Air Con Issues P38 HSE 1996

[BusinessConnected]

Hello All,
Just purchased this HSE 4.6 and when i turn the aircon it doesn't seem to be flowing much air, whatever setting I set it to.
It sounds like air is flowing behind the dash but it's refusing to open up the vents ete...

I have the Book Symbol on the Air Con LCD, is there anyway to determine the fault codes or does it need to be hooked up to Autologic/Similar?
(The 95 Jaguar XJR I have has a similar system, but you press two buttons and it shows you the error codes so you can note them down)

[Junosi]

but you press two buttons and it shows you the error codes so you can note them down)

Now that makes good sense, if only our P38 creators had such forethought :angel:

[Scouse]

Silly question.....you do have the vents open I hope?

The cheque book symbol needs some diagnostic gear hooked up to see what's going on. That might need sorting before looking further.

[BusinessConnected]

Vents are open... some air is getting through but its a very small amount.
I haven't run the car for longer than 20 minutes since I purchased it 4 weeks ago... I'll give it a nice long run on Saturday and see how it goes after that...

[p38arover]

What happens when you operate the distribution flaps?

[willem]

I have two suggestions to make, from experience.



If you haven't already done so, get your fuse box re-soldered. Remove the solder from every joint and re-solder every joint. Ron has an excellent instruction page (http://rangerovers.net/repairdetails/electrical/fusebox.html#dismant) on RangeRovers.net. I reckon this is an essential for every P38.



Replace the two relays that drive the blower motors. They are the ones with pictures of fans on them. They are the standard yellow relays and are relatively cheap.


Do this before you go chasing after problems with the Hevac unit itself. Trust me, you will be glad you did!

If you need someone to re-solder your fusebox, PM me and I'll give you some contact info.

Willem

[Hoges]

I have two suggestions to make, from experience.



If you haven't already done so, get your fuse box re-soldered. Remove the solder from every joint and re-solder every joint. Ron has an excellent instruction page (http://rangerovers.net/repairdetails/electrical/fusebox.html#dismant) on RangeRovers.net. I reckon this is an essential for every P38.



Replace the two relays that drive the blower motors. They are the ones with pictures of fans on them. They are the standard yellow relays and are relatively cheap.


Do this before you go chasing after problems with the Hevac unit itself. Trust me, you will be glad you did!

If you need someone to re-solder your fusebox, PM me and I'll give you some contact info.

Willem

If it is the fuse box and it needs a resolder...then for 2 tanks of fuel you can get a new one delivered fully populated with relays and fuses in a few days from the UK... Range Rover P38A--Electrical (http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/cat/Range%20Rover%20P38A--Electrical)... take advantage of the strong A$ against the GBPound at present.

I have a full solder setup and many years of tinkering in a lab and I take my hat(s):D off to Ron P38arover for his diligence for successfully tackling such a task...it's a labour of love indeed! :angel:

(P.S. I think he did it ...because he COULD :p:wasntme:;) there are some challenges he just can't resist :D)

[BusinessConnected]

Took the Car down to Hunter Cuthill in Geelong... Hooked it up to Autologic and found the 2 x Faulty Relays... As well as a Fuel Pump Relay that's looking a bit "charred". We replaced the 3 Relays and that resolved the Errors on the AC Dash and Air Con seems to be working better... Will watch the Fusebox and see if any Charring occurs again...

[Aussie]

A new fusebox solved a heap of little niggly issues I had. It fixed my SRS Airbag fault, It also fixed my AC issue where it went went hot/warm, It also fixed the AC fan, now it makes ice blocks when on low setting. It also removed the book symbol.

[BusinessConnected]

We'll that "Fix" with the Relays only seemed to resolve the issue for a short period. What I'm finding now consistently is that I'm blowing Fuse F31 (30A) which is the Air Conditioning Fuse according to the Vehicle Manual.

I'm guessing that something is shorting out... I've ordered a New Fusebox from the UK and I'll see what happens when that's installed.

I have tried just replacing that F31 Fuse but it will blow every single time once the motors are set to "High Mode". If I leave them at Low or Auto it might last 10-15 minutes before it blows...

[adm333]

It is also essential that you check and regularly replace your pollen filters. These are notorious for clogging up with gunk and placing an extraordinary load on the A/C fans, trying to draw air in through them.

You should replace them every 3 - 6 months.

In case you don't know where to find these, open up the bonnet and just below the windscreen on each side of the car there is a narrow black plastic cover attached with 2 phillips head screws. Remove the cover and pull out the filter insert.

Even if you replaced them last week you will be surprised at how dirty they are. Washing them or cleaning them with a vacuum only goes so far. I have found I can get non genuine ones for about $20 each.

Dave

[BusinessConnected]

These were replaced when I got the Car Serviced about 4 weeks ago, just checked them again and they appear ok.

[jezza89]

Bumping up this thread,

Some good info here. I have an air con fault, but it doesn't seem to be a blend motor. When I change the vents from defrost>feet>vent etc it works as it should... but it doesn't move as much air as it should.

I briefly looked over the relays and fuses and they look ok.

