Air Con - Testing Compressor Switched Supply

[Mike_H]

Hi Folks, sorry to raise the dreaded "air con not working" topic again as clearly there has already been much debate & data...however - Ive followed all the info I can see so far (belts/10A fuse/obvious connections etc) but to no avail.

My problem is that the fans blow on all settings, the heater linkages are all in place etc, I get full normal heater controls but no air-con, when I press the air con button the compressor doesn't switch on - I have looked for the switched supply to the compressor clutch and can only see one small black wire attached to the front of the compressor its self - Ive put a meter across this and its dead in all states - I'm assuming this is the feed to the clutch and therefore expecting the clutch to actuate with a 12v feed.

Can anyone help and advise how this feed can be tested to rule out the compressor or clutch being failed - can I simply put 12v to the clutch via this wire?

Thanks

[dandywarhol]

A 12v supply should energise the clutch - are you sure the system is pressurised? No pressure means no supply to the clutch

[mikexgough]

Unplug the brown connector on the drier bottle...... link across the 2 terminals in the connector with some cable ...... then try switching the air con to on...... if the fans run and the compressor clicks then you need a regas...... switch off and replace connector..... regas the system.....

[Mike_H]

Thanks guys - tried the "bridge the brown connector " test & bingo...pump works OK (a BIG relief!) - now do I trust Kwik-fit to regas ...having read the review, I think it safer to find a local specialist

[dave_aber]

Specialist all the way. You know it makes sense.