Hi,
On two occasions over the past week the LCD climate control display has started to flash continuously on and off at regular intervals. I've looked in the car's manual and online but can't find the explanation for this. Is this telling me some type of fault with the A/C?
Many thanks in advance for any replies.
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Low gas pressure I think!!
FTF
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Hi FTF,
I had the car serviced in late July, I'll double check with the mechanic tomorrow to see if he checked the aircon gas but knowing him if he had and it was low he would of advised.
Many thanks for your reply, hopefully someone out there knows what this flashing means for definite! :-)
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I think you will find that the flashing display for low gas pressure only applies to the Galaxy model (and similar Vag variants).Does the system function correctly and does the display flash a normal display or a 4-digit code?hth
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Hi there,
The system functions correctly, all display settings are shown correctly e.t.c. I wouldn't say the aircon is ice cold but cold enough. The display flashes a normal display intermittently and regularly (not like a faulty LCD). On the occasions it's done this it normally goes back to normal if I've turned the engine off, parked up and returned to the car later.
I'm hoping it's just low on gas.
Many thanks,
Nial
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Nial, as per the above post by the Doctor, if he is right then my reply is misleading because it was based on experience on a Galaxy/VAG variant.
Don't think that low gas is a preferred option though - it depends in whether there is a leak and where it is!!
FTF
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No probs FTF. I saw a post elsewhere saying this is what the flashing LCD means on a Ford Galaxy. Even though the system seems to be working fine it looks like I need to get it inspected for any faults. Can anyone recommend a car aircon specialist in the central London area? Of course, if anyone knows what the flashing LCD actually means, please let me know.
Many thanks.
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The lcd climate panel should not flash at all ,except if it is in the diagnostic mode.Are any of the function buttons stuck in?you could try disconnecting the battery for 5 mins to see if that clears the system. How far are you from Woking?try these people.hth
www.readerair.co.uk/
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Hi hth,
None of the buttons seem to be stuck in. I'll have another good look tomorrow in the daylight and disconnect the battery. The car had a major service in mid July and I wonder if the battery was disconnected then and has left a 'bug' in the C/C system. (excuse my lack of car electric knowledge if that sounded stoopid!)
Many thanks for the recommendation. I'm sure it needs a service anyway and Woking isn't a mega trek for a recommended repairer. I'm guessing you're in the business yourself, going on your username :-)
Many thanks again.
Nial
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Hi Nial, try and post bacxk with the outcome.
All the best.
FTF
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Hi FTF,
Will do. Spoke to my mechanic and he said to drop it in to hook it up to the machine to read for any faults recorded. Still hoping someone might know what it means if the flashing is a standard 'fault indicator'
Will let you know the outcome.
Cheers
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When my 05 Mondy had its annual Ford service this year, they recommended a re-gas of the CC. I rejected this as it seems to be pefectly fine to me and the cars has covered 33K miles since new.
But they said CC is a 'service item', and you can expect to keep paying for the benefits of being cool, as well as the petrol of course.
So it is strange that the gargae ( was it a Ford dealer?) has never suggested this to you?
But anyway, looks as if you have had 6 years of cooling on one charge of gas!
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Hi TurboD,
Thanks for the info. Nice to know what a Ford dealership suggests in terms of Aircon servicing. I've only owned the car since last Dec. It's an early 2003 ghia auto model on 70,000 miles. The car was serviced by my reputable and much loved indie in July and had a major service with a couple of little extra things that needed sorting (Brake pads, Belt replacement). I contacted the mechanic and he said he didn't check the aircon. He picked up low gas on a previous car so I think he probably just checks to see if it's working okay and to see if it's blowing cold or not.
Is checking the air conditioning system a normal servicing procedure?
After a few 'Google' searches it seems that maybe my C/C is sometimes trying to go into 'Self Diagnostic' mode and may just have a bug in the system. The buttons aren't sticking. I'm going to try disconnecting the battery to clear it and my mechanic suggests bringing it in so he can hook it up to see if there are any fault codes.
Cheers for your info.
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Yep if the display is flashing, its either a bad connection or somehow its got into self diagnostic mode, here are the instructions from the manual to read the fault code.
The climate control system features a self-diagnosis function which can detect and store both current permanent faults as well as intermittent faults which have occurred during normal operation of the vehicle. It is also possible to read out these faults via the display of the EATC (Electronic Air Temp Control) module.
Read-out of current faults
On the EATC module, briefly press the "OFF" and "FOOTWELL" buttons simultaneously, then press "AUTO" within 2 seconds. The self-diagnosis which then starts lasts a few seconds. An animated display appears during this time in the EATC display. Any faults found are displayed in the form of trouble codes. Example: First of all, "12" flashes for 2 seconds, then "51" flashes for 2 seconds - DTC B1251. If no faults are stored, then all of the segments in the display are actuated. The following table gives information on the possible DTCs and their corresponding meanings. Diagnosis mode can be stopped at any time by PRESSING any button on the EATC module.
Read-out of intermittent faults
On the EATC module, briefly press the "OFF" and "FOOTWELL" buttons simultaneously, then press "FACE LEVEL" within 2 seconds. Any stored intermittent faults are output on the EATC display and should be noted for safety reasons. By PRESSING the "DEFROST" button, the fault memory is cleared and diagnosis mode is ended. To end diagnosis mode without clearing the DTCs, PRESS any other button on the EATC module.
Let me know what fault code you have and I'll look it up on the list.
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Hi Rich,
Many thanks for that. I did come across that self-diagnosis guide on another forum but it had said hold the 'OFF' and "FOOTWELL' buttons for a minimum of two seconds. That'll explain why it didn't work, when I had tried before, but worked from your description! :-)
No fault codes were flashed as it went animated and then all segments of the display stayed on until I ended the diagnosis. This happened for both the 'intermittent' and 'current' diagnosis.
I also pressed 'DEFROST' to clear the fault memory, like you said.
When you come out of the diagnostic setting it seems like the C/C re-sets itself as it came back on showing a different temp setting. Maybe this has cleared any 'bugs' and cure the display flashing problem.
When it flashes it is not random, like a loose connection, but like how a display flashes when you are 'setting the clock' If you know what I mean! ;-)
If the problem reappears I'll drop it into my mechanic to get him to hook it up to read any faults.
Many thanks again.
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If anyone is interested, it looks like clearing the fault memory has stopped the display flashing. Have had a couple of long trips recently and all has been fine. Fingers crossed!
Many thanks once again for everyones advice!
Nial
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