AC Temp Differs side to side in D4

[geoffmc]

Hi All,

As i was driving out to pick up supplies for my family's self imposed lock-down, i noticed that whilst the temp on both sides of my D4 AC were the same, air on the passenger side was much cooler than the drivers side and it was the same in the rear.

Has anyone experienced this before and can shed some light on the issue?

cheers
Geoff

[TopEndThom]

Was it during the day? I believe there’s a directional light sensor somewhere which tells the HVAC ECU to bias cooler air to the side of the car with more sun..

[matti4556]

The directional light sensor is the little "size of a 10 cent coin" plastic dome in the centre of the dashboard near the windscreen (centre speaker trim). Yes, it does sense sunlight coming into the car from one side more than the other and does adjust for it.
Matti

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Pretty common for the drivers side to go warm first as the refrigerant gets low.

[geoffmc]

Thanks guys,

Interesting to heard of the difference, as a result of the temp sensor, however having owned the Car for 4 years, ive never experienced this before. Interestingly, it was serviced 2 weeks ago and i asked them to test the AC and came back fine.

Looks like ill have to take it to a AC specialist.

cheers
Geoff

[geoffmc]

Guys,

Well thanks for those that responded, giving advice. I had the system checked by a local AC repairer and they replaced both Schrader valves, regassed and the system is back to its chilly best. Total cost was $221, money well spent.

cheers
Geoff

[PerthDisco]

Guys,

Well thanks for those that responded, giving advice. I had the system checked by a local AC repairer and they replaced both Schrader valves, regassed and the system is back to its chilly best. Total cost was $221, money well spent.

cheers
Geoff

Is that the valve on the compressor often mentioned as a failure point?

[DiscoJeffster]

Is that the valve on the compressor often mentioned as a failure point?

The schrader valves are the valves on the high and low side where you test and gas the system. Presumably replaced in case they were leaking.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Decided to get my A.C checked as a result of this thread. I had noticed it taking a bit longer to provide cool air, and then it wasnt really cold air that i was used to. Usually run it on 22-23 at the lowest fan setting for my personal comfort level, recently i was down to 18 on recirc air to get the same effect. No compressor issues or fault codes.

Test revealed no apparent leaks, but the refrigerant charge was down below 50% apparently. Purge, regas, including an anti bacterial treatment plus they added a dye to help detect future leaks and its back to full cooling power.

Now on 24 and lowest fan speed with recirc is almost too cold, on fresh air its perfect and the defog function is also back to full function.

I still need to change the cabin pollen filter.

Pretty happy with that. Last time i remember this was done was about 3 to 4 years ago.

[PerthDisco]

Decided to get my A.C checked as a result of this thread. I had noticed it taking a bit longer to provide cool air, and then it wasnt really cold air that i was used to. Usually run it on 22-23 at the lowest fan setting for my personal comfort level, recently i was down to 18 on recirc air to get the same effect. No compressor issues or fault codes.

Test revealed no apparent leaks, but the refrigerant charge was down below 50% apparently. Purge, regas, including an anti bacterial treatment plus they added a dye to help detect future leaks and its back to full cooling power.

Now on 24 and lowest fan speed with recirc is almost too cold, on fresh air its perfect and the defog function is also back to full function.

I still need to change the cabin pollen filter.

Pretty happy with that. Last time i remember this was done was about 3 to 4 years ago.

It’s top of my list as never done since new. Who’d you use?

[Eric SDV6SE]

Went to my local Automasters, thought I'd give them a go and support the local economy. They did a good job, was done in a few hours, they rang after theyd tested the system and explained exactly what they were going to do, quoted their cost and we agreed. No hidden surprises when i picked it up. Good service all round