Calais aircon doesn't work when not moving

[B-Man]

aircon doesn't work when I'm sitting at stop lights.
works ok while moving but could be colder.

checked the fan. the drivers side fan kicks in when the a/c is turned on.compressor clutch engages and dis engages. could this be low pressure or ....?
I was thinking fan wasn't kicking in.

any ideas

 

[JMP]

Clutch won't engage when low on gas and I think the fan wont either from memory, the system has a pressure switch. Not sure what it could be but wouldn't hurt checking the inlet at the base of the windscreen (I think it's the called the cowl panel) I cleaned mine not long ago and it was covered in leaves and twigs thus restricting airflow.

 

[uniacidz]

Normal operation for air con to be not as cold at the lights or stationary.

The air condensor is like a radiator and needs constant flowing air over it to provide cooling to the air con system.

With the fan on whilst at the lights, only a small minimal amount of air is travelling over the condensor, hence less effective and hence not working so great at the lights.
This effect will also felt warmer if needs regassing as well as its not running to its optimum.

You can try cleaning the condensor yourself of any gunk/leaves/dust etc and see if that improves anything.

But a check up and regas/service at a reputable shop sounds like the go.
Average cost is round 120-170

 

[B-Man]

It stops working when at lights and is blowing the hot outside air in.
takes a few mins of driving to get cool.

no leaves etc in condenser

 

[B-Man]

Can only seem to get the bigger thermo fan to spin surely the little one should aswell?

swapped relays but makes no difference

all fuses seem good
at a loss..

 

[JMP]

Sounds low on gas then, small fan should be running. Get it serviced and make sure they change the receiver dryer.

 

[B-Man]

on the trip home it barely made it cool.
clutch kicks in so is working don't know why fan doesn't work.

will get it looked at when I get a chance

 

[st3r3otyp3]

the compressor will still kick over if there is enough gas to not to trip the low pressure switch, but it wont get cold, the high pressure pipe from the compressor to the condenser can become un-clipped and rub on a sharp part of the body,

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[B-Man]

that clip is broken but doesnt look like it is rubbing will have a good look in some daylight.

halfway through the trip (200km)
the high pressure pipe was pretty hot and the low pressure one near the firewall was cold but definitely not as cold as it should be.

i unplugged the thermo fans and can spin the big one by hooking it up to 12v but cant spin the small one.
so looks like i will need a small fan motor and check the gas.
if its low on gas would that means there is a slow leak?

anything else i can try to get it colder


anyone have a wiring diagram for the thermo fans and how there meant to work? i read they are low and high but can only spin the big one at one speed so unsure if i will need 2 fan motors

 

[rambunctious]

if its low on gas would that means there is a slow leak?

Most likely but maybe just so long since it was regassed.

Get it gassed and they will put a dye in it to show up any leaks.

Just a tip with Air Con, never turn it off, run it at all times as this keeps the seals moist so they don't dry out and start to leak, and if it is too cold simply dial in a little heat.