A/C Compressor cut-off

[Kelv27]

To all you a/c experts out though..

I'm sure many of you would have experienced the a/c compressor cutting out when in traffic during a blazing hot day. Air gets cool again once on the move.

From my understanding, theres a switch that controls the compressor and cuts it off when it reaches a certain temperature. My question is...is there a way around this? My thoughts is to by-pass this switch somehow..but at the same time, I wouldn't want to cook the compressor..

[ognam]

move back to glasgow

problem gone

[bravosx]

If you bypass the switch that would mean your compressor will continuosly work non-stop - correct me if I am wrong. This would definitely cook your compressor. Not only that, you'd also freeze the whole system when doing long distance travel. This is the problem I am facing with my Bravo. And noone seems to know how to fix it as original components are not in place to fix it back to original set up.

[Kelv27]

move back to glasgow

problem gone

bugger ognam

Thats a costly solution.

[Kelv27]

If you bypass the switch that would mean your compressor will continuosly work non-stop - correct me if I am wrong. This would definitely cook your compressor. Not only that, you'd also freeze the whole system when doing long distance travel. This is the problem I am facing with my Bravo. And noone seems to know how to fix it as original components are not in place to fix it back to original set up.

My thoughts exactly Brian. How do more modern cars cope with this? Maybe a higher temp switch can be installed? ..or a manual switch?

[bravosx]

The original set up would be to only cut off when you're accelerating from standstill right? How long would it take before the compressor kicks back on?

[Kelv27]

Depends on how fast you are going. The faster you go, the cooler it gets.

[DeaDLocK]

move back to glasgow

problem gone

Yah, what he said. Bugger off.



Call me for next mamak session!

My car has only ever cut out when there was something wrong (I've had a burnt fan connector and a melted fuse). At all other times, even when blazing hot, the compressor keeps pushing cold air. Sure all is okay?

[Kelv27]

Boy you guys are a real friendly and polite bunch. Ask for opinions then kena halau pulak

Call you for mamak also don't show up.. What's the point. Probably too busy drooling on your bolster

Probably right.. Think there's a tendency for it to cut out more when it's low on gas. Problem is, they can never find the source of the leak.

[bravosx]

Probably right.. Think there's a tendency for it to cut out more when it's low on gas. Problem is, they can never find the source of the leak.

Get them to pump in the dye into the system. For sure you can find a leak somewhere........unless it's the dreaded cooling coil.

[Kelv27]

Nooo not the cooling coil!!

So far they've only been using the beeping gas detector. Thanks Brian.. Will enquire on the dye method of diagnostics.

[Pangmy3]

i just know if want to get cool just can add i more fan at the A/C condenser.but for coupe already no place.and the car have FMIC well block the air also.so no choice...

[Kelv27]

When traffic jam, you kipas-kipas my engine bay la Pang. I now pronounce you... Pengapit for my car

[Pangmy3]

[RASS]

im no aircond expert but, If theres no leak then you might want to set both fan to run on high speed. Thats what my car previous owner did. So far ok, I'm getting cold air even on standstill hot day traffic.

[Pangmy3]

im no aircond expert but, If theres no leak then you might want to set both fan to run on high speed. Thats what my car previous owner did. So far ok, I'm getting cold air even on standstill hot day traffic.

How to set n where u send mod??

[RASS]

Pang, this was done by the previous owner, but any aircond guy who familiar with the coupe can do it for you.

[ognam]

What Rass mentioned is probably a direct feed to the fan via a relay that's activated when the compressor is switched on. Problem with this is, your engine temp might get too low when you're cruising at night. Nothing wrong with this. Just consume more fuel.

But in Kelv's case, not sure if this would help. Does the rad fan actually help in cooling down the compressor?

[RASS]

Ognam is rite yup my engine temperature do max at 70 degree or 80 degree only during the day.

Ognam, please correct me if I'm wrong ...doesn't the fan also cools the air on the cooling coil as we'll? So if they are set on high speed then it will help the compressor to cools the air as well rite? So this means less stress on the compressor.

[Kelv27]

Yes the fan does cool the cooling coil and also does help with under bonnet temperatures (and thus cool the compressor to a certain extent).

I've seen alot of coupes here running with relays, but as what Ognam has mentioned, this messes with the water temps and in return cause rich running.. as temps are linked electronically to the ECU. A stock setup runs with a ceramic resistor which controls the high speed Fan when it comes to temperature.

