Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 15:14:06

Title: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 15:14:06
Got the aircon regassed, but the compressor clutch isn't engaging... :'(

0v going to the compressor, so where to be looking for the culprit :-\
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 16:24:12
Clutch engages when connected direct to battery, aircon working as expected, which is a start :-\

Fuses 12, 14 and 15 ok as well :-\ have swapped the relay with both the horn one and K87. No change, all three relays work on the horn circuit, so confident that I have ruled out that problem.

Every thing else (according to the book of blocks) seems to point to the engine ecu or wiring to the relay :-\
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 16:49:04
Might be a coincidence, but the coolant pump on the radiator has just gone up in smoke :o

When compressor connected direct to battery...

1. Front fans run constantly.
2. Second stage fan in the cabin air intake runs.
3. Main fan cuts in/out as expected from the gauge.

Plug compressor relay in, and 1. and 2. both cut out instantly, 3. stays the same.

What is likely to happen with the clutch permanently engaged, even when engine off?
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2013, 16:49:40
... or wiring to the relay :-\

At some point before I owned the car, the wiring underneath my battery had been 'modified' by Vauxhall. I've the receipt for it somewhere.
Any use?  :-\  :-\  :-\

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/Omega/AirConwiring_zps7d1a6b18.jpg) (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/Tiff4327/media/Omega/AirConwiring_zps7d1a6b18.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 17:08:50
All looks to be in order under there :-\

That looks like I soldered it ::)

Front fans do come on with the compressor off, but only after the rear fan which I believe is normal when aircon off...
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: RobG on 03 August 2013, 17:27:29
Got the aircon regassed, but the compressor clutch isn't engaging... :'(

0v going to the compressor, so where to be looking for the culprit :-\
Faulty low pressure switch :-\
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 17:40:07
Got the aircon regassed, but the compressor clutch isn't engaging... :'(

0v going to the compressor, so where to be looking for the culprit :-\
Faulty low pressure switch :-\
Presumably there are only three things which will tell the ecu not to power the clutch relay...

1. Low pressure.
2. ECO switch on the climate panel.
3. OFF switch on the climate panel.

How reliable are the pressure switches, and are they available separately  :-\
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: RobG on 03 August 2013, 18:06:23
Got the aircon regassed, but the compressor clutch isn't engaging... :'(

0v going to the compressor, so where to be looking for the culprit :-\
Faulty low pressure switch :-\
Presumably there are only three things which will tell the ecu not to power the clutch relay...

1. Low pressure.
2. ECO switch on the climate panel.
3. OFF switch on the climate panel.

How reliable are the pressure switches, and are they available separately  :-\
How long`s a piece of string. :) Can be obtained separately :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 18:56:44
All the other wiring seems to be behaving as expected. When the clutch is plugged to the battery, the front fans run instantly, and I have disconnected the radiator pump as that's now dead.

Shall try the pressure switch next

Thanks all :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: biggriffin on 03 August 2013, 19:00:15
low pressure switches are available but cost £58.+ on tc, hence i got a s/hand one from scrappie £2.00.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 19:11:11
 :y

Presumably the system will need regassing again ::)
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: RobG on 03 August 2013, 19:14:47
:y

Presumably the system will need regassing again ::)
Depends how quick you are with a spanner ;D
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 19:17:04
 ;D
Might only make a small hole in the Ozone layer if I remember to unplug it first :-X
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2013, 19:27:01
;D
Might only make a small hole in the Ozone layer if I remember to unplug it first :-X

If the a/c specialist is going to re-gas your system afterwards, they'll normally de-gas it for you for free.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 August 2013, 19:30:00
I try to keep things simple... the machine is much quicker if there's nothing to drain out of it ;D

A valid observation though :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2013, 19:31:45
... the machine is much quicker if there's nothing to drain out of it ;D
 .....

A good point, well made!  :y  :y  :y  :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: biggriffin on 03 August 2013, 20:56:09
:y

Presumably the system will need regassing again ::)
o yes,have you got your vx masterfit voucher,if so get vx to do it.
or you could go to (time to get linched) halfruds get a a/c kit using your trade card,(omega uses whole tin) refill with that to check system is working,(take empty back £10 back).
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: sassanach on 04 August 2013, 21:54:22
I not sure on the ohmygod,but on vectras of the same period you can change the low/high pressure switch's without emptying the system.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 07 August 2013, 00:43:49
Shall investigate some more at the weekend :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 August 2013, 10:51:15
Before you change anything, try diagnosing the pressure switch (aka triple switch) by bridging the contacts.

From memory, the aircon triple switch is fed a signal from the climate panel which enables air con if the climate panel is calling for cold air. It will break this circuit if the system pressure is below the minimum pressure or above maximum pressure. This wire is colour coded black with a white tracer at the triple switch.

This signal then feeds an input to the engine ECU. If you've got a code reader that shows live data I believe you can read the level of this input from the ECU. Output from the engine ECU feeds the air conditioning relay K60 so the engine ECU can veto the use of air con in certain cnditions.

There is also a coolant temperature switch that breaks the ground connection to the air con compressor if the coolant gets too hot. This would leave the fans operating as normal, so guessing this isn't the problem.

