2002 Diesel Tourer - air pump won't turn off

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

Now I've got to sort out a problem where the climate control isn't working when the car is stationary ...

If you mean that the conditioned air becomes warm, it will be your radiator fan.

- starts to smell bad too.

Apply bactericide to the evaporator. This is something I must do too.

There you go, I've saved you searching!

Simon

[2ndmouse]

Originally Posted by SD1too

If you mean that the conditioned air becomes warm, it will be your radiator fan.

Apply bactericide to the evaporator. This is something I must do too.

There you go, I've saved you searching!

Simon

Hi Simon

Well, I just had the car ticking over for about 15-20mins and the air con was still pumping out cool air and not smelling nasty. However, the engine temp indicator had only moved a little (nowhere near normal running temp).

I'm getting some strange noises though. There's a heavy click sound followed by what I can only describe as a whooping sound and then another heavy click. This happens every couple of minutes.

Do these symptoms ring any bells?

Cheers

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

I'm getting some strange noises though. There's a heavy click sound followed by what I can only describe as a whooping sound and then another heavy click. This happens every couple of minutes. Do these symptoms ring any bells?

Yes Terry. It sounds like your compressor clutch engaging then disengaging due to excessive refrigerant pressure. The cause of that is either a non-functioning radiator fan or an inefficient condenser or both!

The first thing to do is the 'demist' test. Press the windscreen demist button on the air conditioning control panel. Now walk to the radiator grille at the front of the car. Is the fan running? If not, you need to fix it. Whilst you're there, look for a rectangular silver resistor with a wire at each end mounted on the fan shrouding at about the two o' clock position. You may or may not have this, and it will have a bearing upon the repair method.

Simon

[2ndmouse]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Yes Terry. It sounds like your compressor clutch engaging then disengaging due to excessive refrigerant pressure. The cause of that is either a non-functioning radiator fan or an inefficient condenser or both!

The first thing to do is the 'demist' test. Press the windscreen demist button on the air conditioning control panel. Now walk to the radiator grille at the front of the car. Is the fan running? If not, you need to fix it. Whilst you're there, look for a rectangular silver resistor with a wire at each end mounted on the fan shrouding at about the two o' clock position. You may or may not have this, and it will have a bearing upon the repair method.

Simon

Hi Simon

Did the demist test - fan not working - can't see any resistor, although the view through the grill is not perfect.

Thanks for your help so far - what's the next step? Fixing the fan might be beyond my capabilities

Cheers

Terry

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

Did the demist test - fan not working ... - what's the next step? Fixing the fan might be beyond my capabilities ...

It's so nice when the answers to questions and test results are posted straight away!

O.K., if there's no resistor then you have a 3 speed fan. The usual reason for failure is that the motor brushes have worn out, but with the diesel the circuit board in the control box may have failed. Both can be renewed by a keen DIY-er with some electrical knowledge, but the easiest solution is to fit a refurbished 2 speed system which just plugs into your existing car loom. Club member Arctic can probably help you with supplying this. You will have to remove the front bumper and undo a few bolts to get to it, but it's not as frightening as it looks.

Simon

[2ndmouse]

Ok Simon - thanks for that - I'm a complete dunce when it comes to car maintenance, but I'll check out the how-to's before I say it's too big a job for me.

Your help is much appreciated - let's see if I can avoid taking it to my servicer for fixing.

Cheers

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

... let's see if I can avoid taking it to my servicer for fixing.

If you do that, they will fit an MG Rover branded 2 speed system. Apart from having a retail price which will make your eyes water, the supplied silver resistor will ultimately fail and you will have to take the bumper off again. If you don't want to DIY, the best compromise is to get the aforementioned refurbished system from Arctic, complete with uprated 'gold' resistor, and pay your servicer to fit it.

Simon

[2ndmouse]

Having checked out the how-to's and looked at a couple of u-tube vids, I think I'll take up your 2nd suggestion above. Do I contact arctic through his profile?

Regards, and thanks again

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

Do I contact arctic through his profile?

Yes, contact details will be there.

Simon

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by 2ndmouse

Hi Simon

Well, I just had the car ticking over for about 15-20mins and the air con was still pumping out cool air and not smelling nasty. However, the engine temp indicator had only moved a little (nowhere near normal running temp).

I'm getting some strange noises though. There's a heavy click sound followed by what I can only describe as a whooping sound and then another heavy click. This happens every couple of minutes.

Do these symptoms ring any bells?

Cheers

That whooping sound usually means your system is running out of gas. ( Or a dead fan. )


Colvert.