2013 Superb not demisting. I had the refrigerant topped up recently. Any suggestions as to what to check or how to find error codes?

33 minutes ago, scottalej2 said:

2013 Superb not demisting. I had the refrigerant topped up recently. Any suggestions as to what to check or how to find error codes?

I think AC circuits shut down at low temperatures, to prevent internal freezing.

Check in your manual if there's any mention of 4C as minimum temperature for it to operate.

 

Yes, could be wrong, but that's how I remember in my head

 

 

EDIT: From my own manual

 

The cooling system operates only if the following conditions are met.
The cooling system is switched on.
The engine is running.
The outside temperature is above approx. +2 °C.
The blower is switched on.

 

So it's 2 not 4 Celcius.

Edited 9 December, 20223 yr by varooom

3 hours ago, scottalej2 said:

2013 Superb not demisting.

It's borderline whether or not the air con will operate at current temperatures. What is the outside temperature (gauge) where you are when doing a cold start?

^^^ 

Exactly.

What is the outside temp, Air temp above the ground / mirror height and the Ground Temp. below the front grills might be quite different.

 

So how cold outside, how cold / damp in the car and is the Screen being blasted with cold, warm or hot air.   It is not the AC that will demist the screen.

The AC might not even function at below 4*oC or certainly not at 2*oC and lower. 

Not when starting a car, cold engine, cold coolant etc. 

 

Nice if it is Demisting needed inside and not thawing the ice where the condensation has frozen. 

 

So the AC needs to be doing it's thing when the car is out an about and drying the cars interior. On runs.

Then when parked the car as dry as it can be before it gets cold. before the next start etc.

?

Is the Pollen filter clean and dry, and the air intake that provides the air flow in the car?

Then try and keep the inside moisture free even when there is a good functioning A/C system. 

 

 

Edited 9 December, 20223 yr by toot

Thanks for all the replies.

It's around 2 degrees C probably. Previously I just hit the screen demist button and the system would do its thing and clear the screen pretty quickly. Now it doesn't properly clear the screen or side windows even after a 12 mile run when the engine is up to temperature.

If your car has a lot of moisture inside, that can take a while to clear.  Or as mentioned a damp cabin filter.

 

Do you crack the windows a little when it's steamy inside?

I'll have a look at the cabin filter tomorrow and dry it out if it's damp. 

No I don't open the windows.

Where is any moisture the system takes from the car go? Could the drain be blocked?

My logic is your car is sealed up, therefore the moisture is stuck.  So while your AC is not active in these Temps, you might need to help it 'leave' the car.

 

Just be careful opening window is they are iced up, open it for last few minutes and whack fans up on high speed to get it flowing.

46 minutes ago, scottalej2 said:

It's around 2 degrees C probably

Confirm a/c will be disabled by low temperature. As others, you need to crack a window (or the sunroof if fitted) to dump the wet air.

Have you accidentally set the air on recirculating- I’ve had cars steam up when I’d accidentally done this when cleaning the interior of the car?