Help please - Aircon suddenly stopped working

[smitch]

Help please - Aircon suddenly stopped working (not blower motor or resistor problem).

I’ve read in the clinic archives that there may be a pressure switch that turns off the aircon if system pressure is too low (not enough gas). Is this true ? My Aircon (manual system) has stopped working suddenly (was Ok last time I tried it before this recent hot weather). I’ve checked the fuses OK, the blower motors work OK on all 4 speed settings, pulley belt OK and the green button light comes on but the aircon pump doesn’t engage (no noticeable change in engine loading at idle). Knowing that the aircon pulley is engaged by an electromagnetic clutch I’ve checked for 12 v at the red wire going to the aircon pump, and confirmed no voltage with aircon on or off.

So back to my initial question. Is the system electrically shutdown due to low system pressure (hopefully an easy fix for £45 at Halfords). Or do I have an electrical gremlin to trace, where do I start ?

[David Edwards]

Well since you have done all the right checks I wou;d say the next thing is an attempt at re charge or at least top up, kwik fit offer a recharge with no fee if it doesnt work but if halfords can do it I would give it a go. As a safety measure I switch mine on regularly nearly every day all year it keeps everything running smooth.

[mikexgough]

Take off the brown connector on top of the drier bottle(behind the radiator) link it across with cable and run the engine and then switch on the air con ......the rad fans should kick in and spin up and the air con clutch will be heard.....if that works.....regas...

[francophile1947]

Yes, you're right - the aircon won't work if the gas is too low. Remember that, ideally, it should be used weekly to keep the seals in good condition. Failure to do so may result in the seals drying out and the gas escaping.

[kelv]

The gas just doesn't run out.
If you need a re gas, you also need to find out where the gas is leaking out from, otherwise your regas is only a short term quick fix.

[dandywarhol]

Not stricktly true kelv - if the a/c isn't used on a regular basis then the gas will escape past the compressor seals.

[kelv]

Not stricktly true kelv - if the a/c isn't used on a regular basis then the gas will escape past the compressor seals.

Yes, but do the compressor seals start sealing again when the aircon is turned on, or do they need replacing ?

[francophile1947]

Not stricktly true kelv - if the a/c isn't used on a regular basis then the gas will escape past the compressor seals.

Yes, but do the compressor seals start sealing again when the aircon is turned on, or do they need replacing ?

Depends on how bad they've got. Once the PAG oil starts to recirculate, the seals usually work, unless they're knac-- (dried out too much):lol: .

[phiiiiil]

If I remember rightly from the chap who did mine an "average" car with "average" seals will lose 100g of gas a year just because no seal is perfect, even if the system is used regularly to circulate the oil.

[dandywarhol]

As franco says - the oil will help soften the seals if they haven't been dry and motionless for too long

[kelv]

As franco says - the oil will help soften the seals if they haven't been dry and motionless for too long

That's good to know then. The last time my aircon broke ( on a peugeot 406) there was a great big hole in the aircon rad.
No amount of regassing would fix that !
Most expensive car ever to keep on the road, things just kept going wrong, every month.
Sold it in the end, the new owner probably got all the benefit of 6 months worth of fixing

If the Bongo starts the same games, it will be for the chop !

[smitch]

Thanks for the feedback, I’ve done the recommended check, true enough air con turns on if I short out the pressure cut out switch. Unfortunately Kwik Fit couldn’t do a rechange as the Bongo isn’t listed on their recharging machines data base and they couldn’t programme the setting manually. Definetly a case of “computer says no…” AKA Little Britain. A couple of local garages quoted over £100 for a recharge so I got a DIY recharge kit from Halfords (Yes I know the fact sheet says it’s not recommended). Put it in and Bob’s you Fathers brother - icy cold blast ! The recharge kit included the right gas and oil and had a pressure gauge so you can see how much you’re putting in. A bargain at less than £40 and I got a free air con cleaner (air freshener) too which I haven’t used yet.

Seems to be OK. I’ll post again if there’s any problems. I also noticed that the little sight glass next to the pressure switch was black before I did the recharge, flickered black and white while the gas was going in and is now white with aircon running. I’m guessing this is a crude ‘ NOGO/SOSO/OK’ indicator for gas level. Can anyone confirm this ? If so it would be a useful tip to include in the fact sheet along with the short out the pressure switch test.

Cheers

[dom_e]

I've just booked a chap from LVV services (http://www.lvvservices.com/) for £60. It seems they are a franchise business accross the UK. He said they check for leaks and re-gas (with a dye). They can't fix a broken unit though.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for the feedback, I’ve done the recommended check, true enough air con turns on if I short out the pressure cut out switch. Unfortunately Kwik Fit couldn’t do a rechange as the Bongo isn’t listed on their recharging machines data base and they couldn’t programme the setting manually. Definetly a case of “computer says no…” AKA Little Britain. A couple of local garages quoted over £100 for a recharge so I got a DIY recharge kit from Halfords (Yes I know the fact sheet says it’s not recommended). Put it in and Bob’s you Fathers brother - icy cold blast ! The recharge kit included the right gas and oil and had a pressure gauge so you can see how much you’re putting in. A bargain at less than £40 and I got a free air con cleaner (air freshener) too which I haven’t used yet.

Seems to be OK. I’ll post again if there’s any problems. I also noticed that the little sight glass next to the pressure switch was black before I did the recharge, flickered black and white while the gas was going in and is now white with aircon running. I’m guessing this is a crude ‘ NOGO/SOSO/OK’ indicator for gas level. Can anyone confirm this ? If so it would be a useful tip to include in the fact sheet along with the short out the pressure switch test.

Cheers

Wow! I've not heard of successful use of the recharge kit yet so interesting to hear your news. Keep us posted if poss on whether aircon stays icecold and well done

Kwikfit were waffling. When all this started (and on here somewhere if you Search) we used to tell members to tell Kwikfit to phone the garage that had done a Bongo and could advise them on tech spec. Its not good enough of them to say its not on their computer. If you can give them the figures, they should do it.

Whereabouts is the little sight glass next to the pressure switch as I'd be interested to check mine?

[smitch]

Sight glass is on the top of the receiver/drier just in front of the pressure swith with the brown elec connector on it and is about 1/4" round. I've still got air con on my journey home today, fingers crossed