I've got an 03 Magna TL

My air conditioning was working fine on a hot day for a whole week, but i was driving at 110km/h with the AC on for about 100km and it was working fine, and when i started up the AC again that afternoon, it was just blowing out normal air. Hot air if its a hot day.

I've taken it to a guy, and he says the compressor is faulty, seems the electrical systems are burnt out.

He says a new one would cost about $1100, and a second hand compressor about $600. And he says theres nothing else he can do about it.

Now i'm really quite annoyed about this. And he says its sort of a common problem with Magna's and Astra's

I'm going to take it to a few other AC people, see what they say, and take it to my mechanic to change the compressor if thats what truly wrong with it.

What do you guys think?

Cheers

Could have just blown a fuse? That's happened to me before, not with the AC, but with other things.

mine had the same problem, i got the TX valve replaced under warranty. is ok now

You'll be able to get a second hand compressor for around $50 -$100 from a wreckers i wouldn't pay anymore than that for one as long as thats the problem.Is the compressor cutting in ? it may just be low on gas if it hasn't been serviced regulary (the aircon that is )they have a safety that stops them cutting in when low on gas so they don't run dry.If thats the case a regas should set you back about $80 -$100.Couple of options to think about.

regas should set you back about $80 -$100.Couple of options to think about.

air con systems dont "use" gas.. they are a sealed system.. if its low on gas its looosing gas. regasing will be a temp fix ... it'll just loose the gas again... needs problem fixed if low on gas

air con systems dont "use" gas.. they are a sealed system.. if its low on gas its looosing gas. regasing will be a temp fix ... it'll just loose the gas again... needs problem fixed if low on gas

Disagree.

Airconditioning in cars are not a 100% sealed system.

You have hoses, connections and O rings.

Each year you will lose a certain % of gas, due to vibrations and that not every seal is 100%. Especially not if the system is used intermitently.

http://www.agmaac.com.au/new_page_4.htm

http://www.airchill.net.au/car-air-conditioning-faqs.html#diagnostic

air con systems dont "use" gas.. they are a sealed system.. if its low on gas its looosing gas. regasing will be a temp fix ... it'll just loose the gas again... needs problem fixed if low on gas


Good point i didn't point that out it might a have a leak fix leak first then regas, but i think you will find the gas will slowly go down over time.

I'd suugest trying a different workshop.

Either what your bloke told you doesn't add up to me, or your recollection of it is bit skewed.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's stuff-all electrical in a compressor, isn't there?

There's gonna be the gas pressure switch, as mentioned above - stops compressor running if gas low to avoid seal damage etc.

There's gonna be the switch/whatever to engage/disengage the compressor clutch - either when you switch air-con on, or when cpmfort settings determine if compressor needs to run or not.

The clutch set-up including electrics should be accessible in the hub of the compressor pulley, shouldn't it? possibly fixable with compressor in-car?
Pressure switch - not sure, but surely that's fixable/replaceable?

Bit tired now, but might have a glance through air-con chapter of pdf Workshop Manuals.

Just sounds to me that if it really is "electrics" - no new compressor is required? Someone in the trade getting a bit hungry for dollars?

it is for this reason that I recommend all drivers have or get a basic understanding of the car and its systems - either prior or when negotiating with service folks, you can have at least a little understanding and avoid too much bull****ting...... will post back if I read the Workshop manual tonight

FRom Manual ( I dunno how to cut/paste from PDF's)

<< If the air conditioning does not operate even when the temperature setting is turned to 18degrees C with
the A/C switch ON, possible causes include a blower operation fault or a magnetic clutch power
supply system fault. >>

Probable Cause:
 Blower system fault - YOUR BLOWER WORKS, I BELIEVE?
 Insufficient refrigerant volume - (LOOK at sight glass on receiver/drier with system running, bubbles/white may mean refrigerant is low)
 Magnetic clutch fault - TEST by disconnecting compressor clutch wiring connector, jumper to battery and listen for a "click" to indicate that clutch engages, if no click Clutch needs repair/replacement (not whole compressor).
 Air thermo sensor fault
 Compressor relay fault - CHECK THE RELAY, SWAP FOR A RELAY OF SIMILAR RATING IN THE BOX UNDER BONNET
 Refrigerant temperature switch fault
 Dual pressure switch fault
 Heater water temperature sensor fault
 Harness or connector fault
 A/C-ECU fault

++++++++++++

There is an excellent Troubleshooting Flowchart following the above Summary.

The first thing suggested is to connect a Service Scanner to the port under the steering column and see what air-con error codes come up. Most workshops charge a fair fee to diagnose with the scanner - its an expensive piece of kit and has to pay for itself.

Otherwise try the simple tests I've listed above.

Unless the compressor is stuffed and there's been a breakdown of communication, I think you are being conned. really.

If you can access a copy of the Workshop Manual pdf - I suggest you access it. There are/were links from the Tech Torque forum.

End of my rant - I'm off to bed - early shift tomorrow!!

thanks for the responses guys,

but i wouldn't know the first thing about following that troubleshooting guide

yeah, i'm going to take it to at least 2 other guys and see what they say

the guy explained to me that the motor is fine, which explains the drop in revs

but the compressor isn't 'clicking in' and you dont hear that click. he showed me on an old compressor and pushed in the rotating thing on the end, and saying that it isn't going in

something about the electrical circuits in the compressor being burnt out. and i asked him are you sure and could it be anything else, and he said confidently that he was sure, as he'd been doing it for a while

he said he'll give me 3 months warranty on the second-hand compressor. and i dont quite belive him that they're about $600. he's probably making a tidy profit from that. but i dont know where i would get another one though.

Same deal in a computer shop, sure it could just be one or two components are dead, but much easier to sell you a new computer and just scrap your old one.

Please post in the correct section

Well,

I'd advise trying to take it to a Mitsy Dealer or specialist in Magnas (for QUOTE only), and also to a reputable Auto Air-Con place (If youdon't know who's reputable, try one recommended by RAA, NRMA, RACV).

If he's explained that the clutch electrics are defective, I still cannot see why you need by a complete second-hand compressor. In my mind, its like buying a new engine cos the fan-belts tired.

IF (and I think its a big IF), a replacement compressor is req'd, the $600- is probably a good deal - but that is second-hand, NOT reconditioned - so the same fault could be waiting to happen next wk.

If they change compressoe, they would have to evacuate old refrig gas (at a cost to you), supply a costly part, charge you to fit it, and then fill with new gas (at your cost). Cost, cost, cost, cost = happy service guy.

Ask why the clutch components cannot be repaired/replaced with the compressor in the car.

i have an occasional clunking noise from my clutch assembly and looked into getting this changed before it did anthing to the actual compressor. You cant get the clutch assembly anymore though i found out. The company who made them for mitsubishi stoped it about 1.5 years ago from what i was told. Only option (that i had) is to get one off a used comp or change the compressor unfortunatley. Price i was quoted for a new comp was in the $1,200 mark.