Since the weather has been very hot recently, I've been trying to use the climate control. However I'm not sure if it is working properly. I always press the 'Auto' button then adjust the temperature (I set it to about 16), but it feels as though it is just drawing the air from the outside and blowing it in the car. I don't really know how to use the climate control, I've only used it when it has been cold, so I may be doing something wrong.

 

It had its MOT on Monday, and it passed with no advisaries, and when I used it when it was cold it seemed to work fine. :confused:

When you press the auto button, take it down to 10, then raise it to 16, should get cold within about 15/20 secs.

Mine does a similar thing, when i restart the car after stopping for a while, i find adjusting the temp again does the trick.

Thanks for your suggestion, I tried it but to no avail. When I came home today me and my father checked a couple of things. The sight glass shows that there is refrigerant running through the system, and the pump seems to be working fine as well. Could it be something like a sensor that has gone wrong?

Thanks for your suggestion, I tried it but to no avail. When I came home today me and my father checked a couple of things. The sight glass shows that there is refrigerant running through the system, and the pump seems to be working fine as well. Could it be something like a sensor that has gone wrong?

 

It could actually need regassing anyway. coolant might not be up to the job if the system hasnt been maintained before you purchased the car.

I have a daft question for you - whilst you have pressed the "auto" button, you are not using the "econ" mode are you? As "econ" will operate the blowers but without the a/c system being engaged.

 

Also, with the car idling, switch off the system for a minute or so; then when you turn it back on, does the idle speed rise? It should do as the compressor unit clutch engages.

 

Otherwise as Voddy says, you could just need a re-gas. Make sure you find someone who can do it with the R12 replacement gas though - JeffTT canget this done for you mate!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

System is very simple to use, set the temp to what you would like in the cabin, press auto, never touch it again.

 

If it isn't cold in hot weather then there is a problem with the AC, if Jeff knows about the R12 gas then probably best not to mess around and just take it to him.

I have a daft question for you - whilst you have pressed the "auto" button, you are not using the "econ" mode are you? As "econ" will operate the blowers but without the a/c system being engaged.

 

Also, with the car idling, switch off the system for a minute or so; then when you turn it back on, does the idle speed rise? It should do as the compressor unit clutch engages.

 

Otherwise as Voddy says, you could just need a re-gas. Make sure you find someone who can do it with the R12 replacement gas though - JeffTT canget this done for you mate!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

No, I don't use the ECO mode, I just press the AUTO button then set the temperature. Me and my father are going to try the diagnostics on the air conditioning to see if there are any fault codes that relate to one of the sensors. If not, then I guess recharging the system would be the next step.

 

However, I thought the R12 gas was illegal now. If the car has never had the system recharged before, will the entire system need replacing to accomodate the new gas?:confused:

I think it is just the connectors that need to be converted at the re charging points,

not 100% sure though.

No, I don't use the ECO mode, I just press the AUTO button then set the temperature. Me and my father are going to try the diagnostics on the air conditioning to see if there are any fault codes that relate to one of the sensors. If not, then I guess recharging the system would be the next step.

 

However, I thought the R12 gas was illegal now. If the car has never had the system recharged before, will the entire system need replacing to accomodate the new gas?:confused:

 

R12 is indeed illegal - however there is a replacement drop-in gas that has the same properties (so you do not have to convert to the new R134 gas). JeffTT uses a specialist who can do this; it is a bit more expensive than regassing a newer car with the R134 gas, but it works perfectly in older cars like the ZX. I think it was about £80 for the regas....

 

He did mine 3 years ago and the a/c is ice cold. Not quite as good as my Merc's system, but it works better than that in Julia's 2006 Rav!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

as mentioned theres a good chance it just needs a regas - heres some info: http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?33691-Air-Con-regas

 

R12 has been illegal for some years now - it is also illegal for anyone to regas any car unless they have the government F-gas training certificate (which I have BTW :smartass: )