[raitag]

kelv, the relay is original from FIAT... probably a quick solution to our hot weather...

for me, the coupe's aircond is just not capable to cool me in traffic jams during hot sunny day... it's blowing cool air alright but not cool enuf... checked the gas, seems ok... asked emech and he said the compressor is small... too small for our hot climate... but i believe the main issue is the condensor is too small... and the fan is not pulling enuf air to cool the gases in the condensor during stand still... i dunno if can find bigger condensor or a higher efficiency one... but if yes, i'm willing to try... and probably put a f*cking big fan that can suck higher air volume through the condensor+radiator+intercooler....

[raitag]

forget abt cooling the compressor.... it's designed to get that hot... if it need air cooling, they'd put fins around the body... and also thinking of using finned tubes for the pipes after the compressor... but not quite possible to get... unless specially made i guess....

so, can we all look for a high efficiency condensor? how high i also dunno... anything better than our stock will do....

[RASS]

Yup the fans relay in my car is the original ceramic relay, so everything still std. Great! Now I have no idea how I'm getting cold air during standstill traffic!?

Like raitag has mentioned, it might be a good idea if we can find maybe bigger or more efficient condenser. Is it possible to custome made the condenser or modify the pipe that goes to the condenser so that we can use other type or size of condenser of other makes?

[raitag]

yup... need to confirm the size la...maybe ur condensor not standard?

[stereotypical]

maybe this can help..............

cabut.....

[pistole]

- aiyah !! Haha !

.

[Kelv27]

kelv, the relay is original from FIAT... probably a quick solution to our hot weather...

for me, the coupe's aircond is just not capable to cool me in traffic jams during hot sunny day... it's blowing cool air alright but not cool enuf... checked the gas, seems ok... asked emech and he said the compressor is small... too small for our hot climate... but i believe the main issue is the condensor is too small... and the fan is not pulling enuf air to cool the gases in the condensor during stand still... i dunno if can find bigger condensor or a higher efficiency one... but if yes, i'm willing to try... and probably put a f*cking big fan that can suck higher air volume through the condensor+radiator+intercooler....

Are you sure? Maybe it was installed by Torino as i cannot understand why Fiat would do the relay thing without taking into consideration its effect on fueling?

I'm game for a bigger cooling coil option too..if its possible.

[raitag]

got to check the manual again... where's that CD...

[nilocwng]

.....Problem is, they can never find the source of the leak.

Check the short u-shaped rubber section coming out from the compressor near the radiator.
With age the rubber degrades and caused very small leaks.
Jool aircond found this on my car recently.
Alvin modified that section and now all's good.

[Kelv27]

Colin..the u-shaped rubber is the water hose..no?

[raitag]

nope... that's the aircond hose... the one that runs on top of the radiator...

[Kelv27]

Oh that one..mines been replaced.

[gtfan]

Got group buy for compressor ah.....

I can't tahan my compressor noise above 4000rpm.

I have no aircon issue. Cold during idling or afternoon. Only shite part is some wooooo noise from the compressor when my rev is above 4k. A bitch when i wanna cruise above that rpm.

[RASS]

Yeah, why not..if grp buy price very good ..im in.

[Jacky]

correct me if I am wrong, if the A/C compressor never cut-off, the radiator fans will run high speed at all the time. I believe this would decrease the lifespan for the compressor&fans. Another thing I observed was, if your A/C doesnt have enough gas, the high speed fan won't spin.

[Kelv27]

From what I know, when the compressor has no gas, the compressor won't run. Not the fan.

[raitag]

compressor has a pressure switch. low pressure, switch no open... so, compressor will not run... if compressor never cut-off, during a drive, your cooling coil will be icing... u can smell it and low or no blower... u'll need to let outside air in to thaw the ice on the cooling coil...not recommended but one of the easy fix for aircond not cold complaint...

[enrick]

Got group buy for compressor ah.....

I can't tahan my compressor noise above 4000rpm.

I have no aircon issue. Cold during idling or afternoon. Only shite part is some wooooo noise from the compressor when my rev is above 4k. A bitch when i wanna cruise above that rpm.

There is an online site selling FrigAir compressor for the Coupe for 304.50 Euros. Shipping is 95 Euros for up to 18 units. Import Duty 30%. That works out to MYR$ 1.7k /pc. Still cheaper compared to an ori denso unit. Cheaper still if import via singapore.

[Kelv27]

Enrick, how much is a new Denso unit here?

[enrick]

It was MYR$1.9k 4 years ago when I replaced mine. Not sure now.

[extercy]

I know this is old but just came across it.
Compressor will cut off not only if low on gas but also if too much gas. It must be just the right amount.
Most heater coil in the Alfas and Coupe has been removed or disconnected.. not sure if you have done this. If not then it could be the culprit for hotter air.
I noticed many Coupes and Alfas did not change the dryer/filter which has a lifespan. Expansion can be an issue also due to wear and tear.
I don't have a diagram of the Coupe Aircond system in hand so hard for me to comment.

