AC Is Quirky As Always | Page 2 | FerrariChat

AC Is Quirky As Always

Discussion in '308/328' started by Lawrence Coppari, Apr 9, 2019.

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  1. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    Dang! If Ferrari had had access to some PVC pipe, maybe we would have better AC! :)
     
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  2. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,149
    Kingsport, TN
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    Lawrence A. Coppari
    The quirky thing is still working properly so I cannot check for absent voltage. I took it for a 45 minute drive a little while ago with no problem. The fuse box cover is off as I drive so I can hear the relays activating when it cycles. The weather is quite dry lately but that could be only a coincidence. It will fail again so I'll check the voltages when that happens. Thank you for your assistance in this long term matter.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    I live in Texas and used to live in a hot portion of California. I never use the TR A/C at full output.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    You have evidently never looked at the unmitigated garbage Mercedes uses then.
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Understood. This is a common "problem" when chasing an electrical gremlin -- just getting in to make some measurements can wiggle things around enough to change the situation. If it's not broke, you can't fix it, but you'll know where to look if the trouble happens again to try to diagnosis its location better.
     
  6. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
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    Tallahassee, FL
    I think those vaccum-operated windows were the result of a wager. "Bet you can't..." "Challenge accepted."
     
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    Vacuum? Never seen a vacuum operated window in my life.
     
  8. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Was it the door locks and not the windows? My memory is twitchy today.
     
  9. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Door locks.

    The 600s had hydraulic windows. Expensive but no noise, very fast and worked perfectly. Our E55 widows are laughably cheap. Junk.
     
  10. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #35 moysiuan, Apr 11, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
    It is possible the bimetallic temperature sensor switch at the condensor fan has failed. The condensor fan would not acivate when it is supposed to, the pressure would quickly build in the system and then overheat and its self protection pressure switch would cut the compressor off. If you drive on the highway, it would work, as the air flow through the condensor would be sufficient, but as you slowed down, the overheat and pressure build would cut it out.

    The symptom was intermittant cooling and compressor operation, seemingly random as you have described. The condensor fan would randomly go on and off, so appeared to function, but was not responsive to the correct temperatures signals and so was not functioning when it was actually needed.

    The switch is no longer available. But I was able to get a substitute that has worked for me. Here is the link to my old thread.

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ac-condensor-fan-questions.554436/#post-145429902
     
  11. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,149
    Kingsport, TN
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    Lawrence A. Coppari
    Thanks for the input moysiuan and I'll keep this available for future reference if necessary. I do not think this applies in my case because the system at times will not engage the clutch WITHOUT the engine having been previously run. Thus it could not possibly be over-pressurized.

    I drove the vehicle for about an hour this morning with the AC system on full cold. I caught a bunch of lights red but the compressor never cut off. I can tell if the compressor is running because I have a digital thermometer stuck in the duct at the center of the dash. Temperature in the duct rises quickly when compressor cuts off.

    Fortunately or unfortunately the system is working fine again. Rain and humidity are coming. Maybe that'll get it to act up again enabling me to find the culprit. It has been working properly for the past two days.
     
  12. Sigmacars

    Sigmacars Formula Junior
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    Jul 19, 2006
    943
    Toronto
    Good info what was the Open and Closed Temperature you got
     
  13. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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  14. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,149
    Kingsport, TN
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    Lawrence A. Coppari
    After several days of working properly last night it began raining so humidity is high in the garage. After turning the ignition key to run but not to start, the clutch clicked on when I activated the blower switch with the temperature control switch not in the off position. Then I lowered the temperature control switch all the way CCW and the clutch clicked off as it should. Upon turning it back on nothing happened (This is what happens when system quits working.). I picked up my multimeter and was about to check voltages when the clutch clicked back on. Now it is working properly again with both the temperature control and blower switches activating the clutch as they should. I know it is not the clutch because last week during testing, there was no voltage at the high low pressure switch when the system was on the fritz. Grrrrrrrr!
     
  15. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran
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    Jul 16, 2011
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    I converted my QV to R134 and a Sandan compressor. I have found that the air produced by this system is cold. I have discovered that indeed there is a problem with airflow. Not the direction of it but rather the lack of it in the cabin. There is no venting for the cold air coming in to displace the warm air in the cabin. Short of putting in some kind of flapper valve to allow air out of the cabin I found that cracking open the windows a hair made all the difference in the world. I recommend trying this simple solution. It will put a smile on your face.
     
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  16. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,149
    Kingsport, TN
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    Lawrence A. Coppari
    My quirky AC is still working properly. Never found the problem. The AC has never consistently worked for this length of time in years.
     
  17. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    Hmmm...must be different on the 308 than the 328. The ac on my 328 recycles interior air through the AC evaporator. The evaporator squirrel cage blower draws air in from the footwell on the passenger side. There is no outside-air connection/intake to the evaporator. Since the AC system doesn't pull in air from the outside, cracking a window on my 328 lets cool air out and allow hot air in. :(
     
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  18. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran
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    Excellent point and it may very well be the same on the 308. That being said if it is the cracking of the window is effective in the 308 and the reason may be that the squirrel cages recycle hotter interior air from our terrible heat coming in under the dash and footwell area?
     
  19. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran
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    I just had my interior redone and had dynamat installed way under the problem area. I will try not cracking the windows on the first hot day I’m out in the car and see if it’s more like your 328. I’ll report back my findings.
     

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