Astra aircon ...

So. Got the missus's TD5 suspension problems sorted with some good info on here from Scott, and now I've got a problem with my Astra ! 55 plate (Jan

2006) Astra 1.9 TDi Estate, "Design" spec model.

The aircon has ceased. No warnings. No drop in efficiency. Two days ago it worked fine, Now it doesn't work at all ... Press the button. Light comes on. No cold air. Previously, it turned frigid within seconds. Had my tame mechanic stick his head under the bonnet, but he admits that it is 'not his thing'. However, he was quite sure that the compressor clutch was not pulling in. We checked every fuse that might be even vaguely involved,in both the cargo space fuse panel, and the engine compartment one but all were intact.

Before taking it to a 'specialist' for 3 wrong diagnoses before they finally stumble on the cause, is there any common problem with this model for sudden aircon failure or failure of the compressor clutch to operate, or any simple checks that I can carry out to aid with diagnosis ?

TIA

Arfa

Reply to
Arfa Daily
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first check is the pressure in the system, too low and the clutch doesn't move.

Reply to
MrCheerful

And if it went from working fully to no cooling at all in a very short space of time, it might be worth a visual inspection to see if a hose has failed, a pipe has corroded through, or if anything has holed the condenser.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

Chris Whelan wrote in news:C6nhz.576784$ snipped-for-privacy@fx33.am:

Thanks both. I'll try to check some of that. I have also heard that the magnetic clutch can fail with an open circuit coil. Any comments, or anyone have any experience of this ?

Arfa

Reply to
Arfa Daily

Quick check with the testmeter would show that one.

FWIW, I've always found the one man band, mobile aircon people to know their stuff. More so than the garages that have just been sold the (fully automated) regassing kit.

Reply to
Scott M

just disconnect the clutch and put power/earth to the leads, if it goes clack it is fine

Reply to
MrCheerful

I have seen the connector block at the pump burn the connectors, so the aircon relay is giving power, but nothing gets through, I found that by long experimentation and waggling with the circuit powered up (although it was actually a vectra, I bet it is very similar)

Reply to
MrCheerful

Almost certainly as simple as the pressure was just over the cut-out threshold, now it's just under it.

Regas.

This is the one time when the right answer is "Take it to KF" - they don't charge if it don't work.

Reply to
Adrian

Adrian wrote in news:nm632p$jgj$ snipped-for-privacy@gioia.aioe.org:

Thanks everyone for all the input so far. I will try to find the time to check some of it over the weekend. I'll report back if I find anything

Arfa

Reply to
Arfa Daily

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