Ka3 a/c glitch

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Mon 23 Sep 2002 20:46
Ka3 a/c glitch - Jase
Hello All,

I'd appreciate some techies input on this problem please.

The car is a '98 Ka3 and has just developed an air con problem. Until recently it was perfect but it ain't getting cold any more!

When I turn on the a/c, the orange light comes on on the button and I can hear the compressor kicking in (or trying to). Then after a couple of seconds I can hear another click and it goes off again. This cycle then continues every 10 seconds or so. Click On Click Off etc..The orange light on the switch remains on all the time. When I turn the a/c off the cycle stops of course.

Any ideas? Could it be a relay or something like that. In my Cavalier, the aircon won't even start if the system is not gassed, so I am guessing that it is probably another problem...

Any advice would be gratefully received as if I can buy a replacement switch or whatever this might stop the sharks at Ford from ripping me off.

Thanks in advance

CavV6 and cavWeb fan.
www.cavweb.co.uk
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Mon 23 Sep 2002 22:51
Ka3 a/c glitch - Blue {P}
It may be caused by too low pressure in the system perhaps?

If you don't wanna go to the dealers, try an air con specialist, they advertise in Autotrader etc. and can recharge a system for around 60 quid, and they do it for a living so they'll know what they're talking about...
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Mon 23 Sep 2002 22:52
Ka3 a/c glitch - Dave N
2 possibilities. Either the low pressure switch is faulty (unlikely), or you have sprung a leak and are now low on gas. The system works differently to your cavalier, as it has a pressure cycling switch to turn the compressor on and off, and low gas causes this to cycle constantly (prior to stopping completely). Your cav had a temp switch on the evaporator to do the cycling.

Get the pressures checked, and this will tell you if it's low gas or faulty switch. You'll probsbly have to get it gassed and dye added, then take it back a few weeks later to look for the leak.
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