Climate Control question

[Leigh15]

I think there is an option for a ceramic heater as in the manual there is a large fuse marked for this purpose but i don't have this, perhaps in the winter pack(?)

Not sure if it's winter pack or just for countries with colder climates.

The A3 has an electric heater that runs for the first few minutes before the coolant warms up, meaning you get warm air near enough instantly from the vents (this is separate to the optional aux heater), but I'm guessing this may be a feature SEAT haven't fitted to help bring the costs down?

 

[stuartsjg]

Found something which may be of interest:

This is from a Chinese car AC manufacturer which many car manufacturers use, it shows the increase in cooling performance as the rev's increase.

If the AC comp is driven with a 1:1 ratio off the engine then you need 3000rpm to get maximum cooling.

These compressors can operate up to 6000rpm so for a diesel, they may have a ratio such that at 4000rpm the AC compressor is running at 6000rpm(?) not sure for certain.

Im thinking that below 1000rpm the unit may not operate, or should not operate.

I dont know who makes the seat unit, it may be this company as they appear to make for VW.

Stuart

 

[nc30rider]

Thanks for the continued ideas and suggestions



Air output at 6.5 degrees would be fine for me, but I don't think mine is anywhere close to that.

I'll let you all know what happens after the dealer visit next Wednesday. I presume they should have the means to check the actual temperature of air coming from the vents?

I usually take a reading before and after I do it, ask them to do this
My car was 8 degrees before and 6.5 afterwards
Sometimes more revs helps bring down the temp
Do your Rad fans cut in after a couple of minutes? If they don't usually a good sign something is wrong

 

[briantilley]

IDo your Rad fans cut in after a couple of minutes? If they don't usually a good sign something is wrong

I haven't noticed the radiator fans cutting in yet. On my previous car (an MG ZT), they came on after 60 seconds or so when idling, and were pretty loud. Are the Leon fans obvious when they are on? If mine are not cutting in, what might this mean, for the aircon and for anything else?

 

[nc30rider]

I haven't noticed the radiator fans cutting in yet. On my previous car (an MG ZT), they came on after 60 seconds or so when idling, and were pretty loud. Are the Leon fans obvious when they are on? If mine are not cutting in, what might this mean, for the air con and for anything else?

They are not very loud, but you should be able to hear them or see them turning when you open the bonnet.
Could be several reasons.
Lack of pressure in the system is prob the favourite. If the pressure is low then the compressor will not kick in
Can you hear the compressor clutch kicking in and out? A loud click
Get someone to start the car and turn on the air-con while you listen under the bonnet for the clutch

The machine I have at work will not let you fill the car with refrigerant if there is a leak. It pulls a vacuum and tests for leaks after removing the old refrigerant. Ask if theirs is the same. Fully auto machines are far superior to old manual ones

Another tip for cars that are difficult to get the air con working well in, is to re-gas while the engine is running with the air con turned on and the interior fan on full. This helps to get out as much as poss before the machine fills the car again with fresh refrigerant

Hope this helps

 

[briantilley]

Can you hear the compressor clutch kicking in and out? A loud click. Get someone to start the car and turn on the air-con while you listen under the bonnet for the clutch.

Thanks again!

I tried what you suggested with the bonnet open, and I can't hear any type of click when turning the aircon on or off, though as it's a TDI, the engine is quite loud and I might have missed it

I left the car running for 3-4 minutes at idle, and the rad fans didn't come on at all, but the temp gauge was still near minimum. I don't have any more time now, as I'm just going out.

Watch this space...

 

[nc30rider]

You would deffo here it
Fans come in with aircon on after a short while regardless of engine temp

 

[Bedlam]

So am I right in thinking that it should be possible to get the system to blow cooled air...?

Was playing with my Climatic Control today as bored.

Outside temperature was shown as 14.5C
I had reached 90C on temperature guage after about 8-10 miles in my 2.0 TFSI FR DSG

I then tried this
Set to "Auto" On (only)
Reduced passenger temperature to "LO"
Left the driver setting at "19.0"

Result
Icy cold out of left hand vent and left hand centre console vent
Warmer (than usual) out of right hand vent and right hand centre console vent

Am telling myself my Climatic Control passed with flying colours

 

[briantilley]

Update...

Just returned from the dealer's. After doing their diagnostics, they reckon the aircon compressor itself is out of action. They have ordered a replacement. Fingers crossed...

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions

 

[briantilley]

Just to complete the story, the car was back at the dealer today to have the aircon compressor replaced. It was ready when they said it would be, and everything now works fine

 

[coggie]

Great Stuff

Now for some more hot weather.....

 

[JoeF]

read my manual last night as ive just got it from seat 5 months late lol and like the poster ive always thought the air con was pants. How can i tell if its on?

the manual says press Econ to turn it off? so if ECON is on the display does this mean the aircon is off? or does Econ need to be on display for aircon to be on? should temp etc be auto? after reading the manual its confused me

 

[GainfulShrimp]

If it's on Auto and the temperature inside the car is hotter than you've chosen on the Climatronic (or you've set it to LO), then the air-con will be active.

Pressing Econ means that the Climatronic still attempts to get to the temperature you've set, but without using the compressor - hence improving economy slightly.

 

[JoeF]

So, saying that. What should i have it on if i want air con off ? and do most ppl have it on auto?

 

[FAST AL]

I run mine on econ when its not warm enough and set on 21 or 22.Just need to press econ on auto off then drop the fan speed down till aircon goes off.At least thats what I do.

 

[floridafil]

If you want air con off , you need ECON switched on.
ECONOMY mode = Aircon off, thus saving fuel.

Auto will attempt to maintain the set temperature within the vehicle, adjusting the airflow and temperature.

AUTO - Maintains set temperature automatically adjusting the airflow (will cool air)
AUTO + ECON - Maintains set temperature automatically adjusting the airflow (will NOT cool air)
ECON - Will NOT cool air. Will NOT automatically adjust airflow.

I leave mine on AUTO + ECON (Air-con off) with temp set at 20c
On hot days AUTO (Air-con on) with temp set at 20c