Air Conditioner Icing Up

[Scooter]

I have had my defender since new from Nov 2008 and moved to Darwin in Sep 2009. From christmas 2009 the air conditioning system has been icing up.

I have had the thermostate changed twice and recently the tx valve all under warranty but still the air con is icing up. Has any one else out there experienced the same problem or have any I advice I have lost all confidence with Landrover to fix this fault. It seems to be worse in humid conditions.

[LandyAndy]

It isnt something real silly like blocked drains???? Sometime the simple issues are overlooked.
Andrew

[Mick_Marsh]

I had that problem with my Commodore. Check the condensate is draining quickly enough. If it's not, the vaporator gets immersed in the condensate and it freezes.

[Tombie]

Common
Turn fan down 1 notch when it's humid.

[rick130]

As the fella's above have said, a coil ice up is usually the simple things.

These problems are what can cause any refrigeration/air conditioning coil to ice up (and several have been 'fixed' on your car)

Lack of air flow through evaporator. eg. fan motor failure, fan blade spinning on shaft, blockage, eg plastic bag sucked into the return air. (pretty common) ducting/shroud misaligned so air is by-passing coil, etc.

Blocked drain, partially blocked drain, coil sitting in the drip tray (needs an air gap between water and coil or icing will result)

Thermostat set too low cut out temp. Thermostat cut in temp too low. Thermostat points fused.

TX valve being partially stuck shut causing an external ice up is pretty uncommon, usually the LP control will trip creating short cycling before that happens.

[stig0000]

very commen prob with the puma's, the way the air flows onto the evaporator is useless, if you sore it you'll no what i mean,

and they let the ac get so cold so it works as good as it dose, but that has brought on this problem, the temp sensor on the evaporator needs to be set 1-2deg higher and it would fix the prob,

[dullbird]

I wish I could get mine cold...

used to ice up till they fixed it couple years ago now it gets cool and on a long drive might as well noot have it on as it seems to cool nothing.

[one_iota]

Mine works very well.

For all those that are critical just remember that this the first factory fitted Defender AC that comes within cooee's distance of the definition of Air Conditioning.

Those prior to the Puma could also open the flaps and imagine. :p;)

Seriously though with humid air try adjusting the temperature and fan speed. It might reduce the cooling effect but might also stop the moisture from condensating and freezing on the coil.

[LandyAndy]

I wish I could get mine cold...

used to ice up till they fixed it couple years ago now it gets cool and on a long drive might as well noot have it on as it seems to cool nothing.

Open up your flaps Lou.
I had a steer of The Grinch's Defer the other day,opened the flaps up NICE!!!!
Pumas dont have flaps do they????:p:p:p:p:p:p
Andrew

[Koukandowie Brangus]

I wish I could get mine cold...

used to ice up till they fixed it couple years ago now it gets cool and on a long drive might as well noot have it on as it seems to cool nothing.

I read my manual once it said that the aircon will drop the outside temp by 10 degrees in the cab. unfortunately after a long drive out here in the desert when the oat is 45,the cab structure is about 50 and i am happy when the aircon blows any kind of semi mild air at me:D:D:D:D

[TwoUp]

I think this has surfaced before and not Peeuummy specific.

Mine was the sensor dislodged so the unit ran flatout until frozen, nice white air via the vents for a while until frozen. Had to wait until defrosted for a short term aircon.

Regards,
PeterW

[rick130]

Common
Turn fan down 1 notch when it's humid.

You need to increase the air flow through the coil, not decrease it ;)

More air = higher suction temp = higher evap temp

[Tombie]

You need to increase the air flow through the coil, not decrease it ;)

More air = higher suction temp = higher evap temp

I thought so too
But Lara worked better the other way.

[rick130]

I thought so too
But Lara worked better the other way.

:eek:

Trust a Land Rover to be able defy the laws of Thermodynamics :D

[Scooter]

Thanks for the tips. Landrover what the defender next week for a few days I'll share the advice with them and see if they came up with a fix.

Let you know the outcome

[Scooter]

Just got the Defender back from Landrover. Looks like they manged to fix the problem. I believe they relocated the thermostat.

It took a long time but Landrover did put a lot of effort into the fix and just in time for the NT build-up. I'll post the actual details when i get the report.

Cheers

Scooter

[PhilipA]

Just got the Defender back from Landrover. Looks like they manged to fix the problem. I believe they relocated the thermostat.

It took a long time but Landrover did put a lot of effort into the fix and just in time for the NT build-up. I'll post the actual details when i get the report.



You beat me.
The other thing you can do if it still persists ( presumably out of warranty) is fit an adjustable thermostat. They are AFAIK readily available and pretty cheap.
Regards Philip A

[tieds]

This is interesting, mine does this too, I just assumed it was something to do with the humid conditions here in Sydney at the moment.
Where is the sensor you're talking about.
PS my 110 is about 2months old.

[tieds]

I think this has surfaced before and not Peeuummy specific.

Mine was the sensor dislodged so the unit ran flatout until frozen, nice white air via the vents for a while until frozen. Had to wait until defrosted for a short term aircon.

Regards,
PeterW
This is interesting, mine does this too, I just assumed it was something to do with the humid conditions here in Sydney at the moment.
Where is the sensor you're talking about.
PS my 110 is about 2months old.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/1339.jpg

[kimlandrover]

hi
can somebody tell me where the air conditioning thermastat is located on a 96 defender 130. i have just bypassed the compressor switch and fitted a toggle switch, but find that the fan is icing up and no air coming out of vents. kim