Curious to know. In Glasgow :
1) What is the average ambient outdoor temp like ?
2) Is your Aircond cooler than now with the same setting ?
3) Is your Oil and Coolant temp the same or cooler ?

I want to do a comparison with my 155 that is running a radiator misting system. On hot days where my Aircond is not cold, I will activate the misting system and my Aircond will cool down but not to freezing cold as my aircond has been modified by the previous fu*$#d up owner. This will hence drop the coolant temperature slightly i.e from dead on 90 deg to 88deg.. a hair lower temp.
My friend's Toyota Altis is really cold so unless we can compare components to components, can't really tell if our aircond system is inadequate.

[Kelv27]

Interesting. Didn't know too much gas would cut it off too. I guess it makes sense..since too much gas would mean over-pressurizing the system.

1) What is the average ambient outdoor temp like ?
Haha..depends on the season. All I can say is heater is more important than aircond!

2) Is your Aircond cooler than now with the same setting ?
As above..i rarely use the aircond!

3) Is your Oil and Coolant temp the same or cooler ?
The same.

Ok..alot has been done since my first post. Aircond compressor has been cutting out mainly due to the fans being erratic. Traced it down to the fan resistor. I have since by-passed it so the fan runs instantly and its been fine ever since.

[extercy]

Good to know that it is solve.. too bad I could not confirm my data

Yeah.. an aircond specialist in Damansara Utama told me this in the past.. too low gas or too much gas is no good. But also an interesting thing that my mechanic, Monster Motor Works, told me, is to top up the compressor oil every 2 years or so. This is due to our engine being very hot in tropical climates and the compressor is located to close to the engine. So whether aircond cold or not, I practice what he told me. He has seen some compressors die off due to low/no compressor oil... this applies to Coupes more than Alfas.

[desin]

okay, i'm NOT aircon expert, but I'll share my experiences...

compressor cut-off
1. bad connector. <that was maybe three years back story?>
-symptom, compressor will randomly on-off by itself, move the 'black' wire, compressor kick it.
-check the connector, my case, it cracked. it can easily replace to new connector

2. thermal switch spoil <that was maybe two years back story?>
-symptom, compressor will randomly on-off by itself, move the 'black' wire, nothing happen.
-found that thermal thermal spoiled, it's located ON TOP of the compressor, trace the wire u'll able to find it. there's ONLY one wire on top of the compressor, that will lead to thermal switch.
-how to test if the thermal switch give u problem?
**please test it during compressor still in normal temperature, because it's a thermal switch, it meant to cut of when it's HOT!
---to by pass the thermal switch. use a wire connect the other wires together. IF the compressor able to kick in, mean thermal switch spoil.
-replace it, problem solved.
**NO POINT to by-pass the thermal switch, it will lead more problem.. just replace it, it's CHEAP!!!!!!! err.... i think i got mine around rm50 for a used unit.

3. too low gas <maybe last year story?>
-symptom, in car cabin, u'll able to hear 'sshhhhh...shhhh...' when the compressor kick in.
-it will auto cut-off very often especially when u are in traffic jam! or when the car is not moving!
-check the gas, or refill aircon gas, replace aircon oil, problem solved it.

*the auto-refill digital gas machine will auto check the gas density, and refill the gas based on specification. so.. don't need to worry over-fill or under-fill.

FYI, my car is almost 192,000km and my compressor still super healthy, compressor compression still VERY good, get a professional aircon service mechanic, they will able to tell u how is your compressor condition base on the pressure meter.

*sorry for my poor english, hope it helps.

[Kelv27]

Good troubleshooting list desin.

[puchongbala]

From my limited experience, this is wot I have learnt:

1) If blower starts intermittently blowing hot air & ye notice that the temp gauge going above the usual 90c mark, it is possible that there is a tiny leak somewhere allowing the aircon gas to escape in small amounts. This incorrect pressure will stop the aircon fan from operating. Depending on the severity of the leak, you will experience a/c blow hot & cold, not neccessarily when the car is idle or caught in a jam.

2) Check yer a/c fuse. Yet another item which tend to lebur extra fast due to a comination of Coupe's hot engine bay & our baking HOT weather. Change to a bigger fuse & probably good practice to chuck it out annually/18 months.

3) If blower & a/c completely off, as in nothing, zilcho, no sound, no air (hot or cold), the socket has come loose (where from I don't know, mech just told it has been reattached & all is fine).