456 aircon issue

George- The maintenance schedule calls for changing the fllter/dryer every 2 years, pulling a good vacuum, and refilling with refrigerant and oil. Hardly anybody does that, so the A/C gradually loses its effectiveness. Do the basic maintenance first and see if that fixes the problem. There are receiver/filter/dryers available in the $50 range that will work as well as the $250-300 one Ferrari sells.

The A/C techs can do a leak check while they service it.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

When an AC is not used frequently the seals tend to dry out and leak. That's why you should turn on the AC at least once a week even in the winter.

 

The clutch of the compressor may not engage.
Happened to me a few months ago.

 

Want to try a cheap fix? 1 small can of leak sealer with dye. 2 cans of R134A,or 3 ,till air blows cold. Check for dye stains around the joints or condensor. If cold, serve and enjoy. If warm, spend money. Bad consequences ane not the responsibility of this writer,but it works for me(Ferrari,Jaguar,Porsche,Mitsubishi,Touareg,Landcruiser)

 

Perhaps the clutch is not 'kicking in' George.

You will have to try and look and listen for the clutch kicking in.

If you cant notice it kicking in, it may be a sticking relay for the a/c compressor.

Or it may be kicking in, but does not blow cold air because it is low on gas.

Or...........it may NOT be kicking in because there is no gas in the system.

Best to put some gauges on the system mate and go from there.

 

It is part of the compressor, actually behind the pulley that turns the compressor.
Therefore you may not see it as a separate item, however you may have a perfectly good compressor that does not need to be replaced if only the clutch is faulty.
It all depends on who works on the system and if in your area, the necessary parts are available individually or only as a whole.

 

Here is a vid of an a/c compressor having the clutch kick in and out.

Watch this vid and you will understand what I am talking about mate.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp8pXmlFq_w[/ame]

 

The clutch on the compressor cycles the compressor at a rate depending on the load required to keep the cabin cool. On simple A/C systems, that may be no more than a timer depending on what setting you have selected. On climate control systems, the clutch is engaged and fan speed is changed by an ECU with temperature sensors, and possibly sun (IR) sensors, to regulate the temperature to the one selected on the control panel.

Easy to tell whether the clutch is engaged or not. Just look at the compressor and see if it is turning or not. Turn it off and on to tell the difference. If no difference, bad wiring, relay, or clutch.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Owning a Ferrari and using it regularly is a "work in progress" and I say this with a smile on my face.

 

How did you go mate? Have time to investigate?

 

A couple of more tips:
What makes the clutch tick (or stick rather) is a circular shaped coil contained in the pulley.
When mine went bad, a couple of months ago, the shop where I took my car was able to source an identical coil from another compressor.
The compressor itself is a common compressor, used on other vehicles as well, therefore it is not necessary to buy it from Ferrari, as that would command a premium.
Good luck.
A.

 

Did they inspect the system for a leak mate?

The low pressure switch kills the power to the clutch to stop the a/c compressor working to prevent any damage to the compressor.

Kinda like a fail-safe. Glad to hear it's sorted and I hope there isn't a leak.