Delay in aircon kicking in

[cjrm1]

I don't know if this is a sign that the compressor is on the way out, but the system was regassed 2 years ago.

When you click the aircon on, its sometimes takes a while before the airconditioning kicks in? Should I be concerned and be thinking about new compressors etc or just a regas

Thanks

[MarkyM]

I've got a 96 and non of the history points towards a regass in that time.

What I was surprised at was that after an engine coolant empty/flush through with hose/refill with water and coolant flush and drain/refill my aircon is blowing about 5 degrees colder.

I know that the aircon system uses the heat from the heater matric to dehumidify the air-con air and can only think that it was gummed up and now cleared.

Give that a try first as it's the cheapest option.

Regards

Mark

[mike020150]

Hi cjrm1, Have you tried the system self test procedure? I haven't been able to verify this procedure specifically for the XK8 but I have used it on other models. Simultaneously hold the auto and recirc buttons and switch on the ignition. Press auto and any fault codes should be displayed. Press face to scroll through them. Press fan to exit the self test routine. 0 means no fault codes. 22 or 23 usually warn of low gas pressure. Mike.

[cjrm1]

Mike this seems like a sensible first step. Thanks. Chris

[AndrewS]

Hi - thanks for posting the procedure for the air-con self-test. Very helpful. The heating on my 1997 XK8's air-con is slow and erratic to kick in, but when it does it's very hot (so either hot or cold really, not great in between).

Anyway, I did the self-test and I got 3 error codes flashing up: 24, 43 and 46. I can't find out what these mean. Does anybody know what they mean or how I could fine out? Thanks in advance.

Andrew

[mike020150]

Hi Andrew,
Codes 43 and 44 note that the cool air bypass and the foot vent servoes are not performing to spec. The servoes may be defective or there may be wiring faults associated with them. Code 24 refers to a similar problem with the potentiometer circuit which controls the temperature differential between the upper and lower vents. The panel codes are a crude guide to problems. The dealer based JDS or Autologic systems should be able to produce a clearer indication of the specific fault(s). Mike.

[AndrewS]

Thanks very much Mike. Appreciated.