Air con inop poss wiring? Possible one for Fred or chip? Lol

[Beasley Clio182]

Right I'm doing my auxiliary belt tensioner in the next couple of weeks but while I'm stripping I want to sort my AC out which doesn't work !

I gassed it up when I had the car and there was no leaks on vacuum test , gassed up okay but I trying I can't here the compressor kicking in or out, which tells me either there's no power to the compressor or the compressor is cracked !

I had a quick look down and couldn't see a think was in a rush so left it ,
What I'm after is how hard is it to get to the wiring ? Can you get to it from below? Or is it harder than that? Second off if I can get to the wiring , what power should I be expecting ? I'm guessing it won't be as simple as a power and earth to the compressor ?

Reason being is if it needs a compressor may as well sort it while the bumper and everything is off ! Rather than doing it twice
Any help would be great , thanks
Dean

 

[MicKPM]

I'm not Fred or Chip but as someone who "dabbles" with these things on a daily basis I'd advise you start with proper conformity session on the A/C system.

It could just be the main connection to the compressor clutch is corroded up and a clean will see it set again but it could also be a faulty pressure switch, actuator relay/circuit or the actual compressor at fault and you can't just guess at those bits. Until you can see what the actual controls are doing and responding to you're going to be ice skating uphill.

Wiring is easily accessible from the arch area when the liners/bumper are removed.

Mick

 

[Beasley Clio182]

I'm not Fred or Chip but as someone who "dabbles" with these things on a daily basis I'd advise you start with proper conformity session on the A/C system.

It could just be the main connection to the compressor clutch is corroded up and a clean will see it set again but it could also be a faulty pressure switch, actuator relay/circuit or the actual compressor at fault and you can't just guess at those bits. Until you can see what the actual controls are doing and responding to you're going to be ice skating uphill.

Wiring is easily accessible from the arch area when the liners/bumper are removed.

Mick

Cheers mick , I appreciate the advise I didn't mean only chip or Fred lol just thought they may have a clue !

Thanks mate , so could I access the wiring without the bumper off ? Ie arch liner out only ? I don't fancy taking the bumper off unless I've got to really ? I see what you mean could be something simple !

If I do have to strip it down anyway any ideas on power to there etc? Should there be a 12v supply and earth ? and any ideas on what wires have each? All I'm thinking is if I have it in pieces may as well check that if I can't find anything !

 

[MicKPM]

I know you didn't and Fred woukd say set it on fire if its got electrical problems of any kind.

You will need small hands to do it without the bumper off but it is possible. The early compressors had a two wire connection (+12v and a perma GND) but the newer units (182's and some late 172's) have a single +12v and they GND via the chassis.

 

[Beasley Clio182]

That's great mines a 04 reg 182 so I'm assuming single power down ! That's awesome thanks so much I've got little Girly hands so no harm in trying first haha !

Thanks again mick appreciate that!

 

[bmh.01]

Take the bumper off, honestly its not difficult and will give you far more easy access to start (carefully!) prodding about.

 

[Beasley Clio182]

Is it much if a job to get it off? I had a quick gander but looked ham shank !