A/C recharge problem/question

Works like any other. How much oil was put back in if any? Got good airflow to the condenser? You guys did suck it out and leave a vacuum on before recharge right?

 

If the a/c condensor fan is not working, the system will run hot and you will see high pressure on the high side.

Check the fuse for the a/c condensor fan. The fan should come on as soon as you turn the a/c on.

If the fan doesn't come on, it could be a blown fuse, relay/wiring problem or the fan buggered.

Hope this helps to put you on the right track.

 

Condenser and fan live in front of the car. Peep down the hole in the right side of the front bumper. You'll see the condenser. When the fan is running, there is plenty of noise and suction at that inlet in the bumper. Check the front of the condenser for trash. I found some fossilized paper napkins blocking mine up. Fan won't run if the pressure switch doesn't see adequate pressure.

 

Evaporator is in the front and is part of the heater unit. Condenser is located at the driver's side rear as stated previously. Take a look in the climate control section of the owner's manual which has a layout of the system.

 

When am I going to learn check which car everybody drives before I go spouting off? it's as if we share this forum.... I stand corrected: 348 up front. 355 in da back.

 

LMAO!!!! The OP wants to devalue Ferraris that are worked on by DIYers, but then asks a bunch of DIYers for advice?!? How IRONIC is that? I love it!!!

I got some advice for the OP - Take it to a Ferrari dealer and have them give you the answer you are looking for, and pay them a 4-figure bill for it so you can "maintain" the value of your vehicle.

 

I just re-read the thread, and now realize that you were being sarcastic about making DIY 348/355 models salvage titles....and for that I apologize for my original comment in this thread.

 

Definitely get that fan going mate, will definitely solve the problem you are having.

As soon as that a/c clutch 'kicks in', that a/c condensor fan should work also.

It's not like an engine thermo fan that is controlled by engine coolant temp.

The a/c condensor fan works the entire time the a/c is running.

With the fan running, it keeps the a/c condensor cool which lowers a/c refrigerant temps which lowers the pressure in the system.

The high side pressure should sit around 250-300 psi. You will see higher "high side" a/c pressures in Summer and lower "high side" a/c pressures in winter.

 

Question,, wouldn't low refrigerant also cause the condenser fan not to come on?

 

Too easy mate, knew that would have fixed your problem.

Why did the fuse blow? Who knows man, fuses can blow with NO explanation.

Have seen it all over the years. I wouldn't stress too much about it.

The a/c high pressure switch will cut the a/c out before it blows a hose/oring if the pressure climbs too high.

If you notice the a/c is not performing well, check to see/hear that fan running. If it's not, then check that fuse again. If it's blown again then it sounds like that fan motor might on on it's way out or you have a wiring problem.

I think you will be fine though.

Nope, the a/c condensor fan always turns on when the a/c clutch kicks in.

If it's low on refrigerant, the a/c clutch will not kick in so the fan will not come on.

 

In the aviation business, we used to blame this on fruitrons. What is a fruitron?
A. A gay electron that goes around blowing fuses.

 

Lol, dear me.

 

These fans are well known for blowing fuses because they are old and draw more current. Once they start blowing fuses, you replace the fan as preventive maintenance.

 

On my 1990 348s, I noticed that even though the A/C clutch kicks in, and the car is blowing cold air (see the refrigerant through the sight glass, etc.) the condenser fan does NOT run all the time but cycles on/off. I always wondered whether this is due to low refrigerant.

 

Probably the only explanation for it.

Are you sure the fan doesn't cycle on and off with the a/c?

When the a/c comes on, the fan comes on.

When a/c cuts out because it reaches it's desired temp set by the thermostat, it will turn the fan off.

The a/c will still be blowing cold air as the evaporator is still cold.

When the a/c turns back on again, the fan comes on again also.

The condensor fan cycles on and off with the a/c compressor. Well, that's how 99% of these old style a/c systems work.

Newer cars have condensor fans that cycle at different speeds and come on and off when required. Not sure if that's how the newer Ferrari a/c systems work, but 'normal' cars are different these days.

 

Mine does the exact same, hence my earlier question. I'm no expert, but I'm assuming the fan on/off is dependent on the refrigerant temp. I'm saying this because when the car is in motion, even at 30mph, there is enough airflow to do the job of the fan. This is similar to the engine cooling system. Why needlessly run the fan when your doing 70 mph on the freeway.

Now, here is my theory. If the refrigerant is low, it does not produce enough heat to cause the fan to come on.

 

100% positive the condenser fan and compressor do not come on together and 100% sure on my car the compressor runs by itself.

 

Mine definitely comes on when I turn the a/c on.

The only explanation I can think of is that your cars might still have R12 gas in the system and the wiring is different to my car.

The condensor is very small in these cars and not very efficient to run R134.

By law in Australia, we have to run R134A. Since 1990 this has been the rule.

R12 systems run cooler than R134A. To run R134A the same, you have to fit a bigger condensor. Notice how big the a/c condensors are in new cars these days? Well, here in Australia anyway. We run R134A and the a/c condensor is almost as big as the radiator in every car these days.

The 348 has a very small cavity space for the a/c condensor, so not much room to fit anything bigger unfortunately.

I am wondering now if my fan turns on each time because it's wired to do so because I have R134A in my car. My car is a Euro spec, might have been wired differently to your US spec cars which would have came with R12 from factory. And you guys can continue to use R12 these days also which is great.

If the fan doesn't run all the time the a/c pressures would go through the roof and shut the compressor off. Especially here in my climate and with R134A.

And I actually I had a blown condensor fan fuse many years ago, just remembered. The a/c would cycle on and off so I knew there was a problem.

I put some gauges on it and the high side pressure went through the roof. I walked around the front and noticed the fan wasn't working.

Found a blown fuse. Replaced it, started it again and it was ok after that.

If you guys are running R134A and the fan only works when it wants to, then it still sounds like the system is wired differently to a Euro spec car like mine.

Very interesting stuff anyway.

 

Yes, mine is R12. Interesting...