I am unfortunate enough to have changed my reliable Octy for a Renault Scenic 2004 model which is trying my patience a little. The Renault forums are useless and never reply to posts. I think I'm the only member on one forum, it's that quiet, this site is by far the best I have ever been a part of.

Anyway, to the point. My a/c has decided it doesn't want to work. The light on the dash comes on but no cold air. I can't hear any change in the engine revs so I don't think the compressor is turning on. The only info I have found out so far is that the compressor won't cut in if the pressure is low but even after a re-gas it won't work until it's been reset. I have found out that it could also be the pressure switch giving a false reading and causing the same fault. Bad news is, apparently, Renault (Ren-oh!) are the only people who can reset the system for obviously Renault money. I have checked the fuse which is ok but I don't have a multimeter to check if the compressor is actually getting power. Is there a common fault with these a/c set-ups, is anything I've found out true or shall I just keep Renault in business for a little longer and take it to them?

I am unfortunate enough to have changed my reliable Octy for a Renault Scenic 2004 model which is trying my patience a little. The Renault forums are useless and never reply to posts. I think I'm the only member on one forum, it's that quiet, this site is by far the best I have ever been a part of.

Anyway, to the point. My a/c has decided it doesn't want to work. The light on the dash comes on but no cold air. I can't hear any change in the engine revs so I don't think the compressor is turning on. The only info I have found out so far is that the compressor won't cut in if the pressure is low but even after a re-gas it won't work until it's been reset. I have found out that it could also be the pressure switch giving a false reading and causing the same fault. Bad news is, apparently, Renault (Ren-oh!) are the only people who can reset the system for obviously Renault money. I have checked the fuse which is ok but I don't have a multimeter to check if the compressor is actually getting power. Is there a common fault with these a/c set-ups, is anything I've found out true or shall I just keep Renault in business for a little longer and take it to them?

Hi Andy

Someone has to buy a Scenic ! (sorry)

But I am not a expert, but I think most air-con systems work in the same way, being the system need to be at pressure, and if the switch is telling that it is low (either low gas or faulty switch) then as you say the compressor will not cut in, and also may be some other device like on some cars that stop it working under a certain temperature, like in Winter.

But the problem with the switches, is they could switch to a open circuit or close the switch, so unless you know which way they are it is difficult to diagnose, but just as a test take off the plug with the wires on the pressure switch and then check with a multimeter and check if it is open/closed circuit, if it is closed circuit, I guess the switch is ok, and there is gas in the system, if it is open circuit then plug the plug back in and start the engine, turn on the air-con, and then just short out the two terminals with a bit of wire, and see if the compressor cuts in, if so that is your problem !

The only down side to that theory is if it does need reseting, then it still might not work, but you will be a bit nearer knowing if it is the switch !

The other thing to do to check the Compressor, is first determine which is switch live and negative on the compressor, then disconnect these two wires and connect two fresh wires and connect one to the battery negative, and touch the positive wire on the +12 of the battery (do this with the engine stopped) and the clutch should click in, if it does start the car, and again touch the wire back on the 12+ and see if you get cold air, if the clutch cuts in, and then you get cold air then all you need to do is have it re-set by the stealer's !

Hope that is of some help

Radiotwo

Thank you for your help. I have had the problem posted on 2 Ren-oh! sites for about a month now and no reply. This forum is sooooo much better than any of them.

This forum is sooooo much better than any of them.

Like the cars? :yes:

Hope you get it sorted though - my old Fabia did something simular - never solved it though.

You could take it to an auto elecrician who may have more knowledge and a lower labour rate than your Renault dealer.

i found this forum very informative,http://www.renaultforums.co.uk

i got a 1.5dci, when my air con fail it was a circuit board behind the switch and it was around £300 for renault to fix, it is a known problem if you have switch fan to max and air con on it blows that board

Like the cars? :yes:

Hope you get it sorted though - my old Fabia did something simular - never solved it though.

I know the Skoda is much better but I couldn't get all my kids in. I would never have got rid of it if I had the choice and with my budget, the Scenic was my only option. I guess you get what you pay for, cheap car for a reason. I am still looking out for a Touran in my price range or for Skoda to make a people mover. I hope they do as I loved my Octy and am still mourning my loss which is not helped by the endless faults with my Renault.

Edited 7 May, 201115 yr by andy-fisher

You could take it to an auto elecrician who may have more knowledge and a lower labour rate than your Renault dealer.

That also has a flip side too. For example who could diagnose an Octavia air con problem quicker, an auto electrician or myself with knowledge of VAS and MBVs including shut of codes etc? An hour of my time and a correct diagnosis may well be money better spent than half a day with someone who doesn't know how the system works.

Probably, but if they are newish to the franchise they won't have experience of the product. I've seen a £650 invoice from a newly appointed Skoda dealer for a new ABS unit on a Fabia, which failed to cure the illuminated ABS warning light. They had access to all the manuals, data, diagnostic equipment and technical help from Skoda, but still failed to spot the cracked fuse on top of the battery.

There's no substitute for product knowledge and experience. A busy auto electrician may see more problem Renaults than the local dealer when they are out of warranty.

After many hours of messing around with my car, I found out that Slow-Fit or a similar named place did recharges for £49 but if the air was not 10% cooler than before, it would be free. My car took about 5min as when they connected the machine, there was no pressure at all which "could indicate a leak and you should take it to an a/c specialist". Still, cost me nothing to find out it will cost me lots!