| Author | Message | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 114 Registered: 3-2002 |
My AC system runs as you guys have described. I was a little confused after reading the owner's manual which, upon reading again, is just as DGS and Dave describes. The control is more of a regulator switch than a temperature swtich per se, like on domestic vehicles. Thanks fellas for the replies. One other thing, under highway speeds do you get fresh air coming through the side vents? Those are the long thin ones by the windshied. My control settings are at the closed positions but I still get air coming through the vents which obvioualy lessens the effect of the AC. | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Junior Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2003 |
If the 308 is like the 328, the thermostat uses an ammonia filled capillary tube to sense the temperature of the evaporator. It should cut out to prevent ice build-up on the evaporator. On my 328, the temperature at the evaporator would easily get down to 32F/0C if the compressor ran all the time, even if the car didn't get that cold. (At least it did before the last service, when the mechanic took in on himself to pump my R-12 system full of R-134.) (Well, he did "change oil and seals".) If the ammonia has leaked out of the capillary tube, then it might not click off until the center console reaches freezing -- which isn't likely in summer. With the ignition on and the engine off, you should be able to hear the click of the conpressor (electromagnetic) clutch as you twist the knob from hot to cold and back. There is an adjustment inside the thermostat which can adjust it a bit. Are you sure you have the original part there? If it's been changed before, it's possible that the capillary tube wasn't run to the condensor -- you have to pull a lot of the interior out to run that, and the installer might not have thought it worthwhile. If you need a new one, you can search the G.E.Industrial web site for an appliance thermostat that matches it. Or you could scarf one from an old Coke machine. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1158 Registered: 5-2001 |
Al, I was under the impression that the Ferrari system is a go/no go thermostat. That is, it does not control operating temp, just turns on/off the compressor as needed to maintain the desired temp in the car....not very sophisticated, but very Ferrari-like in operation... :-) Meaning not according to normal convention.... | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 113 Registered: 3-2002 |
No, it operates properly when I activate the switch. It just doesn't seem to change temperature, i.e., colder or warmer like in a domestic vehicle. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1156 Registered: 5-2001 |
Al, Hans is right here. If you turn on the ignition and turn the temp control, you can hear the click of the temp control kicking in, and on my 328, I can hear something click on the compressor in the engine compartment. If your doesn't do that, it may be stuck "on". Try removing the knob and spraying some electrical contact cleaner down the shaft. Careful, as the cleaner may react with the painted Borletti faceplate. Might be safer to remove the switch first.... My 328 switch was not turning "on", and so I cleaned it with electrical contact spray and it now works fine. | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1542 Registered: 4-2002 |
The temp control is a thermostat. It cycles the compressor on/off, depending upon the cabin temp. As a practical matter, the A/C is on all the time, as when does the cabin in a 308 series ever get cold? | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 105 Registered: 3-2002 |
John, for a second I thought my mom had replied!  | ||
| John Millard (Jmillard308)
New member Username: Jmillard308 Post Number: 29 Registered: 5-2003 |
Al Learn to live with it assuming it is cold enough | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 104 Registered: 3-2002 |
The temperature control for my AC doesn't seem to do much in the way of adjusting the temperature. The AC seems to be either on or off with a constant temperature. Is it supposed to do anything noticeable or is that just 308 ACs? I just had it serviced and it checked out ok. |