[coolkurt]

I'm thinking of taking the Car to the Service center on Friday. let's see what their diagnosis of the airconditioning is. It's impossible to beat the heat from 12-4pm now...rolling down the Windows is much better.

[lapis_lazuli]

Originally Posted by mrohit17

4. He poured a jug of water over the condensor and voila the AC ran just fine for another hour or so after which it started acting again.

Any pointers any body.... help.

70 k kms is a lot. IMHO, these condensers have many many fins made of thin copper sheet. It effectively increases the surface area. It is also prone to get choked with grime, dust and debris.

Normally, in home ACs you find the evaporator fins gather dust (the room side: because it "sucks" room air and dust) while the condenser part fins are relatively less clogged. In a car, the evaporator is in the dash, so lesser dust, but condenser, is ahem, "on the road"....and car moves ahead against the wind, against the dust, behind the spewing exhaust of a truck, auto or whatever. All this "antimatter" gets into the fins, IMHO! The condenser is in front of the radiator, taking all the brunt. Over time, it probably is working at a fraction of the efficiency, the condenser! So please get it cleaned once, probably, will make things a little better. Not with a jet of water only, the debris becomes clay and further clogs! Instead, a 2 hour job. Kindly watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw

[i74js]

I do not own a Punto but here are my 2 cents based on Indica & Ford Escort - There are two fans (one for radiator and one for AC Condenser) in Indica and every time the improper cooling was because of non-functioning of the AC Condenser fan. A jug of water is just temporary solution as it cools the fins, its better to get the radiator & condenser setup washed with pressurized water once in a month during summers. My Indica has just done 110k last week. Single gas filling and AC compressor service in 2009

Albeit, the Ford Escort has completed 240K, and there was never any problem with AC. Ford has a single fan doing double duty to cool AC condenser and radiator. It runs at a lower rpm continuously when the AC is ON and the rpm increases for some time in between when the engine / coolant temperature is to be managed. I have found this better and never took my car for ac maintenance (except once in 2007 for change of toggle switch of AC) - no gas filling in past 15 years.

I do not see any need of change of Condenser, though a FIAT expert can have a different opinion.

[chaudh2s]

Originally Posted by mrohit17

Ditto, I am facing the same issue in my 4 year old 70KKM Punto this year but its an MJD. Early mornings and late evening the AC runs just fine.....in day time the problem arises. The ambient temperature ranges anywhere around 45-47 in my area this year. What I have noticed is:
1. The AC runs fine when the car is cruising.
2. As soon as the car is stationary the compressor starts cutting off intermittently and this intermittent period keeps on decreasing till the time AC becomes ineffective (finally compressor runs for 8-10 secs and stops for 20 secs approx.)
3. I got it checked with an AC expert, he has checked and verified everything and blames it on the exceptionally hot summer.
4. He poured a jug of water over the condensor and voila the AC ran just fine for another hour or so after which it started acting again.

Any pointers any body.... help.

Me too suffered from this problem till yesterday for the last approx 4 years when the service was with tata. Every summer when delhi sizzles at >43deg and stop start traffic conditions persist, my punto mjd compressor used to cut on off on off and passengers sweat inside. No such problems in the mornings and evenings and while cruising. Tata service used to check ac gas and spray water on condensor but nothing else and even blamed me for my poor driving stye. With my extended warranty scheduled to end next month, i decided to give it one last shot and gave my car to kashyap fiat (fiat authorised service centre at okhla delhi) for the problem. The service advisor sushil immediately diagnosed the problem to a faulty radiator fan (high speed fan not working). Though i had to leave my car for a few days there (huge rush of battered fiats suffering from tata service) , the fan replaced under extended warranty (approx 11000) and voila no cut cut of compressor now even in 44deg ambient and heavy traffic. Got Ground clearance kit too and lower arm replaced and the car is now again running like a magic carpet at 90K odo reading. NO rattles no noise just pure driving pleasure. Long live Fiat!!

[coolkurt]

My Punto 1.4 has been having the same airconditioning issues. tata A.S.S did a shoddy job and couldn't fix it for 2 years now. Mine is still under extended warranty so I guess I'll go and get it fixed too at Kashyap Okhla. Do you have a petrol or a diesel punto? I thought I'd ask for the service rep sunil himself and I'll give your reference.

[lapis_lazuli]

FIAT free check up camp in the NCR is scheduled for 7th-9th June. At least one of the major dealers in Delhi/Noida has confirmed this news today. Keep an eye on the newspapers. An ad is expected soon.

[coolkurt]

Originally Posted by coolkurt

My Punto 1.4 has been having the same airconditioning issues. tata A.S.S did a shoddy job and couldn't fix it for 2 years now. Mine is still under extended warranty so I guess I'll go and get it fixed too at Kashyap Okhla. Do you have a petrol or a diesel punto? I thought I'd ask for the service rep sunil himself and I'll give your reference.

I've given my punto to Kashyap fiat okhla, delhi Yesterday and told them my problem of no cooling in start stop traffic. they checkd for leaks etc but there were none. they kept the car overnight. I got no call so I decided to go myself nd see what they've been upto today. They now claim that some ring bit was faulty of some tube where there was minor leakage.. and they want me to cough up arnd Rs 3500 for it. They say it's not covered under extended warranty.
Moreover I don't think there was any leak...my Car has been cooling in the same way for 2 years...in empty roads nd continuous pressing of the accelerator, the car is still a chiller. so I don't think this repair work is going to solve my problem. and now I have to pay for it too. :/ what's the point of paying for warranty if I have to pay up for change of parts too?
I will take a test drive today evening...and if it isn't satisfactory, I plan to return my car nd escalate the issue.
I was hoping fiat going solo would be a better experience but till now, my experience is pretty bad. I did not receive a single call from the service rep about the status of my car yest. I was the one who had to call and find out. And when u change parts u are supposed to ask the customer, even Rama motors okhla were more efficient.

