Td5 A/C compressor not switching on

[rijidij]

The A/C compressor in the Defender I just bought doesn't seem to switch on. I'm referring to the clutch on the front. Does the A/C come on automatically when you switch the fan on at the dash ? I've checked the A/C fuse under the driver's seat and it's ok.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1212.jpg

[CraigE]

The way you have the dials aligned, it is actually turned off. Spin the temp knob a bit and it may kick in, but you do have to have the fan turned on first as well for the clutch to engage. I think it is an added precaution if the temp is left on. No point having the air con on if there is no air to push it araound.
The fan will work on its own with the temp off, but I think for the air con they have to be both on, at least that is how it seems to be with mine.

[Cameron_Def]

The way you have the dials aligned, it is actually turned off. Spin the temp knob a bit and it may kick in, but you do have to have the fan turned on first as well for the clutch to engage. I think it is an added precaution if the temp is left on. No point having the air con on if there is no air to push it araound.
The fan will work on its own with the temp off, but I think for the air con they have to be both on, at least that is how it seems to be with mine.


Yeap thats correct, mine needs to have the fan going before the ac kicks in, also if that does not work, pull the switch out and give it a cnc spray, mine got flaky for a while, and just needed some help.

Cam

[rijidij]

Yeap thats correct, mine needs to have the fan going before the ac kicks in, also if that does not work, pull the switch out and give it a cnc spray, mine got flaky for a while, and just needed some help.

Cam

I had already tried the switches in all positions, but no go. The temp switch does feel a bit funny, so I'll pull it out and check it.

Thanks, Murray

[justinc]

Murray,
It is also possible it is out of, or low on gas. To check this, bypas the low pressure switch on the reciever drier and try it again. The compressor should then kick in. When it does, have a look in the sight glass on top of the drier and see if there is any bubles or any fluid AT ALL circulating. It is quite common for defnder A/C systems to leak as most were installed poorly and leak like a sieve:mad: due to some of the ally pipes etc to rub through or fracture.

JC

[rijidij]

Murray,
It is also possible it is out of, or low on gas. To check this, bypas the low pressure switch on the reciever drier and try it again. The compressor should then kick in. When it does, have a look in the sight glass on top of the drier and see if there is any bubles or any fluid AT ALL circulating. It is quite common for defnder A/C systems to leak as most were installed poorly and leak like a sieve:mad: due to some of the ally pipes etc to rub through or fracture.

JC

Thanks JC,
I will check that. The previous owner did say it might need gas, but I thought the compressor would still kick in, but obviously not.

Cheers, Murray

[dullbird]

could it be possible if the gas has been left to get low or run out that the a/c pump could be damaged? doesn't the gas act as tthe lubricant for the pump? or am i thinking of something else

[justinc]

could it be possible if the gas has been left to get low or run out that the a/c pump could be damaged? doesn't the gas act as tthe lubricant for the pump? or am i thinking of something else

You're right Lou, I should've mentioned that in my previous post.

NOTE: ONLY bypass the switch to check that the gas level IS low, and that there is nothing wrong with the rest of the system electrically, IE thermostat/ relay/ temp switch/main compressor relay/ compressor clutch itself etc etc.
JC

[rijidij]

Murray,
It is also possible it is out of, or low on gas. To check this, bypas the low pressure switch on the reciever drier and try it again. The compressor should then kick in. When it does, have a look in the sight glass on top of the drier and see if there is any bubles or any fluid AT ALL circulating. It is quite common for defnder A/C systems to leak as most were installed poorly and leak like a sieve:mad: due to some of the ally pipes etc to rub through or fracture.

JC

Bypassed the low pressure switch (2nd pic), and the compressor kicked in , no worries. There was no sign of any bubbles etc (3rd pic). Now that I know that, I guess the next step is get the sysyem checked/serviced/regased by an A/C pro.

Thanks for the replies, Murray

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1142.jpg https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1143.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/12/1144.jpg