XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 ) 2003 - 2009

A/C blows hot air

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  #1  
Old 05-28-2023, 05:01 PM
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Default A/C blows hot air

Replaced the radiator, disconnected the condensor to remove it.
What a great idea to build the car around the radiator.
Friend A/C tech tried to recharge the system, after drawingg it down to 30 " vac
Watching the gauges, (his scale is broken) looking for 50 on low side. 250 on high to fill
At about 30 on the low side the high side spiked to over 350, W T F.
Let the charge out, going to get another scale on Tues.
Going to try to weigh the charge in, and see what happens.
Any ideas as to what is wrong would be appreciated.
The A/C worked great before opening it up.
Is there a filter that could be plugged, & if so where is it????????
 
  #2  
Old 05-28-2023, 05:20 PM
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Might be just the broken pressure gauge.

It might be 'more broken" than you realised!
 
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Old 05-29-2023, 05:44 AM
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Gauges, & equipment, are fine, but the A/C is not.
Was told to try pulling the orfice tube, to clean or replace.
I would try if i knew where it is located.
Any information would be much appreciated
 
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Old 05-29-2023, 11:00 AM
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No orifice tube in this system, it uses a TXV that's part of the evaporator inlet/outlet. Hoping your issue is just incorrect charge. Definitely needs to be charged by weight not by pressures. On top of the TXV the compressor is variable displacement, so lots of variables looking at the pressures. Ideally you want 30 psi low and around 225-250 psi high depending on ambient.

Evacuate and try again, system doesn't take much refrigerant (1 lb and change if I remember correctly).
 
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Old 05-29-2023, 11:02 AM
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I never had need to connect my set of manifold gauges to my 2005 Jaguar XJ8L's A/C system so I don't know what it would read on the high side. All I can tell you is that I wouldn't recharge the low side beyond 45. As for my suggestion, it might not hurt to call your local Jaguar dealership's service department to garner some tips as a phone call is cheap enough. I mean, it certainly wouldn't have been the first time that those Jaguar service mechanics had to evacuate and recharge the A/C systems.
 
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Old 05-29-2023, 02:11 PM
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In fact, I recharged the A/C system on my 2005 Jaguar XJ8L today, and sure enough, 45 seemed to have been the magic number on the low side. Actually, that was about about the time when I had pretty well expended a full can of R134a refrigerant.
 
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:43 PM
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Thanks to all, plan to try again tomorrow, with a scale this time.
 
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Old 05-30-2023, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Wingrider
Thanks to all, plan to try again tomorrow, with a scale this time.
Aim for 40 psi on low side depending on ambient temp.

Definitely charge based on freon weight into system, not pressures.
 
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Old 05-31-2023, 03:49 PM
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well after 1.5 lbs of 134A in under vaccume, & the air is still blowing hot.
P2516, & U2516 codes are persent checking the climate module
P2516 pressure sensor B, seems to have an issue.
The U2516 code is not listed.
Seems i heard somewhere a sensor.
Needs its terminals jumped across to restart the compressor.
Any input is appreciated
 
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Old 05-31-2023, 04:55 PM
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  #11  
Old 06-01-2023, 06:46 AM
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Does this indicate that the pressure switch needs to be replaced?
 
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Old 06-01-2023, 08:44 AM
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Has the compressor clutch been engaging while you were charging the system? In the old days, with the refrigerant in the system being low, one had to place a jump on the compressor clutch (positive terminal of the clutch to the positive terminal of the battery) in order to charge the system. In the case of the Jaguar, perhaps you might have to remove the compressor clutch relay (if it has one),, and simply place a jump across the NO contactor on the relay socket itself? There are youtube videos that show this. Mind you, I haven't seen the wiring diagram of the Jaguar AC cooling system so you might want to check this out thoroughly before making such an attempt. Personally, I never tried to do this on my 2005 Jaguar XJ8L as the refrigerant level was never that low so I can't tell you first hand what the outcome would be.
 