The triple switch also has another contact (Brown / Brown with white tracer) which brings the fans up to full speed at a certain pressure.

I would try bridging the black / white wires into and out of the triple switch next.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 August 2013, 10:57:09
By the way, it's also worth checking fuse 29.

EDIT: and fuse 52 in the engine bay fuse box, considering that pump burnt out, although it will only affect engine cooling and not air con.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 07 August 2013, 21:44:06
Thank you for that Kevin :y was thinking along the same lines so that I can refit the relay if nowt else ::)
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: albitz on 08 August 2013, 00:48:52
Well,if you need a compressor.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330973104057?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 08 August 2013, 01:08:30
Well,if you need a compressor.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330973104057?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
I don't, but at that price... I might :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: biggriffin on 10 August 2013, 16:01:59
Well,if you need a compressor.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330973104057?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
If id have seen that would have had a go, new they cost £150.
 missed a bargin there :'(
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 11 August 2013, 19:58:51
Before you change anything, try diagnosing the pressure switch (aka triple switch) by bridging the contacts.

From memory, the aircon triple switch is fed a signal from the climate panel which enables air con if the climate panel is calling for cold air. It will break this circuit if the system pressure is below the minimum pressure or above maximum pressure. This wire is colour coded black with a white tracer at the triple switch.

This signal then feeds an input to the engine ECU. If you've got a code reader that shows live data I believe you can read the level of this input from the ECU. Output from the engine ECU feeds the air conditioning relay K60 so the engine ECU can veto the use of air con in certain cnditions.

There is also a coolant temperature switch that breaks the ground connection to the air con compressor if the coolant gets too hot. This would leave the fans operating as normal, so guessing this isn't the problem.

The triple switch also has another contact (Brown / Brown with white tracer) which brings the fans up to full speed at a certain pressure.

I would try bridging the black / white wires into and out of the triple switch next.

Tried at the switch end. No joy :'(

Bridging the BrWs wires puts the high speed fan on, but only the drivers' side :-\ both front fans run when the clutch is connected directly to the battery, so guess one high speed fan is normal...

Fuses 29 and 52 both fine :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 August 2013, 09:51:01
That's weird. I know you can force the ECU output to pull in K60 using a Tech 2. Might be worth a try. I would also try pulling K60 and bridging the pins where its' contacts are. Should enable the compressor clutch and fans.

I think one fan on full speed would be normal in the situation you describe. The other fan requires K60 to be pulled in.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 August 2013, 13:38:34
Wiring diagram received :y guess the pressure switch is functioning as expected.

K60 not doing anything so guess an issue with the switching feed to that :-\ connect the clutch output to the battery, the front fabs run and clutch engages...
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: symes on 12 August 2013, 13:46:59
not being funny but how is electrical plug connecting air con----mine was smothered in oil and caused all sorts of hassle :y :y
and it can chaff through as its near sharp metal :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 August 2013, 14:53:43
Wiring diagram received :y guess the pressure switch is functioning as expected.

K60 not doing anything so guess an issue with the switching feed to that :-\ connect the clutch output to the battery, the front fabs run and clutch engages...

K60's feed comes from the engine ECU only a few inches away. What happens if you take the top off K60 and activate the contacts manually?
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 August 2013, 14:54:56
Nothing :-\

Just to add in response to Symes, compressor connection fine :y currently running it with 12v feed from battery direct to clutch output of the relay holder :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 13 August 2013, 10:01:37
Nothing :-\
That's odd ???

Do you have 12V at pin 30 and 86 of the relay base with the ignition on?

Forgot to say, if you're going to manually operate the relay contacts, ignition needs to be on. :-[
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 13 August 2013, 19:08:45
Had guessed that much ;D

Nothing between 86 and 30, but my multimeter might be defunct ::) doesn't register a voltage across the battery, let alone a relay ;D
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Andy B on 13 August 2013, 19:09:41
..., but my multimeter might be defunct ::) doesn't register a voltage across the battery, let alone a relay ;D

Ooops!  ;D  :y  :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 15 August 2013, 18:53:20
Had guessed that much ;D

Nothing between 86 and 30, but my multimeter might be defunct ::) doesn't register a voltage across the battery, let alone a relay ;D

Have you been using the Amps range and fubared the internal fuse?

Anyway, I was talking about between 86 / 30 and ground. There'll be nothing between them but they should both get an ignition switched feed.
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 15 August 2013, 18:59:12
Can connect all four terminals together, engine running and nothing happens :-\
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: Kevin Wood on 15 August 2013, 20:23:20
Can connect all four terminals together, engine running and nothing happens :-\

Ok.. But if you connect pin 86 to 12V the compressor and fans kick in?

Are you sure F29 is OK?
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 15 August 2013, 20:32:36
Yes to both :y
Title: Re: Aircon Compressor Clutch
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 August 2013, 18:17:41
Right progress of sorts :-\

Now if I connect sockets 30 and 87 together, with no relay, the aircon clutch engages, and the fans run when the ignition is switched on. Switch off, all goes off  :y which means I no longer need the direct connection to the battery :)

Relay in and nothing happens :-\

Have yet to try another relay, but previously they all tested working in the horn circuit...