Astra a/c problem

I have a year 2000 Astra 1.6 16v Club, just over 81,000 miles on the clock.

Noticed tonight that my a/c wasn't working, i.e. the airflow through the vents didn't get cool. It was the first time I'd used the a/c for a few weeks. Checking things back at home, I noticed that when I switch the a/c on the compressor appears to run for only about 10 seconds and then cuts out. In fact I'm not actually sure the compressor runs at all, but the engine idle speed increases by about 200rpm for those 10 seconds - implying an extra load - before settling down to normal, non-a/c idle speed again.

Anyone any thoughts on what the problem might be? I'm a bit annoyed because I had the car serviced last November by my local Vauxhall dealer and they did an aircon service - on request, it being a special offer - at the same time. Well, they *billed* me for an a/c service anyway...

Reply to
A.Clews
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If indeed the compressor is cutting in breifly, then you are short of gas.

If indeed they did evac and recharge it at the service, then you have a leak!

Tim..

Reply to
Tim..

It needs regassing, I had the same problem a while back. If the local dealer claimed to have done something to it last year - take it straight back as their work should be guaranteed. Don't bother with the regassing kits for £20 from Halfords, they are a waste of time. Ask the main dealer what they did, then to put it right. Don't accept being told it needs new parts. I know of others that had their aircon serviced and it suddenly didn't work months later. The problem with having it done in winter is that you wouldn't notice cold air coming out and a lot don't use it in winter. Always get it done in the summer. Why did you have it looked at unless there was something wrong with it?

I give up with one dealer as they did unauthorised work and messed with things there was nothing wrong with, then charged for a repair. Trading Standards sent a few cars in to investigate, but are reluctant to take on a large company. No doubt they are pressured to meet sales targets like other garages.

Reply to
Rob

Thus spake Rob ( snipped-for-privacy@nonet.net) unto the assembled multitudes:

I'll be on the dog and bone shortly.

I did use mine a few times last winter but mostly for demisting purposes in wet weather. It seemed to work fine but like you say I didn't notice the air temperature because of the heating.

Yeah, I know, if it ain't broke don't fix it, but as the a/c had never been serviced before I thought it was worth a checkover and regassing just in case. Ha!

Thanks Rob and Tim for your replies.

Reply to
A.Clews

Thus spake Rob ( snipped-for-privacy@nonet.net) unto the assembled multitudes:

BTW I should have written 'September', so it was done in the late summer.

Car now booked in for a probable re-gas.

Reply to
A.Clews

A good point to note for our new readers, wswitch on for 10 minutes EVERY month as a minimum. This keeps the seals etc lubricated and working.

Also a good idea to have system regassed every 2/3 years

Reply to
Tommy

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