Marea JTD 110, 2001 model.
Just back from the garage after a gearbox repair, and the air-con
doesn't work anymore.
The compressor clutch isn't pulling in when it should. Hot-wiring 12V to
the compressor and it pulls in and spins OK, although the outlet pipe
doesn't seem to getting hot.
Now this car is a nightmare of wiring and plumbing around the
gearbox/battery area, all of which has obviously just been dismantled
and replaced by the garage. So a few questions if there's anyone
familiar with Fiat air-con.
1) Its possible that the system was depressurised in order to get the
access to the gearbox, the garage don't _think_ this was the case,
although the mechanic who did the job is not around until late next week
to check. I note there's a pressure switch on top of the
filter/drier(?), would this cut power to the compressor if there was no
refrigerant in the system?
2) Just behind the front n/s light is a spare electrical connector, 2
pin sealed type. Black and black/violet wires. I can't find anything
this could plug into, indeed it could just be some spare circuit
floating around. Any clues?
3) In front of the battery tray is metal box containing four relays -
looking through the ePer parts database sort of suggests this may be for
the aircon. Again anyone know for sure?
If it is an electrical problem, I should be able to sort it, just that
access to anything is very difficult, so a few clues would help.
Cheers

Signature
steve
Nick ///// - 25 Dec 2005 18:13 GMT
1) Could have been depressurised. Yes there is a pressure switch in the
system to stop the compressor kicking in.
Go with 1). If the aircon was working before the gearbox repair and it is
not now, then me thinks this is a problem caused by the garage which they
should sort out.
Nick /////
> Marea JTD 110, 2001 model.
> Just back from the garage after a gearbox repair, and the air-con doesn't
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Cheers
Steven Briggs - 25 Dec 2005 20:46 GMT
>1) Could have been depressurised. Yes there is a pressure switch in the
>system to stop the compressor kicking in.
>
>Go with 1). If the aircon was working before the gearbox repair and it is
>not now, then me thinks this is a problem caused by the garage which they
>should sort out.
Cheers. I'm 90% thats the issue. Thinking back again, when I hot-wired
the compressor for a few seconds the engine didn't seem to take up any
extra load either - so the buggers have released the refrigerant.

Signature
steve