Engine cuts out when climate control activated

[Glenda]

Just driven back from Turkey brilliant trip despite a/c going at Calais. Could not be refilled with gas and told compressor was broken. So got too hot in Turkey and too cold in Switzerland on Sunday driving through a snow blizzard for 4 hours without heating.

For last 2 weeks if climate control activated whilst engine running it would cut out engine. Any ideas?

[g8dhe]

If the air con compressor is broken then it sounds like its seized up, given that its driven by a belt from the engine (only via a magnetic clutch) just the same way as the Alternator and water pump are, that maybe the cause of the engine cutting out - presumably when your idling ?
Try turning the unit on but then switch the Air con itself off, that will then let you use the heater and blowers at least without the Air Con clutch engaging and loading the engine up.

[Glenda]

It also cut out whilst driving and so I had to ensure not to accidentally push the button. Will try unit on minus a/c next time out. Thanks.

[g8dhe]

Replacements are available from the breakers several reports of problems fixed if you do a search on here, several listed on Ebay as well http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksi ... &_from=R40

[wonkanoby]

cut the belt to be on safe side

[rita]

It also cut out whilst driving and so I had to ensure not to accidentally push the button. Will try unit on minus a/c next time out. Thanks.

Hi Glenda,

It would probably be safer if you have the AC belt removed in the meantime..

[wonkanoby]

just cut it as evan with a new a/c if its been stopping the engine its not going to be in good nick

[jaylee]

Hi Glenda, what type engine & van year have you.....?

To stop the clutch activating on the AC compressor pump, just disconnect the connector to the one wire that goes into it!

[Glenda]

It's a 1996 V6. It's going down to Allans Vehicles at some point.

It's had happy trips in 5 years to Morocco, Isle of Skye and Crete but the latest 6 week trip round Turkey started with this, then had to replace bit of exhaust outside Istanbul, hit the top rear on a tree branch in Cappadoccia, broke a front fog light from stone thrown up by lorry, ripped mosquito net on both side (gaffa tape sorted it), then got the oil drip inside rocker box and finally another hole in exhaust outside Calais.

Still the V6 blew its way back home ready for some r&r and remedial repairs. It gave us another brilliant trip and I apologise to the Bongo that I dreamed of having a VW.

[Glenda]

I have just changed the fuel filter. The V6 now has its power back. New exhaust section added and running fine again. BUT..............

The A/C is now working again????? Is this pure coincidence? Surely the fuel filter change would not effect the ac?

Good news anyway. Wish I had a fuel filter in Turkey. Just the broken front fog light cover to replace now.

[g8dhe]

Yup, coincidence, unless you have a wiring fault which has been disturbed by changing the filter etc. but that won't be easy to prove if its intermittent, but might be worth waggling the cable forms in the area and see if anything cuts out ...

[Simon Jones]

The only wiring that runs past the fuel filter goes to the rear compartment for the heater and rear lights. However, I suppose as that is linked to the A/C there is a slim chance it's related. If the fuel filter was badly blocked, then the additional load caused the A/C could be enough to drop the revs to the point where the engine cuts out. The main thing is that its working at the moment .