Air con issue

[clockworkmonkey]

Hi. I recently acquired a 2016 Citigo Colour Edition. Whilst the dashboard fans/vents work, the air isn't very cold when I turn on the A/C. I assumed it would need a regas, but I've noticed that when I press the A/C on, I don't hear the compressor kicking in. Is this a common fault and is there any way to test? I don't won't to pay for a regas, if it's a bigger problem. Many thanks.

[freemansteve]

If the gas pressure is low in the AC coolant circuit, AFAIK the compressor is locked out. Check fuses though.

In general I reckon that re-gassing is pointless until after you find and fix the source of the leak.

Sometimes a leak can be physical damage - like a stone chip on the condenser, or a metal-fatigue fracture of a pipe joint, but also failed seals.

It is common wisdom that regular running of the AC is a good way to reduce leaks through various seals drying out etc., but I have no real way to know if this is generally true (big data), or if it's just assumptions (anecdotes with no control mechanism).... No harm in running the AC regularly though!
 

Edited 2 May, 2023 by freemansteve

[f1larry]

Clockworkmonkey - did you discover what the issue was in the end? I'm having the same issue. The A/C button lights up, the fuse is good but the magnetic clutch doesn't appear to be engaging. I've been trying to find the a/c relay but I've no idea where to look.

 

 

[clockworkmonkey]

Hi. I took it to an air con specialist last week who pressure tested the system and they said it had quite a bad leak somewhere. I didn't ask them to investigate further to find the source of the leak as I'd need to rebook the car in for a more fuller diagnostic.

[J.R.]

7 hours ago, f1larry said:

 the magnetic clutch doesn't appear to be engaging.

 

That is because it does not exist and also the reason that the common wisdom quoted is no longer valid if it ever was.

[f1larry]

10 hours ago, clockworkmonkey said:

Hi. I took it to an air con specialist last week who pressure tested the system and they said it had quite a bad leak somewhere. I didn't ask them to investigate further to find the source of the leak as I'd need to rebook the car in for a more fuller diagnostic.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Looks like that's the way I'm heading then...

Cheers

[f1larry]

6 hours ago, J.R. said:

 

That is because it does not exist and also the reason that the common wisdom quoted is no longer valid if it ever was.

So the A/C compressor is running all the time the engine is turning and the A/C is activated by opening a valve, allowing the refrigerant to flow through the cooler? Seems a little inefficient to have something running when you don't want A/C on, especially on a smaller engined car.

Also, what are the wires going to the compressor for then? Sensor wires? A 10A fuse seems a little excessive for a sensor and the diagnostic port, don't you think?

 

Of course, if I knew about the A/C system on a Citigo I wouldn't be asking the question here so any help is gratefully received.

 

Thanks,

[Breezy_Pete]

I think the Citigo compressor may have a clutch, judging by ebay pics of what I think your compressor part number probably is (1S0820803B). That is pretty unusual for modern Skodas though, most have instead a solenoid valve that varies the displacement of the pump from some minimal figure of say 4% up to max.

 

Not sure how to go about fault-finding, but the relay associated with the compressor is in position 10 of the relay holder in front of your right knee when sitting in RHD driver's seat.

 

 

[f1larry]

20 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

I think the Citigo compressor may have a clutch, judging by ebay pics of what I think your compressor part number probably is (1S0820803B). That is pretty unusual for modern Skodas though, most have instead a solenoid valve that varies the displacement of the pump from some minimal figure of say 4% up to max.

 

Not sure how to go about fault-finding, but the relay associated with the compressor is in position 10 of the relay holder in front of your right knee when sitting in RHD driver's seat.

 

 

Great, thanks for the info. I'll take another look when mother pops over for a cuppa - it's her car and I thought I'd take a quick look at the A/C whilst I was changing the oil and filters etc. Couldn't see any relays nearby when I was checking the fuse though.

 

Thanks again,

 

 

[Breezy_Pete]

[f1larry]

16 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Cheers pal.

[J.R.]

Every day is a learning day, I agree F1Larry that a 10 amp fuse sounds high for a non clutched unit but the fuse may be for the Climatronic or heater controller with all the associated flaps.

 

Non clutch units (on the majority but not the 100% I thought) have 2 wires leading to the modulating valve, they are not working all the time but do circulate a small amount of refrigerant all the time which would lubricate seals if there is any substance to the old wives tale.

 

My apologies, I frequently make the mistake of thinking the smaller Skoda vehicles have the same systems as the mid to large ones, its always Pete who politely puts me right and I am grateful to.

[f1larry]

A school day for me too. I was under the impression that the majority of vehicles had a clutch of some sort connected to the the compressor. I always noticed when my 1.8T Golf's A/C was switched on/off, as well as the R53 Mini we had, but never notice it with my 330d BM and assumed the A/C compressor made little difference to the power o/p of a 3L diesel whether it was on or off.

 

Hopefully I can get the issue sorted as it's not a bad little car (the ASG box takes some getting used to - I find coming off the gas a tad just as its about to change gear helps quite a lot!) and suits mum's little runs to the shop etc, but she really wouldn't mind the A/C working to take the edge off the summer weather.

I'll have to dig my VCDS laptop out from my old Golf/Polo days and see if that can shed any light on the problem before a visit to the garage.

 

Cheers,

Larry