[Engine] air con

[Ikanpaul]

air con problem, hi ive just got home and was cleaning dashboard when i remembered that have air con, fired up engine pressed the button and no usual CLUNK as clutch engages, no fuses gone, the freewheel part of pully will turn easily and smooth , I have not used it for a few months could it need re gassing as I have never had it done ever at least 6 years minnimum!. Could lack of pressure stop it engaging !http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/smilies%202/icon_sad.gif

[addo]

Yes, either inadequate pressure or cabin fan controller module problems will see the climate control ECU not give a signal to the compressor clutch relay.

[ffrenchie]

air con problem, hi ive just got home and was cleaning dashboard when i remembered that have air con, fired up engine pressed the button and no usual CLUNK as clutch engages, no fuses gone, the freewheel part of pully will turn easily and smooth , I have not used it for a few months could it need re gassing as I have never had it done ever at least 6 years minnimum!. Could lack of pressure stop it engaging !http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/smilies%202/icon_sad.gif

Lack of gas could stop it engaging the pump but it could also be outside temperature if it's cold it will not kick in till it rises.

[Lighty]

Most car A/C requires topping up every 3 years, so after 6 years its probably all gone.

[Ikanpaul]

I have just called an air-con specialist who is sure as lighty says that a recharge will most likely be the cure as he has had many older vehicles in the past which have had this problem, he also said that extreme cold below -10 should stop the compressor cutting in so not as to damage the system, he also told me to run the air-con monthly on older vehicles for at least 15mins to maintain seals.
I have always maintained my berlingo at all costs but admit neglecting the air con as its only usefull in traffic-jams as it makes the van so slow as to be almost undriveable when engaged 0-60 in as many seconds! anyway I will treat it and let you know the results thanks.alut:

[Ol'Jeffers]

I use my aircon in the winter in combination with the heater.
It stops the car getting 'stuffy' and helps keep me awake when sitting in stationary traffic.

[addo]

I do exactly the same; my aircon is always running on my cars and I simply adjust the temperature. Further to that I swap around where it's coming out, on a hot day straight at my face, on a cooler day I have the air directed at screen and toes, with the driver's window cracked an inch for fresh air inflow to the face.

The idea of A/C draining power is largely untrue. A properly charged aircon system doesn't place a lot of load on the compressor as it is neither trying to compress liquid, nor trying to recycle inadequate amounts of gas. Wind drag from driving with the windows well down, quite possibly chews more fuel.

[ffrenchie]

Aircon also clears the screen quicker when it is fogged up.