Ford Mondeo III (2000 - 2007) - 05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Sat 24 May 2008 13:24
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - Quinny100
I have a problem with the aircon not working at idle on my car.

The compressor is cycling approximately every 5 seconds when the car is idling - I can hear the click and see the compressor clutch engaging and disengaging. The results in no cold air entering the cabin. The engine bay fan runs when the aircon is turned on.

When the car is moving the air con definitely has some cooling effect, but I'm not sure it is as effective as it should be.

The car has climate control fitted as the air con has very rarely been turned off in the last 2 and a half years I've owned it.

Any ideas what the problem could be?

Edited by Pugugly on 24/05/2008 at 13:33

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 24 May 2008 23:26
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - kithmo
Sounds like typical low on refrigerant symptoms to me.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 25 May 2008 09:43
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - M.M
Have a look at my "Aircon faulty sometimes" thread which I've just updated... it's another possibility.

David
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 25 May 2008 19:06
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - Quinny100
On closer examination today it seems that the engine fan is not kicking in when the A/C is switched on. Lack of airflow over the condenser means no cooling at idle and the compressor cuts out.

It's under warranty until July so I'll book it in to Ford. If their prices are reasonable I pay them to regas it whilst its in.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2008 00:06
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - Quinny100
For the record the problem was eventually traced to a partially blown fuse number F8 in the engine bay fuse box. This is a large 60amp fuse that serves the cooling fan and the glow plugs, part number 4328345.

The fuse was partially blown and was not able to provide sufficient current to power the fan and presumably the glow plugs too. Interestingly I've noticed no ill effects from the glow plugs not being powered.

The dealer were not 100% sure what had caused the fuse to go, but noticed a loose nut on one of the glow plug electrical connectors. If this has been moving it may have been arcing slightly which has damaged the fuse.

I've driven the car for 2 hours tonight and everything seems to be fine. You can actually hear the fan spinning down after the engine has been switched off - it always did this in the past but I'd never missed it.

Unfortunately fuses are not covered under warranty so I had to pay for the diagnosis and part - total cost £43.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2008 00:37
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - Screwloose

Partially blown? Nice phrase; must be like "only a little bit pregnant."

I cannot see a "partially blown" fuse being the cause - a bad connexion on that fuse, maybe... [But then; wiring faults are covered under warranty, aren't they...]
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2008 11:27
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - spikeyhead {p}
I had thought in my 42 years of existence I'd heard every possible piece of male cows excrement available, but we now have a new winner

"PARTIALLY BLOWN FUSE"

I guess they'd already used "circuit protection device failure" already that morning or perhaps they were having a competition at the service desk to see who could get away with the most unbelievable description of a car fault whilst avoiding paying out under warrantee.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 28 Dec 2011 20:24
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - Mr Ford

Hello, has anyone else had this problem?

I seem to have the same symptoms. I've not tried replacing the fuse as I by passed the module and the fan works fine. I've tried another fan module but was the same.

I have 12v going down the big wires to the module and it would seem like a constant earth going down the small wire but no vaults coming out.

Any other ideas please?

Regards,

James.

Edited by Mr Ford on 28/12/2011 at 20:27

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 29 Dec 2011 09:03
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - sirionman

A partially blown fuse, really?

What's the garage and where is it? I just need to know so I can avoid it.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 29 Dec 2011 10:55
05 2.2 TDCI air conditioning problem at idle - jc2

The "partially blown fuse" was in 2008! It'll be 2012 in three days!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide