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[amba]

Compressor and full regas carried out 2 years agon and ever since climate control has worked without any clitches.

Last week noticed that compressor clutch was not engaging and air coming through vents even on "Low" was fairly warm.Drove the car that day without climate working although electrical side of things seemed to be correct as all panle lights came on and engine speed changed when switched from on to off.

Car stood that night and the following morning the climate started working again and has been fine until I stopped at lunchtime today for an hour or so.When started car noticed that compressor was not engaging again despite electrics all appearing to be fine and engine speed changed when switched off and on on dials.

Car had been stood in direct sunlight at lunchtime today and o/s temp was around 21.5c.All works as normal except no climate controlled cool air /no compressor clutch engaging.

Now if this had been due to low gas would the system suddenly start working again after a day of not,or am I imagining things .

Any pointers apart from the obvious ..get the gas volume checked..as wouldnt have expected it to have worked  for over a week since the last interuption.

[amba]

Guys,

Could really do with some pointers on this.

Started car this morning and for the entire day I have had no climate working...clutch on compressor is not spinning.Both fron fans are running at slow speed/climate panel is all registering as should be/engine speed changes when switched climate on and off.

Got into car this evening to do a local job and ..you guessed it...climate working as normal,cold air on "low".This is really now driving me crazy.

If refrigerant is lost at approx 10% per year due to normal  atmospherics and mine has not been recharged in 2.5 years imagine volume of gas is now only at 75-80% of correct volume.Would this be causing gas to not engage compressor at hotter daytime temps and when cools down in evenings gas then allows system to work correctly.

[Andy B]

My thoughts are as you suggested, low on gas. The leak rate you give is in a perfect world, but your car is now a few years old & I bet that you condenser is fubar'd, it's in direct firing line from all stones from the road etc. I replaced my condenser last week for the same reason, my car is a similar age to yours.
Get it re-gassed/checked for leaks. 

[mrgreen]

mine did the same when it was low on gas, i got it filled with uv gas but have yet to check for leaks

[amba]

Had a major spend on climate system early 2009 as intended keeping car.

Replaced compressor /condensor/evaporater and full re-gas with leak dye.

Assume system will run with low gas volume but won,t be too cold as not producing the required pressure.

Will give my A/C man a bell in morning and get him around for a check up....just wanted to understand what may be at fault and why it works sometimes and others it won,t.

Passed experiences have been ..it either works or gives up totally.

[Andy B]

...
Will give my A/C man a bell in morning and get him around for a check up....just wanted to understand what may be at fault and why it works sometimes and others it won,t....

it's been far too long since I've had to think my way around a fridge system, but it does seem strange that it'll work sometimes & not others.
 Low pressure switch iffy?  :-/ :-/