Today the air con is blowing hot and cold air. Noticed that when it’s hot the solenoid is not clicking in. Could this solenoid be my problem on previous posts re idle judder and does anyone know how to check the solenoid. Thanks for any help

Whoops maybe it is not a solenoid but a relay !!! Also worth mentioning I made a new post as its a new question - I can delete the old ones if required.

Might be well worth getting it checked out Bob.

Well I went to the aircon man who recons it’s the compressor and whilst changing this should also do the accumulator. I tested the low pressure switch by jumping the connector and the aircon worked again but still juddered as the aircon clutch solenoid clicks in and out. When he tested it he did the same and with slight revs started to check the temp coming out of the vents when a grinding noise occurred and a bit of grey smoke. He recons that the compressor was seizing up and probably causing a strain on the engine when clicking on and off causing the judder. Now this all sounds very expensive and am sure there wont be much change out of $1000 so does anyone think he may be right as past experience for mechanics in the Bay is to throw parts at it till it works at my expense. He is coming back to me with costs later today but wants $250 to fit and service it plus the compressor and the accumulator as this my have metal filings in it. If this is the case why did it work and produce cold air when I shorted out the low pressure switch.

Something worth adding was when he had the pressure tester on he only had the top one connected and the screw cap off the bottom one but no tester connected to it, as he couldn’t get to it. Was the sort of grinding noise and smoke actually gas escaping from the bottom hose because the screw cap was off. Any advice is more than welcome.

An update, I decided to short out the low pressure switch today and did 100k with lovely cold air and then that grinding notice happened once and a bit of smoke out the air vents. Went to another recommended mechanic and he says he has the latest service equipment and test monitors and for $88 I should have a complete service and re gas and lets see what shows up - after all it could just be low pressure causing the compressor to stall when the switch is bypassed. All booked in for tomorrow while I wait - not bad $88 for service and re gas I thought.

When I find the problem I hope it helps someone else – why don’t I just get normal faults !!!!!!

define NORMAL ...... good luck .. & I am taking notes for just in case !

Personally I think the first guy is right I am afraid to say. You don't get grinding noises out of a test hose connection fitting. The cap is to keep the dust out. There is a valve inside that keeps the gas in. I think your $88 gas recharge is going to be a waste of money. For your sake I hope I am wrong.. The idea of the switch to is to protect the system when a fault is detected. By-passing it will make the a/c work again but at a risk of damage. Okay to do as a quick test to see if this is why you do not have the compressor running but driving 100km is only doing more damage. CCPT had a similar problem which was fixed by replacing the compressor. Metal grindings in the accumulator is a valid concern.

As far as I know, the compressor only has 2 auto-switches - one for pressure too low, the other for pressure too high.
If you are low on refrigerant and bypass the shutoff switch, the A/C will work, but the evaprator will probably ice up after a while.
If the A/C works, sure doesn't seem that the compressor is bad.
Have it charged with refrigerant and see.

Had it re gassed and charged again yesterday after replacing the low pressure switch. The compressor comes on but high pressure climbs to 470 in testing before the high pressure switch cuts it out. I know the fan works as it comes on and off when the aircon is not used but didn’t come on in the short few seconds it takes for the pressure to climb so now it is booked in at Leo Muller tomorrow because in the Bay mechanics don’t really know and just keep suggestion parts that MAY cure it.

4.5 hour drive there tomorrow morning so it will be a long day leaving at 3.00 am. Just hope they can mend it on the day and dreading how much it may cost.

Bob whatever it costs it maybe worth it in the long run. Adding parts to TRY and fix it where you live could add up to a lot more than what you'll pay someone who knows what they are doing and hopefully can fix it. Good luck there mate.

Hi Graham

Yep you are right, much better to get the people who know on to it, the only thing that worries me it the cost of dealer parts compared to what we can get them for.

So true but sometimes we have to bite the bullet if we want something to work right.

Bay Cruiser wrote:
Had it re gassed and charged again yesterday after replacing the low pressure switch. The compressor comes on but high pressure climbs to 470 in testing before the high pressure switch cuts it out. I know the fan works as it comes on and off when the aircon is not used but didn’t come on in the short few seconds it takes for the pressure to climb so now it is booked in at Leo Muller tomorrow because in the Bay mechanics don’t really know and just keep suggestion parts that MAY cure it.

4.5 hour drive there tomorrow morning so it will be a long day leaving at 3.00 am. Just hope they can mend it on the day and dreading how much it may cost.

Ever get this sorted? I think they over-charged it with gas.

Really I thought $88 for gas wasn’t bad as it was reduced from $130 obviously we pay a premium in the Bay (who knows why)

Anyway an update Leo Muller reckoned my fan wasn’t working I have low speed but no high and they didn’t have one. Got it rechecked in the Bay and ordered a brand new one from Sam @ Mopar in Melbourne for $500 plus $50 postage to Queensland and it turned up 4 days later with a weekend in the middle. Am due to get it fitted tomorrow by a local guy whom recons it will take an hour. Chrysler wanted $1340 for the fan plus 3 hours labour to fit. Agreed it is not genuine but my genuine one only lasted 4 years and 71k so not impressed with that. Just keeping my fingers crossed this cures my air con problem

Fingers crossed also here that that is the problem Bob. Big difference in costs................MMmmmmmm won't say tooo much on that. i think we all know that some charge more than others, this proves it yet again.

Yep agree Graham, just wished I remembered the UK company - especially when I have used them in the past. Must be an old age thing.