aircon not cooling

[Henkjan]

darn, finally the wether turns warm, then the airco goes on strike

in my S2 coupé ('95, ABY) the airco all of a sudden does not cool anymore, the klimatronic is OK, but the compressor does not kick in. any suggestions? relais? (where is the airco relais? it's not in the box under the hood)

[JasonS]

The compressor won't come on if you don't have enough gas in the condenser.. I had to get a new condenser as mine had a great big hole in it, then have it charged with gas before my compresseor would work..

Now it works fine, but my car goes faster with it turned off, so I just open the sunroof!

[Henkjan]

The compressor won't come on if you don't have enough gas in the condenser..

which is the right answer (btw: what happend to mr. brown suit?), climatronic error code indicated "A/C refrigerant low pressure switch" as reason for the compressor being of.

[S2central.net]

Henkjan - that fault code is consistent with a system leak which means you have insufficient gas. Damage would be caused to your compressor if this low pressure switch did not do its job properly. Just be thankful you have an LHD car with Aircon diagnostics - we folk in rip-off Britain don't have that luxury on our S2's...

Take the car to a reputable A/C specialist for a leak test - usually done by a special dye added to the system with a charge of gas that can be detected by UV lamp.

When getting the leak repaired, it is best practice to have the orifice tube and filter/drier changed at the same time.

Paul

[GlynRS2]

I had the same thing on my RS2. One of the pipes coming off the bottom of the compressor had developed a leak - was rubbing slightly against somthing. As a result all the gas had leaked out. Quite a small hole but the air con guys can run through some gas with a dye in it to check for leaks & found it that way.
All sorted now, new pipe was about £90 & re-gas £50.
Now runs really cool .

[Sidspud]

I had similar last summer. Turns out it was the pipe behind the RHS (from the front) wheel arch liner that was leaking. ETKA has the wrong part number for the pipe so beware. I can't remember the correct number is but Martynf might as I'm sure he had the same pipe replaced around the same time.
If you let them **** it up by ordering the wrong part, then you might get them to gas it up for free. It worked for me

[Henkjan]

Take the car to a reputable A/C specialist for a leak test - usually done by a special dye added to the system with a charge of gas that can be detected by UV lamp.

When getting the leak repaired, it is best practice to have the orifice tube and filter/drier changed at the same time.

have made an appointment for next week with a radiator / aircon specialist that's in business for some 80 years or so.... will check for the tube replacement (to trust is good, to check is better). they will check for leaks first, refill only if no leaks, so 1st impression is OK

[audiman]

As Paul said, system is low on gas. May just need a charge up if its never been done before, or it may have a leak.

[horvathg]

As Paul said, system is low on gas. May just need a charge up if its never been done before, or it may have a leak.

At first attempt my specialist didn't find the leak. Now the system is filled with some 20 bar Nitrogen and will be torn down to look for the hole. I am not very happy for this.

[DaveS]

Must be contagious,

Went out in the RS2 this afternoon and switched on the (manual) air con and nothing. Light comes on but no cool air.

Car hasn't been used much over the last few months but I always try to get teh air con on once a month to keep it lubricated.

When you switch the aircon on there is a very slight drop in the revs but not the usualmore obvious dip.

I guess it could be a leak, but last time I had it on it was (as always) ice cold and I've done very few miles since.

Could be anoter trip to the dealer for diagnosis. Serves me right for not using the car.

[Henkjan]

mine had (has) a leak in the compressor suction hose, total cost quoted at 570 euros (~380 pund?)

@horvathg: can't they add some fluorescent dye and then look with an UV lamp to find the leak? That's what I understand to be the standard procedure

[audiman]

Sounds like a leak then Dave.

AC pipes etc are expensive. Most places can repair the hoses tho. I had one repaired last year cost me 20 quid!!

[DaveS]

'Fraid it does look like a leak,

Hope its not like our old 944 which had a stone go through the condenser... big bucks

However had a similar problem with my old A6 and this turned out just to be some duff wiring - cost £5. Bet its more than £5 this time.

[Beetie]

However had a similar problem with my old A6 and this turned out just to be some duff wiring - cost £5. Bet its more than £5 this time.

Typical S/RS2 ownership!

[audiman]

Dave, if you are going to Billing, then I can carry out an AC pressure test for you to find the leak if you wish.