Air cond issues

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:28 am

Hi everyone.wondering if anyone is familiar with this issue.

Everytime i turn the air cond on,the fuse controlling the r/l indicators,warning lamps and air cond blows.There is a 'tick' sound before that happens.Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what i should look at.

Thanks in advance

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 2:37 am

Short in a wire somewhere I guess.
Thats not very helpful is it!!

There are a few A/C experts on here, so I'm sure someone that knows what they are talking about will be along directly..

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:21 am

I have a air con BX but not familier with this problem. Although on saying that one problem I have noticed (more so on long trips) is a tendancy for the fan/aircon to stop working, as though it is getting to warm if that makes sense.

Talking to some air con "experts" over they tend to think a overheating solenoid tripping out. This may be what is blowing your fuses.

Maybe post on Aussie Frogs? Plenty of Aussie BX owners there with air con units fitted to BXs (and others) might be better help.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:25 am

Thanks Docchevron and Kiwi.Will post on aussie frogs if I dont go to the mech first.Will check and see if solenoid is the problem.

Thanks again

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 10:16 am

check the wire's at the air con compresor, as in the pasr i have seen damaged wires at this point, not on a BX though but theres no reason it could not be the same

regards malcolm

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:46 pm

Is it original fit AC (ie sliders in the dash) or an aftermarket job with a button by the handbrake?

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:51 pm

Assuming you have a GTi and it is fuse 2 blowing and the air blowers and the recirculation flaps work then the most likely culprit is the compressor clutch or the wiring to it as Malcolm has suggested.
Disconnect the compressor then, having checked the wiring for obvious damage try it with a new fuse.
I suggest using a supply of 10 or 15 amp fuses to minimise damage to the solid state aircon relay in the control unit while you are fault finding otherwise you could damage the aircon control unit with all that extra current from the short circuit.

If the fuse still fails then you will need a circuit diagram and disconnect the relays and switches in the circuit systematically until you find the component or wiring that blows the fuse.

Hope that helps.

prm · Post by **prm** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:49 pm

For the moment can’t quite see how the indicators and warning lights tie into blowing the air con fuse. Unless there is an earth return fault, or, as Doc mentioned, a short, possibly on the main fuse distribution or instrument panels.

A few points to eliminate that may help.
With the ignition on, air con all off and engine stationary. All lights off. Check the operation of L& R indicators, also hazards. Any cross light flashing?
Check in the dark, to see if any of the front and rear lights have a faint glow while indicating, or any of the indicator lights appear less bright. Do any warning lights illuminate or flicker with a similar pulse of the dash signalling lights???

You’ve chosen nice weather to be testing your air con!!!!
Don’t forget to run the system ounce a month for 10-15mins during the winter.
So nice not having air con. You can smile when it’s 80+ next year!!

If all appears OK. Remove the flasher unit, run the engine until fans cut in, then switch the air con on, see what happens.

Let us know the result. If fault remains, we can then run through and test the air con circuits.

Edit.
Apologies. Just noticed your not suffering from the current UK weather.

Kiwi

If the coolant charge goes above approx 19bar due to high engine or ambient temp, the pressure switch on the dryer will disengage the compressor clutch, both cooling fans will remain running until temp is reduced.
Avoids over pressurising the compressor and pipework.
Also it can be intermittent due to low charge pressure. Fluctuates on and off from engine temp, if the system pressure is hovering around the 3bar mark.

Regards

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:35 am

prm wrote:Kiwi

If the coolant charge goes above approx 19bar due to high engine or ambient temp, the pressure switch on the dryer will disengage the compressor clutch, both cooling fans will remain running until temp is reduced.
Avoids over pressurising the compressor and pipework.
Also it can be intermittent due to low charge pressure. Fluctuates on and off from engine temp, if the system pressure is hovering around the 3bar mark.

Regards

Maybe misinterpretation here

Was refering to the interior fan.

Anyways it is that time of year now out here to keep closer tabs on this problem. Probably take it in for a free health check and see what they recommend. Of course I probably will pick holes in what they say you know the saying it aint free theres a hidden cost later.

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:22 am

prm wrote:For the moment can’t quite see how the indicators and warning lights tie into blowing the air con fuse.

F2 protects both aircon and indicators and warning lights on aircon models So this fuse blowing is consistent with the symptoms.
This is assuming, with a great leap of faith, that the wiring diagrams represent reality.
The hazards lights should work however (another leap of faith here). Their supply comes via another fuse.

Could also be due to shorting in the lead to the throttle housing solenoid (assuming it is the 1992 GTi).
So Steve plenty of advice for you so far and none of it conflicting so good luck with the problem.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:51 pm

hey everyone.thanks for all your replies.Have been rather busy lately.No time to check anything.

The car is a 1992 GTi model..Originally fitted with air cond(no way anyone can sell a car here without air cond lol)Hazard lights work fine when fuse is out.right now ive put in a new fuse and doesnt blow because the air cond is off.

Will check and update you guys.Once again thank you for your help.Will follow advice.

Steve

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:09 pm

Sent car to the mech and he said it should be the compressor coil...Went to the air cond shop and air cond was working perfect..Like nothing ever happened.Im puzzled...Even now nothing is wrong..Haha..Strange

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:05 am

maybe the mechanic who looked at it disturbed the wire's near the pump, which posibly had damaged insulation and were toching earth/ground causeing the dead short blowing fuse's

regards malcolm

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:43 am

The air cond issue solved.Compressor coil changed.