My aircon stopped working the other week, :tired: doesnt get cold at all. The radiator fan, and led's on button do come on, Ive had a look under the car and behind center console for loose connections seems fine, fuses are fine. Can also see that there is gas in the cyclinder.

I have had this problem once before right after a service, (they had forgotten to reconnect an air sensor). But i can see anything loose around that area.

Any tips or advice on what could be causing this would be great :happy:

Does the compressor cut in at all when you push the button? If not, the system could be low on gas.

Hang on, how can you see there's gas in the cylinder?? Do you mean bubbles in the sight glass on the receiver/drier?

Ah is that what it is, so I take it thats not where the gas is stored.

If the gas runs low shouldnt I have noticed the aircon slowly getting warmer?

Not really, no.

Have you checked things like that the condenser is not blocked by something (plastic bag, build up of leaves/bugs, etc)?

Can you give a little more info on when your trying to run it i.e. Hot day, in traffic, etc?

Haven't check that, how would i go about checking,
ive tried it on hot and cold days, doesnt make a difference, air con isnt struggling to work, its just not working.
Car is a TL Magna, the aircon was working find one day, and the next it wasnt at all.

Cheers for replies :D

The condenser sits just in front of the Rad (I think lol) so stick ya head in there and have a look for obstructions. But given it's just not working completely, I doubt it's the condenser.

Check that the system is earthed i.e ya switches/sensors, etc

The dash lights show its on, the belt is still there, I can't see any sticks going through the condenser that would have let the gas out, could be a problem with the compressor clutch not engaging? Or a gas leak I didn't see?

stupid question, have you checked the belt?

To check if compressor is engaging simply pop bonnet, have someone start car and when they engage the A/C you should hear a loud click from the A/C compressor as the clutch engages. If there is no click, this probably means there is no gas left in the system and the low gas pressure switch has isolated the compressor. You can double check this if you can locate the low pressure gas switch which usually mounts on or near the drier - you can then short across the terminals on the switch - if the comp then engages that will confirm that the system is low on gas.
Another test is to locate the low pressure gas fill point - it will have a plastic screw-on cover like a Schrader tyre valve - unscrew the cover and press the tit - you should hear a hiss if there is any gas left.

To check if compressor is engaging simply pop bonnet, have someone start car and when they engage the A/C you should hear a loud click from the A/C compressor as the clutch engages. If there is no click, this probably means there is no gas left in the system and the low gas pressure switch has isolated the compressor. You can double check this if you can locate the low pressure gas switch which usually mounts on or near the drier - you can then short across the terminals on the switch - if the comp then engages that will confirm that the system is low on gas.
Another test is to locate the low pressure gas fill point - it will have a plastic screw-on cover like a Schrader tyre valve - unscrew the cover and press the tit - you should hear a hiss if there is any gas left.

Please, whatever you do, DO NOT DO THIS!!!

For starters it's illegal to release the aircon (R134a) refridgerant into the atmosphere. It's also dangerous given that R134a removes the air as it settles i.e. Put your head down to hear it hiss and find yourself choking... And given that if there is any air in the system, it will also hiss, this 'test' will actually do nothing to help fix the issue.

To check the compressor clutch - Pop the bonnet with the car running. Turn on the air-con and give it some revs (while under the bonnet). The clutch will not always engage straight away if certain 'factors' are not met (for example, if it's too cold). But by running the engine, you can increase the ambient air temp around the engine and thus fool the clutch into kicking in.

If you suspect a leak, mix up some soapy water and spray it around the A/C system. Particulary around joins, bends in the piping, etc. If there's a leak, you'll see bubbles forming. Failing that, take it in to get checked. The A/C syste,m is not something you can 'backyard'. Trust me on this, as I've just got my A/C ticket and know all the 'hoops' you have to go through ;-)

I double checked, seems the compressor clutch isnt cutting in, so i guess its low on gas.
Shouldn't the A/C LED's flash if the system is low on gas?

Not 100% sure about that. But the good news is you can take it in and they'll leak test and (if no leaks are found) will re-gas it too for under $200 ;-)

Took it into the mechanics, turns out the electic clutch on the compresser is dead, mechanic said its not worth repairing, and to order +fit +regas a new one would be $1000.

Is it worth getting a second hand one? And can you fit a compressor yourself without losing the gas?

does anyone know if just the clutch part can be swapped over, or is it a permanant part of the compressor unit?

The magnetic clutch front section can be replaced - if you have sufficient access from the front it can be done in-situ. The comp is probably a Sanden, and if so there are instruction on the clutch removal at their site. I've got a link somewhere and I'll post again if I find it.

Edit: here is the linkhttp://www.sanden.com/originals/images/SD_Service_Guide_Rev.2.pdf

I've changed them before although it was on GM comps but they are all pretty much the same.
If you do it in-situ the system will lose no gas and is completely legal for a reasonably knowledgeable DIY person to change. Wreckers sell the bits off comps that are damaged plus Sanden comps are fitted to many different makes so they are not hard to come by.