Aircon issues L320 / D4

[surfingooner]

I live in Cairns and my aircon stopped blowing cold air at the weekend. I had thought for a few weeks it wasn't as cold as it used to be. Called out a guy to re-gas it today, and confirmed it did not need re-gassing. Interestingly he said when I started the engine, he could hear the compressor start to work and then there would be a metallic 'click' and then that was it. Turned itself off.

His thoughts are that it would likely be the TX valve, start there and work toward compressor. I have no idea where this valve is for starters ? Is this something I might get a fault code for if I put a diagnostic tool on ?

As a side-thought, I have had the car 3 years, and the temperature control never seemed to be consistent. Sometimes it would blow very cold and would turn up the temp, other times vice versa. Is there any chance there is a temp sensor which was faulty and has now totally packed up, and so is telling the car it doesn't need to activate the aircon ? When I turn the climate control down, it does increase airflow, so it is trying...

Been reading various posts, and seems like a minefield area of repair, and concerned it could be a very expensive repair exercise with no guarantee of success? Any help greatly appreciated. 2010 RR Sport

[LuckyLes]

Hi Surfingooner,
Did the a/c guy put any gauges on it and give you any idea of what the pressures were. His diagnosis seems very vague, almost as if he wasn't sure what was wrong. I would suggest that you take it to one of the larger a/c workshops. FNQ Air used to be good, but expensive, but that was some years ago.
Cheers
LuckyLes

[surfingooner]

Thanks Les, he was just a facebook guy, trying to keep it cheap, used to work for LR and knew a lot about them and seemed proficient. That said, he did not know where the TX valve was located. He did test the pressure and say there weren't any leaks. I was not convinced by the 'click' being the compressor cutting out as I am confident the car has done that for a long time. So yes I have also questioned his diagnosis.

I am thinking the next step will be to take it to a specialist, but was hoping the forum might be able to help pin down what is the likely culprit and so I can look at the options for repair.

Cheers, Matt.

[gavinwibrow]

I live in Cairns and my aircon stopped blowing cold air at the weekend. I had thought for a few weeks it wasn't as cold as it used to be. Called out a guy to re-gas it today, and confirmed it did not need re-gassing. Interestingly he said when I started the engine, he could hear the compressor start to work and then there would be a metallic 'click' and then that was it. Turned itself off.

His thoughts are that it would likely be the TX valve, start there and work toward compressor. I have no idea where this valve is for starters ? Is this something I might get a fault code for if I put a diagnostic tool on ?

As a side-thought, I have had the car 3 years, and the temperature control never seemed to be consistent. Sometimes it would blow very cold and would turn up the temp, other times vice versa. Is there any chance there is a temp sensor which was faulty and has now totally packed up, and so is telling the car it doesn't need to activate the aircon ? When I turn the climate control down, it does increase airflow, so it is trying...

Been reading various posts, and seems like a minefield area of repair, and concerned it could be a very expensive repair exercise with no guarantee of success? Any help greatly appreciated. 2010 RR Sport


Can't help with the a/c, but time to add to/change your signature?

[loanrangie]

If its anything like the discos then the TX valve is behind the dash somewhere i believe.

[LuckyLes]

TX valve is situated behind the dash on top of the heater box. It is a big job and best left to a specialist. If he didn't know where it was then I wouldn't let him touch it. My first thought would be the control valve in the compressor, as these are a variable displacement compressor, diagnostics is not as simple as it used to be.

[scarry]

The vehicle needs to be taken to someone that has worked on the brand previously and knows them well.
Rare for the TX to play up.As others have said,often the compressor,or the rad fan,which may not be supplying the correct air over the condenser.
Sometimes intermittently.

A GAP tool will help diagnose the problem.