Aircon problem

[Johnna]

Hi everyone
I need help with an aircon on an Opel Corsa (mini 4x4). This morning the aircon just stopped working.
I filled gas about 4 months ago, fuses fine, the compressor kicks in (I hear it click in and can hear it working, I can also can feel the extra load on the motor), the pressure appears fine (tried bridging it, but compressor wouldn't kick in if it was faulty) It does and acts exactly as it should but the air coming out is hot
Any advice?

[biltong]

It might be a stuck expansion valve or a blocker drier, but the compressor should then kick out on HP quickly.

[Johnna]

Hi Biltong, no as I say it just keeps pumping

[biltong]

Is there air that comes out of the grilles exactly the same temp as what it sucks in at the fan, or at least a few degrees cooler?

[Johnna]

It actually feels warmer

[biltong]

Impossible. Same temp or lower is all it can be. You need to measure with a accurate thermometer and make sure the system is set to recirculate air from the cabin - unless you have a stuck heater box.

[Mad Manny]

? try turning the tempreture down from hot to cold

[Johnna]

It is set to reticulate. When I switch the aircon switch on when the dashfan is off it starts to blow alittle out of the vents, that air is also warm. I don't have a themometer but the air coming out is no cooler than the normal fan

[Johnna]

yes, I set hot and cold a few times to make sure there wasn't a problem with the selector, Heater comes on when set to hot (and man could I feel it today!) but cold is no better than the fan

[Johnna]

Just as a matter of interest, when I switch the aircon on, the radiator fan switches on automatically, is it that supposed to happen or has someone messed with the wiring? Also for a while when I switched the aircon on, the pump would kick in and out a few times before stabilizing. when it kicked in and out you could feel it affect the power of the car and the actual aircon light would switch on and off (and stay on when it stabilized). Any thoughts.

[biltong]

Then you should work through all the safeties one by one. It sounds to me like you have lost most of the refrigerant, or as said before a stuck expansion valve or blocked drier.

[biltong]

Just as a matter of interest, when I switch the aircon on, the radiator fan switches on automatically, is it that supposed to happen or has someone messed with the wiring?

Could be perfectly normal.

Also for a while when I switched the aircon on, the pump would kick in and out a few times before stabilizing.

This does not sound nice. Again. I then suspect low refrigerant charge.

[Johnna]

Thanks allot for the help Biltong so my first port of call is refrigerant, possibly a leak? What was a bit suspect was when I removed the pressure switch wire, the compressor still stays on? Maybe refrigerant is low and pressure switch is stuck? Possibly a leak in te system?
Once again, thanks Biltong

[Botswana]

Have you felt the aircon compressor lines where they connect to the aircon pump? The pressure line (the one going to the cab) should be much colder than the one coming from the condensor.

[biltong]

If you remove the pressure switch, the compressor MUST stop.

Leak is then very likely. Make sure you get a good techie and have patience. Finding a refrigerant leak first time is not easy - especially in a car.

[Johnna]

Hi Botswana, I felt the pipes and they are not getting cold, will do Biltong, thanks