Air con problem and blower relay mod

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 24 May 2010, 13:25

Hello all this is my first post. Ive been looking at the site for a couple of days and decided to join today.

First off my problem lied with the aircon and fans cutting out. So i did the relay mod, which got the fans up and working plus the light for the aircon to go on.
Now the comppressor for the air con does not kick in when i press the button but the light does. Also the rear demister does not work and the light does not on that either.

Before i rush down the garage with all my cash that i have not got i would like to put it to you guys, as you seem to know what your talking about.

Many thanks Dan.

Post by **Paul-R** » 24 May 2010, 14:35

Would help to know what car...

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 24 May 2010, 14:39

Oh yes , its a peugeot 406 1.9td , 1997.

Thanks i did mean to put that in but i forgot.

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 25 May 2010, 08:22

No one on the forum that can help then.

Post by **Paul-R** » 25 May 2010, 10:08

I don't know what the relay mod is that you're talking about but my best guess would be that the air-con has lost too much refrigerant and the low pressure switch has cut in to stop the compressor from turning.

How long since the A/C worked? Was it getting feeble at blasting out the cold air?

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 25 May 2010, 11:40

Is there a seperate relay for the air con that i can check?

Post by **Paul-R** » 25 May 2010, 12:33

Sorry, no idea about the 406 - I was just answering generally.

How long since it worked and how good was it when it did work?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 25 May 2010, 12:36

You have two issues.

1. Rear screen heater relay not being activated. Most likely due to the ignition switch being burnt out, hence the need to do the relay mod. I had this problem on Cassy, it suddenly fixed itself a few months ago though, then the starter solenoid has been playing up so need to fit a relay for that. Basically my ignition switch is on its way out, and it sounds like yours is too.
It would probably be worth starting a thread on that issue in the Peugeot section, or even the Citroen area (as it's more popular) seeing as the issue is common to both, and it's not aircon related

2. Air con compressor clutch not engaging, as Paul said, if you don't have any gas in the system then it won't engage. Find a reasonably priced aircon specialist to service it, or if money's tight use kwik fit (cheaper to get it regassed in the winter through them too).

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 25 May 2010, 16:24

Thanks for your responses.
The aircon was working before this happened and was keeping the car reasonably chilled. Not as chilled as it could be i expect.

Could the air con stop working because it needs a regas and the ignition switch burn out at the same time?

Also the demister going as well wich makes up 3 things going wrong at once.

Has me doing the relay mod now sorted the ignition switch problem?
Or can more go wrong with the ignition.

Only had the car 8 months and had new clutch, timing belt kit, fuel pump seals done, new tyres. Variious other problems as well hopefully most of the worst is out of the way. But if this is going to cost the earth i might get rid.

Thanks for your help.

Post by **admiral51** » 25 May 2010, 20:33

Hi
This may or may not help but assuming the 406 and Xantia of similar vintage have the same setup then have a look atThis Topic.
As a note of caution if you do bridge the wires and get the compressor to kick in only do it for a second or so.It will prove that the compressor works and that the switch (HP/LP) on the dryer bottle is doing its job.
It could also be a faulty plug/connection on the compressor itself.
The A/C will never kick in if the interior fan is not switched on (under normal conditions

) so when your HRW and fans were inop then although the A/C button would show as being on the check list for the A/C was not complete.
Now you have done the ignition switch mod then following the steps in the link you should be able to narrow down the problem.

Hope this helps in some way although the info is all from Xantia and not a 406

Colin

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 25 May 2010, 23:26

Thanks for that, i will check the compressor is working tommorow.

I think it will work, if it does then its the relay in the bitron sensor, am i right?

Thanks for your time at this.

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 27 May 2010, 17:06

The pin from the dryer has 4 wires-all are thin. They have numbers on, would be good if i could know what numbers to bridge.
Also the fans do not cut in when the a/c button is pressed or at any other time to do with a/c. Could this mean something?

Post by **admiral51** » 27 May 2010, 21:13

If you bridge the wire on the outside edge with the one next to it (either edge

) then you have paired them up.One pair is for the fans,the other for the compressor.Well they are on the Xantia,dont see why it should be different on a 406 but it is Frech

Do the cooling fans operate ok in normal use,when the temp gets a bit high.

If you look at the pic you can see the brown sensor plug on the thermostat housing.With engine running if you unplug this plug the fans should both start to spin on slow speed for a couple of seconds before both going full speed.Its important that both fans should behave the same

That test will narrow down possible faults

Colin

Highlife82 · Post by **Highlife82** » 27 May 2010, 21:24

Thankyou you have been really helpfull. i will set about it tommorow.