Aircon problem 159 jtdm 2.4

Nikola78 · January 16, 2014, 05:19:33 PM

Hi there.
Having a trouble with my aircon those hot days.Driver side blowing cold enough while passenger side blowing hot air from the engine.Ive tried to change the settings auto-manual full auto same result.
Checked it with multiecuscan shows no errors but while checking the actuators says left mixing actuator not present while right is working.
Any ideas what can be the issue or is there any easy fix such as cable disconected or I should see a 'specialist'?
Any help welcomed.

alfamisa · January 17, 2014, 03:35:53 PM

No experience with the 159 HVAC system but with other vehicles so logic suggests it is likely to be either the cable to the actuator or vacuum tube or even the linkage disconnected for the scan to show "not present".

colcol · January 17, 2014, 07:52:57 PM

You may have had a vacumn tube come off or an actuator not working, try having the system running and change the settings from demist - face - floor, and listen to hear any hissing or flaps opening or shutting, like if you hear some noises coming from the drivers side where it all works and then no noise on the passenger side, then something is not working that side, it could also be a dud climate control, these have been known to fail on 156's and 147's, [made by Delphi, former General Motors Company], Colin.

Nikola78 · January 26, 2014, 11:06:46 PM

Thanks guys.It ended up being just a lack of gas in the system. Apparently when gas comes too low one side just stops cooling. The guy who was working on said that is common thing with 159s.He also said that it has never been topped up before so its good it lasted for 6 years.
Now its all good costed me only $165.
Hopefully someone can find this helpfull and not stress too much as I did that its not some bigger problem.
Cheers

colcol · January 27, 2014, 12:45:50 AM

Thats a good story, on 147's and 156's the climate control switches have been known to fail and cause all sorts of drama's, my 156 has never been regassed and is 12 years old, but it needed doing, one thing to look for when getting your airconditioner is to have the receiver drier changed, that is a black or silver can at the front of the car, that removes all the moisture from the system, it is about the size of a beer can.
Also have the system evacuated to remove all the moisture and air from the system, the airconditioner in the 159 is a good system, compared to a 156 anyway!, Colin.

wantok · January 27, 2014, 10:05:48 AM

My father has had two 159's and the climate control unit on both of them has had to be replaced (under warranty fortunately) so there is obviously a weak link there.

colcol · January 27, 2014, 02:57:47 PM

The 147 and 156 climate control switches / assembly are made by DELPHI, that used to be the electrical division of General Motors, called DELCO, it was then subjected to a managment buyout, .....they went into receivorship during the last financial crisis, but was kept going, the usual problem with the climate controls is the knobs that freewheel and won't stay on the settings you put them on, Colin.

oz3litre · March 20, 2014, 03:13:32 PM

The air conditioner on our 2.4 JTDM ran out of gas recently because the bloody tupperware engine cover wore a hole through the high pressure pipe due to inadequate clearance. I recommend checking your cars and opening up a bit more clearance under there. Fortunately the pipe was able to be welded.

colcol · March 20, 2014, 10:16:26 PM

If the pipe was welded i hope they did a perfect job as the R134 gas is very fine and finds very small holes to leak out of, make sure the pipe was leak tested after it was regassed.
When i need a new aircon hose, i usually go to a large airconditioning service and spare parts centre, and they will usually make one up on the spot, if the flexiable hose is leaking, they replace the rubber hose and reuse the end fittings, Colin.

oz3litre · March 21, 2014, 09:21:46 AM

Quote from: colcol on March 20, 2014, 10:16:26 PM
If the pipe was welded i hope they did a perfect job as the R134 gas is very fine and finds very small holes to leak out of, make sure the pipe was leak tested after it was regassed.
When i need a new aircon hose, i usually go to a large airconditioning service and spare parts centre, and they will usually make one up on the spot, if the flexiable hose is leaking, they replace the rubber hose and reuse the end fittings, Colin.

I haven't got it back yet because my mechanic hurt his back the other day, but hopefully it will be OK. We also had to get a crack in the oil cooler welded. It was leaking near one of the hose connections where it was welded in the factory. We don't know for sure what caused that but it could have been a poor weld from new. Interestingly the cooler is made by KTM.