aircon not working properly

**bg_doyle** · 08-04-2007,03:08 PM

Hi all,
Switched climate control down to lo for the first time since last year but air isn,t cold. Anyone any idea what this might be.
Thanks in advance Brian

**Col** · 08-04-2007,03:18 PM

Most likely needs a re-gas.

Hopefully you hav not developed a leak and you simply require a re-gas as a result of natural wastage of gas through the seals and rubber hoses.

**stuart** · 08-04-2007,05:13 PM

I agree with BigCol, may just need a service on the system.

Stuart

**RickT** · 09-04-2007,12:18 AM

Get it regassed and get them to check for leaks at the same time.. simple task as they use a dye in the gas which they scan the engine bay with a ultravoilet light to see if theres a leak.

RicKT

**bg_doyle** · 09-04-2007,07:25 AM

thanks for that. Does a audi dealer have to do it or are there other places I could go? cheers

**paddymm** · 09-04-2007,11:50 AM

Audi will charge a fortune look in your yellow pages as a lot of the aircon guys will come to you at work or home. You shouldn't pay more than 60 -80 quid. Just remember in future to run your aircon at least once a week to keep the seals lubricated and in contact with the compressor shaft and dont listen to the moaning about how much your fuel consumption will go up as the amount you use extra in fuel is no where near the amount of money you waste having to re gas your system every couple of years.

**Col** · 09-04-2007,12:25 PM

As others have said, with aircon and especially the gas, it is a case of use it or loose it.

You must use it at least once a week to keeo all the seals supple to prevent gas leaks.

Do not go to your main dealer as in most instances they will get a 3rd party in to do it anyway. Go straight to the 3rd party via the yellow pages.

In terms of servicing the aircon system, it is recommended that the reciever / dryer, which acts like a filter for the system is changed periodically but with modern re-charging machines this is achieved by applying a deep vacuum to the system to remove anything that shouldn;t there.

I've also found in recent years that the price of a re-charge has come down a fair bit so expect to pay no more than £60.

**madfella65** · 09-04-2007,02:37 PM

Originally Posted by bg_doyle

Hi all,
Switched climate control down to lo for the first time since last year but air isn,t cold. Anyone any idea what this might be.
Thanks in advance Brian

Brian,

Is your econ light staying on all the time?

Paddy

**RickT** · 09-04-2007,11:25 PM

Originally Posted by paddymm

Just remember in future to run your aircon at least once a week to keep the seals lubricated and in contact with the compressor shaft and dont listen to the moaning about how much your fuel consumption will go up as the amount you use extra in fuel is no where near the amount of money you waste having to re gas your system every couple of years.

In regards to running it once a week.... dont you all keep it on all the time?? I dont know about you guys but i always have mine at 18 to 20'c all year round?? So thre aircon is working most of the time

RicKT

**guyg** · 09-04-2007,11:55 PM

This thread has raised a question in my mind - how does the climate control balance the aircon and hot/cold air when the outside temperature is lower than that required in the cabin?

In past cars I've owned with simple aircon, I always had it permanently switched on. In the winter, I turned the heat up a bit more to compensate so I had warm dry air and the cars never steamed up.

With the climate control, I'm never entirely sure the compressor gets to run when it's cold outside, as the incomming air is cold enough already. This car does have a tendency to steam up more in the winter so I'm a little suspicious.

Does the system cycle the compressor in cold weather or do I need to turn it down to 'LO' occasionally to make sure?

Cheers

Guy