Sprinter 2013 Air Conditioning

[seb303]

The A/C has stopped working on my 2013 516 CDI Sprinter.

I've had the refrigerant changed / topped-up, but this didn't fix the problem. The A/C works if the compressor clutch is powered directly, but it's not being activated by the vehicle. There are no error codes on the diagnostics and all fuses are ok.

I'm not sure what to check next so hoping someone can help?

 

[seb303]

Further info: the Refrigerant Pressure sensor reading is constantly 0 bar in the diagnostics, even when I directly activate the compressor with 12V. For some reason this 0 bar reading doesn't show up as an error code, although I do get an error code if I disconnect the cable to the sensor.

The system does definitely have pressure (was filled yesterday and measured with external gauge). A bad pressure sensor?

 

[M80]

New pressure sensor needed.
Doesn't the LED on the AC switch flash when initiated?

 

[Kev555]

Was going to suggest the same thing as M80 if the system is fully charged. Its the pressure sensor on most vehicles that tells the clutch to engage

 

[seb303]

New pressure sensor needed.
Doesn't the LED on the AC switch flash when initiated?

The AC LED behaves normally - comes on continuously when the button is pressed, goes off automatically if the fan is set to 0.

I had expected a bad pressure reading would cause an error code in the diagnostics (it only shows as an error if the sensor wire is disconnected and then the reading becomes "n/a"), but I guess 0 bar isn't a normal reading even with the compressor off.

Will order a new sensor then. I think I will need to get the gas extracted to change the sensor unfortunately.

Thank you.

 

[M80]

Tbh I don't know if a bad sensor triggers a code.
Could you take your new sensor when gas is being extracted, and then fit, and then re gas?

If you can reset all in the AC, or even ECU, it might be useful.
Our 211 failed to cool till I reset, at ATS, with an iCarsoft V2.

 

[seb303]

My de/re-gas guy is happy to do this around fitting the sensor, so all good here

I have a little Autel MaxiAP AP200 to clear any stored error codes after the sensor has been replaced. Right now there are no errors, stored or current (I already cleared the error which came from disconnecting the sensor cable).

I'd highly recommend the AP200 by the way - costs less that what a lot of places charge to plug in their diagnostics device, and seems very comprehensive in terms of what data it can access (though not sure if it can do more advanced write-operations such as re-coding injectors). It lives in my glovebox!

 

[Kev555]

As M80 said not all vehicles throw a code for a faulty pressure sensor. I know of two that didn't but they were not Mercedes. As long as your diagnostic tool can read the fault codes and pull up all the live data its the most any owner will need unless your handy with the spanners.

 

[seb303]

To follow up on this: got my local tyre place to do an air con 'service' where their machine takes the gas out, cleans the system, then put the gas back in. They charged me £40 and I swapped the pressure sensor while the gas was out.

Now the air con is working perfectly

Thanks a lot for the helpful replies on here.

 

[Kev555]

Thanks for coming back to post the result Seb