Air Conditioner Turning off

ner

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Hello Guys,

The air conditioner in my C230K is having problems. I usually use the Auto option and set the tempearture at 72F. sometimes it refuses to start, and turns off automatically even though the temperature is way above 72.
i keep turning it on and it turns off in seconds.
when it is doing this, i use the manual ac and i get no cool air at all..
this has been hapenning very frequently lately.
does this mean the ac is damaged?

Many thanks.
 

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The AC system turns itself off when it is out of gas, if you have the bonnet open with the engine running and an able assistant pressing the AC button you should be able to see the compressor starting and stopping. If there is no gas the compressor won't start so the AC won't stay on.
Find an AC specialist in your area and have them run a check on it, you may have a condenser fault or just an age related leak.
 
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ner

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I agree with you, but the problem is that it doesnt always do this.
if it were out of gas it wouldnt be able to operate at any time, but what us hapenning wih me is that it sometimes operates well and sometimes do this turn off thing..
 

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My own findings when the gas is low,,is that the unit will operate on days when it is not so warm,but refuse to run when very hot outside
 

Wirral_guy

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My own findings when the gas is low,,is that the unit will operate on days when it is not so warm,but refuse to run when very hot outside

I agree with Malcolm. I has a Mondeo (some years ago now) that did just that. I spent ages trying to work out why it was an intermittent fault (clutch failing, sticking valve etc) but in the end it just needed a top-up. Worked great after that.

Dave
 

cleverdicky

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My own findings when the gas is low, is that the unit will operate on days when it is not so warm,but refuse to run when very hot outside

Sounds like it's cycling on the pressure switch, and yes possibly very short of gas but from what you say, I'd put money on it being a blocked condenser coil or faulty fan.

The thing with refrigerant is it varies pressures and state ie liquid or gas even vapor. Refrigerant is pressure / temperature sensitive. i.e. higher temperature = higher pressure. And then most of its in a gas state before it can do any work. If it runs OK when ambient's cold pressures not too high. When its hot pressures through the roof tripping the HP switch.
You need to get some gauges on to be sure, but check the fan/s and give the condenser coil an rad a good blasting with a hose or jet wash. Might need bumper off though ???
If you want to do a rough test leave a hose trickling over the condenser while AC running on a hot day to cool it. You may get wet but you'll soon know.
 
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ner

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I'm not sure whether it is one of the mentioned options.
This turning off things doenst necessarily happen at high ambient temperature. but when it happens if i keep on trying prssing the auto button again it eventually turns on after several tries..
sometimes i dont need any try, sometimes it takes only a few, and sometimes it takes around 7 times..
I am kind of sure it is not a gas problem otherwise it wouldnt be able to perform at all..
cleverdicky's suggestion makes a lot of sense though.. but am still confused..
Cleverdicky, is what i just mentioned agree with your suggestion?
 

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Find some one with a star to see whats going on while its running!!
 

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If you can see (read) the pressure and other faults on the fly from star fantastic. (I've never seen one work)
It might JUST be an electrical fault like a loose wire / plug. Check the little wires in the end of the pressure switch bottom of the condenser. Give 'em a wiggle while ac on.
Good luck still
 

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