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Old 06-01-2023, 09:16 AM
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The compressor is clutchless (sort of, it's a viscous clutch that's always coupled to the belt)--the face of the compressor will always be spinning with the engine, not like a clutch design. The variable compressor is always belt driven and can change output from 0 to 100% based on input from the PCM (swashplate design). That code may need to be cleared for the PCM to engage the compressor again. I assume after you charged 1.4 lbs that the high and low side are both showing 100-120psi static pressure?

Or the sensor on the high side may be bad. This sensor is right there on the pipe next to the radiator lower hose--possible it got damaged or unplugged during the rad swap?

Edit: the U2516 code in the factory manual refers to a CAN bus fault, not a failure of the high side pressure sensor. The high side pressure sensor feeds directly to the PCM, that sets a different code.


If the pressure sensor was open or missing, it would set a code P0532 (or a P0533 for low side sensor).


 

Last edited by mhamilton; 06-01-2023 at 09:57 AM.
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Old 06-01-2023, 11:05 AM
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That may very well be, but either way the compressor has to be pumping refrigerant throughout the system, and I would predict that is not happening. Actually, it seemed to me that I could hear (what appeared to be a clutch) engaging while I was recharging the AC system on my 2005 Jaguar XJ8L last Monday. Then again, the system wasn't evacuated either. Well, whatever the case, the OP has to get that compressor running in order for the AC system to cool again.
 

Last edited by Rickkk; 06-01-2023 at 11:07 AM.
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Old 06-01-2023, 12:54 PM
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The sensor was unplugged before taking the radiator out.
Does that matter???
Unhooked everything that looked to maybe be in the way
Was concerned it could fall & break the connection
Pressure is much lower about 20 low side 25 high side.
This is as it sets, with everything still hooked up, from charging.
 

Last edited by Wingrider; 06-01-2023 at 01:00 PM.
  #16  
Old 06-01-2023, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Wingrider
The sensor was unplugged before taking the radiator out.
Does that matter???
Unhooked everything that looked to maybe be in the way
Was concerned it could fall & break the connection
Unplugged during the repairs? Shouldn't make a difference. Even if that set a code, when you plugged it back in it would clear itself. Do you have a scan tool that can show you live data from the PCM? I'm curious if you're getting a reading from the high side sensor, since it's right next to where the previous repairs were made.

Do your gauges show any pressure differential with the system running? I agree with Rickkk, if the compressor isn't working you'll of course have no cooling. What is preventing the compressor from running is the question...

It's concerning that your climate module is setting a CAN bus comm error. Did you try the old "disconnect the battery" and see if that would help? I can't imagine anything you did around the radiator would upset the CAN network.
 

Last edited by mhamilton; 06-01-2023 at 01:03 PM.
  #17  
Old 06-01-2023, 04:50 PM
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Compressor is not running, pressure is 25 on both sides.
Ambient tempertature air, i should have fraised the title different.
 
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Old 06-02-2023, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Wingrider
Compressor is not running, pressure is 25 on both sides.
Ambient tempertature air, i should have fraised the title different.
If pressure is 25psi on both high and low sides, the system is empty. The controller is locking out the compressor due to low pressure. You should see 90-120psi at ambient with a full charge of R134a. What is your outside temperature, over 70F?
 
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Old 06-02-2023, 10:52 AM
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The readings have now dropped back to 20 low, 25 high side.
After things cooled down from running.
Don't understand how the system is empty.
Just where did the 1.5 lbs of 134A go???
Talked to the best local A/C guy around for cars.
In the area for almost 50 years now.
Have never heard a bad word, said about him ever.
Have heard nothing but praise for years.
But he stays away from all the high end European cars.
So am in a bit of a fix here, just where i could go for an answere.

 
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Old 06-02-2023, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Wingrider
The readings have now dropped back to 20 low, 25 high side.
After things cooled down from running.
Don't understand how the system is empty.
Just where did the 1.5 lbs of 134A go???
Talked to the best local A/C guy around for cars.
In the area for almost 50 years now.
Have never heard a bad word, said about him ever.
Have heard nothing but praise for years.
But he stays away from all the high end European cars.
So am in a bit of a fix here, just where i could go for an answere.
When you removed the condenser, did you replace the o-rings on the line set?

You said you are pulling the system into a vacuum... how long does it hold vac at 29in.hg. for?

Can you post a picture of the gauge set you are using?
 


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