty, and compressors not exactly cheap!

Was the air-con working before? I know some people have bought these air-con cans from Halfrauds, not sure how well they work  :-/

Sounds to me like he's taken the gas out to show its not working, and tempt you into handing out mega bucks for aircon in this hot weather as they know people want it working!

[duggs]

Think you may well be right Paul.

Another £30.00 quid up the swanny.

I "used" or rather attempted to use, A. Smith in Woodbridge Road, behind HiQ.

All trust I'm afraid ?

[duggs]

Air Con has been working, for sure up to about 3 months ago I guess.