The joys of a P38 hey... this error came up on the day I had just replaced my accumulator. Although I found the cover on the engine bay fusebox wasn't really on right, maybe there is some heat damage as a result?

[Hoges]

if you put the A/C into 'recycle' mode does it shift more air...if so it's possibly blocked pollen filters ...have you checked them recently?
cheers

[jezza89]

Upon closer inspection it looks like I have a leak in my air con system, there is a slight coating of yellow stuff around the hoses and main compressor, which I believe is the dye in the gas used to pressurise the system? Hopefully it will be an easy fix and my error msg will disappear! :cool:

[Hoges]

Upon closer inspection it looks like I have a leak in my air con system, there is a slight coating of yellow stuff around the hoses and main compressor, which I believe is the dye in the gas used to pressurise the system? Hopefully it will be an easy fix and my error msg will disappear! :cool:

FWIW Fluorescein is the luminous material (also used to make dishwashing detergent glow yellow, also used by optician when examining your eyes:D) often mixed in A/C gas to detect leaks..if you buy a $3 UV bulb from Woollies and look at it in the dark it should fluoresce ... indicating a leak...

[derpomz]

If the aircon switch shows no light its on, is that right.

If the light is on the aircon switch its not working.

Seems a bit strange to me. what about all the other switches with lights on them.

Mine is a 96 with GEMS engine.

[wayneg]

Have you got an owners Handbook, if not you can find one free to download if you search.
The light on the aircon switch is ON when the aircon is OFF and OFF when the aircon is on, counter intuitive I know.
All this and more is outlined in the owners Handbook

[Scouse]

If the aircon switch shows no light its on, is that right.

If the light is on the aircon switch its not working.

Seems a bit strange to me. what about all the other switches with lights on them.

Mine is a 96 with GEMS engine.Correct, because it's an A/C OFF switch.


The other switches are ON switches.

[daf11e]

Derpomz we've been through this switch operation in a previous thread with you it seems you don't believe us ?

[derpomz]

Derpomz we've been through this switch operation in a previous thread with you it seems you don't believe us ?

What is wrong with you, all i asked was a question and i was confused, as i still am, as to on and off with aircon switch. Why cant you keep your nose out unless you have something to offer.

I am very new to this site and to RR ownership, so leave me alone and give me an answer i can understand.

[derpomz]

Have you got an owners Handbook, if not you can find one free to download if you search.
The light on the aircon switch is ON when the aircon is OFF and OFF when the aircon is on, counter intuitive I know.
All this and more is outlined in the owners Handbook

I wonder what they were smoking when they designed this thing.

[98se40]

Derpomnz

owners handbook......Range Rover P38 2000 Owner´s Handbook

Read it........there will be an exam afterwards:eek:

Cheers

[98se40]

ooops...Land Rover Manuals Free to download Landrover books (http://www.landy.biz/manuals.html)

[derpomz]

[QUOTE=98se40;2199098]Derpomnz

owners handbook......Range Rover P38 2000 Owner´s Handbook

Read it........there will be an exam afterwards:eek:

Cheers[/QUOTE

I have a handbook, but it doesnt explain the light being on and off, thats why i was confused. After several reads and playing with the switch, i know now what to do.

Seems i have been using the A/C all the time, this could explain the idle and surge problem. Jeez its not easy owning one of these things, but i will get there unless she makes me sell it.

[Scouse]

Seems i have been using the A/C all the time, this could explain the idle and surge problem. Jeez its not easy owning one of these things, but i will get there unless she makes me sell it.The climate control system needs the A/C to be normally on which is why the switch is specifically an OFF switch.
The car is designed to have the A/C on all the time so any idle/surge issues you have are a problem.

[davidsonsm]

Well the 95's are pushing 20 years old now. So when you think about the development time, the technology is 20 years plus. No wonder they provide a few challenges and tests from time to time. Bear with it. They do provide reward. Good job they do - or none of us would bother.

[Hoges]

Yep ..a man's gotta have a hobby. My grandfather always advised to steer clear of anything with a "t" in it... primarily "tits" and "tyres" :wasntme: ...they will cost money and end in tears...

[TheTree]

Yep ..a man's gotta have a hobby. My grandfather always advised to steer clear of anything with a "t" in it... primarily "tits" and "tyres" :wasntme: ...they will cost money and end in tears...

I am glad there is no "t" in Land Rover or Range Rover or we would all be rooned :p

Steve

[derpomz]

The climate control system needs the A/C to be normally on which is why the switch is specifically an OFF switch.
The car is designed to have the A/C on all the time so any idle/surge issues you have are a problem.

Ok now i am confused. Does the light on the switch need to be on, that is the light showing.

OR

Does the light need to be off.

Can you see where i am confused

[TheTree]

Ok now i am confused. Does the light on the switch need to be on, that is the light showing.

OR

Does the light need to be off.

Can you see where i am confused

The system is designed as a climate control system so the air-con is supposed to be on, I.E. the light is NOT on

When it needs to cool the cabin it turns the air con compressor on.

I have my HEVAC on AUTO so it just does it all for me; I very rarely move it from 23 degrees

Steve