Air Con

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r_306_XSi
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Air Con

Post by r_306_XSi »

Hi all,
Just wondered if anyone could give me the lowdown on 306 models with Air conditioning.
Mine doesn't work, and with summer coming along thought I'd get it sorted!
Asked the dealer and they said £120 for a check and re-gas. I phoned around and got a quote for £65 for the same job. Looking in the manual just states "this is a specialist job and should be entrusted to the experts". What I want to know is, how specialist is this job - should I entrust it to the dealer (for twice the cost) or can any old monkey with the appropriate gas sort it out?
Also, if my fault is more serious, what sort of things are prone to go wrong (and if possible, any idea of cost?)
Thanks.
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np
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Post by np »

The only difference in price is main dealer labour charge.
How old is the car?
Have you checked the fuse/fuses?
Do you feel a slight jurk when driving and switching on a/c?
Is there a slight drop in engine revs when turning a/c on?
When was the last time it worked?
PowerLee
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Post by PowerLee »

Hi
Turn the ignition on but dont start the engine
Turn the AC on & set the temp to the coldest setting, Can you hear a click? If yes the fuses are ok.
I reckon you will find it needs a re-gas, as soon as the gas level & pressure drop too low, the system shuts down to protect it self.
Go to an Aircon specalist & get it checked out, About £60 - 70 for a vac out, re oil & re-gas.
r_306_XSi
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Post by r_306_XSi »

Not sure when the Air con last worked as I only bought it last Winter.
Don't hear any "click" at all when I move the heat setting to the coldest setting. The little green light on the button comes on, doesn't this mean its active?
I have a R Reg 306 2.0L 16V XSi with A/C & Climate Control.
I figured it needed a re-gas, but maybe its something more basic?
Any ideas what fuses are for the Air Con?
PowerLee
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 May 2004, 19:49
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Current - Slightly modified 2016 Pug 308 Puretech 130 Allure
Past:
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1996 - 406 GLX XU10J4R
1994 - 405 GTX XU10J2
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Post by PowerLee »

Hi
Do the cooling fans run when you turn the ac on?
Cant help with your fuses im afraid.
r_306_XSi
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Post by r_306_XSi »

Hello!
Found a fuse list - Fuse 21 (30A) is the kiddy!!
Nothing happens when I turn the A/C on other than the little green light on the button comes on. The fuse is ok - if I remove the fuse then the little green light does not come on.
I'm nearly convinced its just the gas is depressurised. Another forum suggests removing the four pin plug from the pressure valve (by the washer bottle) and shorting pins 1 & 2). This will fool the system into thinking there is pressure, and the compressor should run - ruling out electrical problems (tho I guess you don't want to do this for long!). Not sure whether that is a safe test...
PowerLee
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 May 2004, 19:49
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Current - Slightly modified 2016 Pug 308 Puretech 130 Allure
Past:
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1995 - 405 Executive XU10J2
1996 - 406 GLX XU10J4R
1994 - 405 GTX XU10J2
x 1

Post by PowerLee »

Hi
Yes you can test it that way, But dont do it for long, about a minute max, just do it to confirm that you do indeed need a re-gas.
r_306_XSi
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Post by r_306_XSi »

Hooray!!
Thanks for all your help - I shorted the two pins together, turned on the ignition and pressed the A/C button and the cooling fans whirred up!
I guess this is right (even with the engine off?) and means all I need is a re-gas!
I'll arrange a visit to my local (non-delear!) garage!
Has this test verified that I have no other problems, or could I still get stung for a nasty bill do you think?
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Post by r_306_XSi »

P.S. Thank you all for your quick, and very helpful responses.
PowerLee
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 May 2004, 19:49
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My Cars: Current - Slightly modified 2016 Pug 308 Puretech 130 Allure
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1995 - 405 Executive XU10J2
1996 - 406 GLX XU10J4R
1994 - 405 GTX XU10J2
x 1

Post by PowerLee »

Hi
As long as the system isnt leaking, this is gonna cost you about £60 - 70 to re- gas.
They should vac the system out for a least 45 mins first, then re-oil the system.
Then the gas goes in
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np
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Post by np »

Just a thought,and a bit silly,but seen it a few times before.Have a check under car and see if there is a belt connected to the compressor/pump.It`s been known that if it gows wrong,some people put a smaller belt on to bypass the pump.Silly but true!
If all else fails,then a check up is needed.Even if the gas has never been changed,there should be a little bit of chilled air coming through.I think the recomended gas change is about 2-4 years.
r_306_XSi
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Post by r_306_XSi »

Thanks to you all - I checked the belt was right, no problems there.
I thought it was working a couple of weeks ago as I have got some "coldish" air through - but I could have just been hopeful - I've never heard the fans run up when I switched it on with the engine off as I did just now (shorting the pressure switch).
As I got the car quite cheap, £65 at the local garage seems a bargain to get the A/C sorted!
PowerLee
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 May 2004, 19:49
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Current - Slightly modified 2016 Pug 308 Puretech 130 Allure
Past:
2003 - 206 GLX TU3JP & 206 SE ET3JP4
1995 - 405 Executive XU10J2
1996 - 406 GLX XU10J4R
1994 - 405 GTX XU10J2
x 1

Post by PowerLee »

Hi
I have to have mine re - gassed every 18 months on my 405, but then again, the AC is on all the time, Its good at demisting the windows too.
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np
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Post by np »

One last thing.You my need the dryer/receiving bottle changed.A black canister under bonnet,usally by rad.Mine had to be changed & regas 2 yrs ago(still cool)If that needs doing as well,bargain on about£100-£150 all in.I think they usally change then every 2-3 regases.
Once done & working,run it about once a month 4 about 20mins(even in winter)as it lubricates all the system and compressor,thus stopping it from seizing through lack of use.
As PowerLee says,its great at demisting the windows!
Good luck,let us know the outcome.
PowerLee
Posts: 1260
Joined: 01 May 2004, 19:49
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Current - Slightly modified 2016 Pug 308 Puretech 130 Allure
Past:
2003 - 206 GLX TU3JP & 206 SE ET3JP4
1995 - 405 Executive XU10J2
1996 - 406 GLX XU10J4R
1994 - 405 GTX XU10J2
x 1

Post by PowerLee »

Hi
Yes, set the temp to about 24 deg C the fan speed to about 3 quarters & be amazed at how quick the windows de-mist
We are talking under 10 SECONDS!
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