dannytheG

Hi after some help/ advice my 2004 focus 1.6 ghia has a strange problem when the air con is turned on the air con / rad fan cuts in very fast like car overheating within 30 seconds of air con being switched on. then will stop after 10 seconds but start again within 30 seconds. any thoughts Dan

johnwilks

the condenser fan at front(coil at rad is for ac) is going on and off because of pressure switch, could be short of gas(refrigerant) usual cause of cycling, check that compressor is going on and off the same cycle as the front fan and this is almost defo the prob,, needs a re-charge, good idea to try and leak find as well to cure prob, get ac/refrigeration eng'r to look at it as a homer, I do them all the time

dannytheG

the compressor is coming on and off makes click noise. system was re-gassed not too long ago with a uv dye put in so this should find any leak. if isn't leak or low of gas. where too start then?

johnwilks

without seeing it im only guessing but, still looks like the pressure switch,, could it be that your system still has the same leak it had before, many will just simply re-charge without looking for a leak, the UV leak system only works if you have the light and goggles to check the fluid, you cant see small leaks with your eyes, also the pressure switch will still operate under high pressure conditions, such as blocked or choked condenser coil,
this is the coil at front of car next to radiator, also there is a drier in the pipework, to remove moisture in the gas itself, this can become wet and choke giving trips, check internal fan is ok and works on all speeds, also there is no blockage at the air in at the footwell,
does all the air vents work as they should, and is the air coming out the vent on cold setting actually cold, without a temperature probe there is not much more you can do, the big aluminium pipe going into the compressor should feel cold to touch while the small pipe coming out of it should be hot to touch,
try the above and let me know,

dannytheG

ok will do off on holiday tommorow for couple weeks. done checks i could do the fan works on all speeds and all directions. and pipes hot and cold going in and out of compressor. and car is ice cold inside with air con on. anythin now will have to be done by air con specialist hope they can sort out when back

johnwilks

sorry could not be more help but could be a few things that without the equipment you will struggle to go much further,
hope you get there, as i said ask anyone in the many vans going about if they can do it or put you on to someone, will save a fair bit rather than going to a company.