Now kindly help me. what should I do? does anyone know somebody I can talk to at kashyap fiat? or somebody else at fiat to whom I can escalate the issue? and can anyone elaborate on a/c parts covered under extended warranty? I think everything from compressor to hoses nd ducts are covered?

[Randhawa]

Originally Posted by coolkurt

I've given my punto to Kashyap fiat okhla, delhi Yesterday and told them my problem of no cooling in start stop traffic. they checkd for leaks etc but there were none. they kept the car overnight. I got no call so I decided to go myself nd see what they've been upto today. They now claim that some ring bit was faulty of some tube where there was minor leakage.. and they want me to cough up arnd Rs 3500 for it. They say it's not covered under extended warranty.
Moreover I don't think there was any leak...my Car has been cooling in the same way for 2 years...in empty roads nd continuous pressing of the accelerator, the car is still a chiller. so I don't think this repair work is going to solve my problem. and now I have to pay for it too. :/ what's the point of paying for warranty if I have to pay up for change of parts too?
I will take a test drive today evening...and if it isn't satisfactory, I plan to return my car nd escalate the issue.
I was hoping fiat going solo would be a better experience but till now, my experience is pretty bad. I did not receive a single call from the service rep about the status of my car yest. I was the one who had to call and find out. And when u change parts u are supposed to ask the customer, even Rama motors okhla were more efficient.

Now kindly help me. what should I do? does anyone know somebody I can talk to at kashyap fiat? or somebody else at fiat to whom I can escalate the issue? and can anyone elaborate on a/c parts covered under extended warranty? I think everything from compressor to hoses nd ducts are covered?

There was a recall on these rubber o -rings (2011 or2012) and when I had the issue they replaced it free of cost.

[coolkurt]

I didn't know that. now do I need to pay? I'll take the test drive Tomm. if the airconditioning is good. then I don't mind paying.

[chaudh2s]

Confirm from them would this ring sort out this problem or not, and if they affirm, get it done, but don't take delivery of car. Tell them before hand if this still wont resolve the issue, you have to take back that part and search for other fault which is making you suffer. Keep your car at kashyap and tell them i will take it only when issue is resolved. They cannot deny you service/repair of a fault. Don't feel restless, have patience, and demonstarate them the fault by driving in traffic, they have to reapir it.

[kalpurja]

Originally Posted by coolkurt

I've given my punto to Kashyap fiat okhla, delhi Yesterday and told them my problem of no cooling in start stop traffic. they checkd for leaks etc but there were none. they kept the car overnight. I got no call so I decided to go myself nd see what they've been upto today. They now claim that some ring bit was faulty of some tube where there was minor leakage.. and they want me to cough up arnd Rs 3500 for it. They say it's not covered under extended warranty.
Moreover I don't think there was any leak...my Car has been cooling in the same way for 2 years...in empty roads nd continuous pressing of the accelerator, the car is still a chiller. so I don't think this repair work is going to solve my problem. and now I have to pay for it too. :/ what's the point of paying for warranty if I have to pay up for change of parts too?
I will take a test drive today evening...and if it isn't satisfactory, I plan to return my car nd escalate the issue.
I was hoping fiat going solo would be a better experience but till now, my experience is pretty bad. I did not receive a single call from the service rep about the status of my car yest. I was the one who had to call and find out. And when u change parts u are supposed to ask the customer, even Rama motors okhla were more efficient.

Now kindly help me. what should I do? does anyone know somebody I can talk to at kashyap fiat? or somebody else at fiat to whom I can escalate the issue? and can anyone elaborate on a/c parts covered under extended warranty? I think everything from compressor to hoses nd ducts are covered?

I am not sure how far you stay from Noida. But I would suggest take your car to Kashyap Noida workshop. Talk to Mr Sharma(Workshop manager in kashyap noida). Before moving to Kashyap motors he was in Him motor. He is having more than 30 years experience on fiat cars and quite helpful.

[blueblooded]

I am also having this issue of AC compressor cut off in stop and go traffic,but no problem whatsoever on highways .Moreover ,I dont hope that the present tata dealership would help me anyway so I am planning to give CLASSIC MOTORS(fiat authorised workshop)at Lucknow a shot .
regards
praveen singh

[coolkurt]

my car is due for service anyway, and I just heard about the 3 day camp. I've never attended one. what all is usually covered? Should I go or should o just give it for Service after the camp?

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

And i thought mine was a one-off case!

Had ordered for warranty replacement of the compressor more than a month ago. Parts yet to arrive! Seems like a common issue - we need to narrow it down to some common parts. Lets see if compressor is the faulty part as claimed by FASS.

Mine is a 2012 refresh 90HP (March 2012).

Guys,

Got the compressor replaced. Cooling feels improved, but I am yet to get an opportunity to test it in hot conditions. Will post a proper update once that is done and confirmed.

[coolkurt]

Good to hear that. Parts availability is an issue. I got my a/c repaired but I've yet to test it in extreme conditions. They were sidestepping my pleas of getting faulty parts replaced under extended warranty owing to scarcity of parts. Very poor service too. The service adviser did not even call me Once to provide information and changed parts without my go ahead. Tata was better imo