My mum has a 2007 Fiesta zetec and the air conditioning has stopped working. Haven't had air conditioning in a car before and don't know how it works and where the problem could be - hoping someone can explain so I have a knowledge of the system before heading to a garage.

You can hear the clicking noise when the air con button is pressed and intermittently after that the clicking but the air does not cool at all.

She has a 3 year service package with Ford and I don't know if air con is checked at any of these services or if there is a problem with the air con if it would be covered under warranty - again hopefully someone can advise me on this.

Lastly any idea on what price it might cost and should she go to the local Ford garage(who we don't have much confidence in!) or can any garage check out the problem?

Any help much appreciated

Air con should be checked at a service although if it hasnt been it may have ran out, and need re-gassing.

Not sure how long it should last though

Air con should be checked at a service although if it hasnt been it may have ran out, and need re-gassing.

Not sure how long it should last though

This is where it gets confusing for me as my local Ford garage have told me previously with my car(Streetka) that air con does not get checked at any service but surely it should be checked to keep it running correctly - just like them checking tyre depths and oil levels???

according to ford ets .

Every 3 years - Check temperature at the evaporator outlet tube. Check air conditioning lines for damage and leaks

Update on situation!

Air con has been regassed and checked for leaks - none found

Looks like it was because air con was not being used regularly enough, a lesson learned!!!

Air-con needs to be used regularly because there is oil that is used aswell as gas to keep the seals wet. If the seals dry up they tend to shrink allowing the gas to escape.

Air-con needs to be used regularly because there is oil that is used aswell as gas to keep the seals wet. If the seals dry up they tend to shrink allowing the gas to escape.

aircon loses 10% of it's gas per year 70% gas in system is not enough to run A/C

If you use the air con regularly to keep the seals lubricated then there shouldn't ever be a need for a re-gas unless there is a leak.