[Ricky_63]

Hi

Just trying to figure out the possible cause for the mis-behaviour of the Airconditioner on my Lancer.

Since the past 8-10 days, the A/c just switches off on its own, when the A/c is started there is a SCREECHING sound from the engine bay, then that settles, the cooling is OK & then suddenly even at cruising speeds sometimes the compressor just shuts up, so I have this blast of hot air in the 40 degrees Delhi heat.........

Just want to know the possible of causes of this behaviour, any clues or solutions to similar similar experiances welcome

Thanks

[mclaren1885]

Check the AC compressor belt .. That is where the screeching sound maybe coming from and the root cause for the AC malfunctioning ..

[danlalan]

Well i have just faced this similar problem today...and by just i mean around 1/2 hour ago...been happening all day today actually...when the car(ikon 1.6) is at stanstill suddenly out of nowhere its as if the a/c has been shutoff with and the heater has been turned on..automatically.....and then it goes back to cooling again..

[esteem_lover]

AC compressor belt, as pointed out by MCL is the reason for the noise & maybe for the comp switching off also. Change the belt or have it lubricated.

[streetlife]

Had the same problem with my palio 1.2 and rectified. the switch that controls cooling to heating was stuck from behind and thus giving hot air. Was a simple problem and took onlty 20 mins to rectify...

[Jaggu]

check belt it should be fine.
if belt ok and even then screech sound means ur ac compressor clutch unit is packing up

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Check the AC compressor belt .. That is where the screeching sound maybe coming from and the root cause for the AC malfunctioning ..

Thanks for your response. Will have the same checked & hopefully get this sorted out....it's horrible for the A/c to behave like this in 40 degree tempratures

Cheers

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

check belt it should be fine.
if belt ok and even then screech sound means ur ac compressor clutch unit is packing up

Really do hope it's not the clutch,........all the belts are new as they were ALL replaced when we re-built the entire car...... I was to get the belts re-checked & tightened after the initial 500 kms, so hopefully should get sorted out......

Thanks for your help

Cheers

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

AC compressor belt, as pointed out by MCL is the reason for the noise & maybe for the comp switching off also. Change the belt or have it lubricated.

Hi

Like I said ALL belts are new, maybe they need to be tightened up. Is lubrication a good idea ?? I hought the belts are NEVER lubricated as they tend to slip Not very sure though.

Thanks all the same

[Absar]

On my Ford Ikon 1.6, when I had this very same problem without the screeeching sound, it was the fault of the water diverter valve.

-Absar

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by ricky63

Really do hope it's not the clutch,

He meant the AC compressor clutch.
Not the engine-gearbox clutch.

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by nitrous

He meant the AC compressor clutch.
Not the engine-gearbox clutch.

Ya ya thanks but I did understand that it is the compressor clutch

[arunforu1]

HI Ricky,

1. for screeching sound get the belt tension adjusted, its easy & 5min job.
2. From your information it is evident that A/C is working fine, but suddenly cuts off.
a)The culprit is thermostat switch behind control panel, get it checked/replaced
b)get the heat exchanger fins(mechanics call it a/c radiator), cleaned with pressurised water.

it should solve your problem, i dont think there is a big issue like a/c clutch mech, failing.

[tsk1979]

Get the thermostat checked. If your engine thermostat is indicating hot engine it will cut off the AC.
Other cause could be debris in your bumper grill. This means your ACcompressor heats up. A blast of water at the bumper cures this.

[Ricky_63]

@arun the culprit should be the belt as far as i can tell, or maybe the thermostat. thanks

@tsk - the engine thermostat is fine it does not cross the 1/2 mark ever & there are no debris in the bumper grill or radiator or the heat exchanger. The culprit most likely is the belt - having that tightened should sort it out.
Thanks