P38A Access to aircon compressor

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Morning.
Looking for any advice on the easiest route to get to the aircon compressor clutch. I'm going to attempt to remove the shim to try and fire the clutch into action later today. Everything else has been checked, no leaks, gas full but the clutch isn't engaging, so as a next step, though it might only last for a while, the accepted option seems to be to remove the shim to give the clutch a chance to engage.
But the whole thing us buried and only just visible. Any one been in there before and know a quick route in..?
2.5 Diesel. Manual 1997.

wammers · Aug 28, 2017

First of all check it is being powered.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

wammers said:
First of all check it is being powered.

Thankyou Sir,
This was one my options when I was looking to get at it. I understand that I need to connect a direct battery source to the unit at the plug. Forgive me I'm not a sparky in any way, so it might just be a twin cable and a spare battery. Would that work..?

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

wammers said:
First of all check it is being powered.

+1. It's powered from the dual pressure switch. I think its green white but you will have to check on Rave , power is granted via the Hevac unit to the d/pressure sw then on to the compressor. If you run a direct feed to the appropriate wire you should hear the clutch click.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

HI,
Thanks for that, as we speak I'm just looking through the pages on Rave... looking to locate appropriate switches,

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

Raise car and use an axle stand. Lie down and look n/s front behind the bumper towards the wheel arch and you should see the single and dual pressure switches.

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

If you take the grill off you can feed the connector through to the front for better access.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Thanks for this, big help here. Found it from underneath so now Ive pulled the plug, now trying to find a wiring diagram on Rave. to find the correct line to the compressor. No listing on the index for Aircon wiring.

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

I take it you have checked fuse's 8 and 17.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Nobody move.... Yes just checked all OK. If only..

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

Bagshot said:
Nobody move.... Yes just checked all OK. If only..

Im working from memory, very dangerous I know, but the wire from the connector to the compressor is white/ green. Run a wire from the + on the battery and poke it into each pin on the connector, one will run the fans and another will make the clutch click. The third will be + from the Hevac.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Cheers.. running out the door now..

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Right, first hole sparked back at me..oops. Second hole definately moved the clutch in and out. So any suggestions next..

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Thinking..does this mean I will have to bypass the switch with a live feed to engage the clutch permanently .?

wammers · Aug 28, 2017

Bagshot said:
Thinking..does this mean I will have to bypass the switch with a live feed to engage the clutch permanently .?

Why would you want to engage the clutch permanently?

tomcat59alan · Aug 28, 2017

Bagshot said:
Right, first hole sparked back at me..oops. Second hole definately moved the clutch in and out. So any suggestions next..

No, all that means is that you have continuity between the connector and the compressor. The sparking was probably the fan pin, do they spin or are they seized? The other is the + from the Hevac, do you have live at that pin. If not its granted from pin 7 at connector c244 up to 97 ym or c0792 from99 onwards on the Hevac.check Rave for location.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

Hi All, first many thanks for this help on a bank holiday. I have linked the compressor clutch to the permanent live and the clutch engaged for the first time ever and with the engine running the Air con started to cool at last, though the fault book came up, so didnt want to run it for too long linked up like this. The fans definately run with the other plug hole linked attached.
I am happy to permanently link the clutch like this but... is it going to cause long term damage. I am getting the feeling that the compressor is not at its best anyway, but what about the rest of those precious electronics that might get the hump later on..
Got a 1k round trip coming up this week, so Mrs Bagshot would be more than pleased if she could keep that temperature down.

wammers · Aug 28, 2017

Bagshot said:
Hi All, first many thanks for this help on a bank holiday. I have linked the compressor clutch to the permanent live and the clutch engaged for the first time ever and with the engine running the Air con started to cool at last, though the fault book came up, so didnt want to run it for too long linked up like this. The fans definately run with the other plug hole linked attached.
I am happy to permanently link the clutch like this but... is it going to cause long term damage. I am getting the feeling that the compressor is not at its best anyway, but what about the rest of those precious electronics that might get the hump later on..
Got a 1k round trip coming up this week, so Mrs Bagshot would be more than pleased if she could keep that temperature down.

Unless you want to blow the condenser up and or destroy the system DO NOT run compressor continuously. You have been warned.

Bagshot · Aug 28, 2017

I'll take that as warned then...

I'll start replacing parts as I go along until I narrow it down.
Thanks everyone for all your help today,

wammers · Aug 28, 2017

Bagshot said:
I'll take that as warned then...

I'll start replacing parts as I go along until I narrow it down.
Thanks everyone for all your help today,

So you will be using the main dealer method of diagnostics then.

P38A Access to aircon compressor

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