aircon clutch not working

[nivek24]

My daughter has bought this 2014 fiesta 1.25, the aircon does not seem to be working. Switching it on the fans kicks in but the clutch on the unit does not, checked the fuse and relay seems ok. If the system had lost all its gas, would this stop the aircon clutch from kicking in. I ask this because it looks like it has had a new radiator and  new aircon pipes. 

 

[Gizza11]

32 minutes ago, nivek24 said:

If the system had lost all its gas, would this stop the aircon clutch from kicking in

Yes it would it's likely that your gas is low not completely gone not enough to pressurise the system fully to fire up properly the fans can work ok but the clutch won't engage. Try a gas check at your local garage that does re gas they will also be able to tell you if you have a leak somewhere. If the air con has not been used for a good while then its probably just a re gas. Just remember to turn it on now and then  this seams to help keeping the gas longer. Its a common thing for the gas to disappear after a time.

[nivek24]

Thanks for that Gizza , i will take it to the garage that does aircon and ask them to check for leaks, all been well its just a regas

thanks, kev

[Luke4efc]

I've said this many times before. Refrigerant doesn't just disappear, there will be a leak somewhere, however small!

[nivek24]

Luke, i think it may not have ANY gas in it, as i said in the post it looks like a new radiator and aircon pipes have been fitted.

thanks

[Luke4efc]

Ah ok my bad. Have you any paperwork from Ford to say the replacements have been fitted by them? Only asking because I doubt they would replace parts, then not fill it with refrigerant again. Also it might be covered under warranty from them. 

In a way I kind of hope you find a leak, at least then you know why it isn't working compared to just taking a change filling it again.

[GingerFlame]

If the system isn't used for ages (I have friends that literally use it one day a year and wonder why it doesn't work) the seals gradually dry out as the gas has lubricating properties or something along that line. Had a local air-con specialist explain it all when I had issues, turned out the relay boxhad managed to fill up with water and corroded the relay itself 

 

Although if it's had new parts it's possible they were badly fitted and its leaked out or just never refilled

[Gizza11]

On ‎14‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 8:44 PM, Luke4efc said:

I've said this many times before. Refrigerant doesn't just disappear, there will be a leak somewhere, however small!

Absolutely true What I should have said as below my bad

 

1 hour ago, GingerFlame said:

If the system isn't used for ages (I have friends that literally use it one day a year and wonder why it doesn't work) the seals gradually dry out

 

[nivek24]

Hello, my daughters only had the car for 2 weeks and after looking a bit more into it, it's had a few new bits fitted.

 I don't think the last owner bothered filling the aircon after he or someone did the repairs, he sold it as it was.

Going to get to an aircon garage and get it checked.

Also she does not have the radio code, it is working ok for now but can you get the code from it on the screen by any chance or is it a ford dealer visit

thanks,

 

[Jethro_Tull]

On 2017-5-14 at 8:44 PM, Luke4efc said:

I've said this many times before. Refrigerant doesn't just disappear, there will be a leak somewhere, however small!

Refrigerant seeps out through the seals.  Regular use, at least ten minutes a week, circulates the refrigerant and conditioning oil and slows this process right down.  Unless the system has physically failed at some point it is quite possible for refrigerant to simply seep away through the material of the seals, particularly on little used systems.

 

So in essence it can just disappear without there being an actual leak.

[Stoney871]

Also she does not have the radio code, it is working ok for now but can you get the code from it on the screen by any chance or is it a ford dealer visit
thanks,
 

The radio doesn't need a code.
Since Ford started fitting more integrated systems the likelihood of radio theft has vastly reduced.


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[nivek24]

5 hours ago, Stoney871 said:

The radio doesn't need a code.
Since Ford started fitting more integrated systems the likelihood of radio theft has vastly reduced.


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 

Thats good news, thanks for that Stoney.