Hi, recently the air compressor for my air conditioner stopped working (the air cond. system works, except no longer cold air). It had been working fine, slow but it did get cold. I have checked the fuse in the fuse box near the steering wheel.
I did some cleaning in the engine bay and are wondering if the red wire showing is supposed to be connected to the compressor?
I believe it's the original as it's an ApcoAir R12 compressor. I understand I will probably need to update it in the near future.
Clayton

 

Mine did that a couple years ago, the problem was a hinkey relay that activates the clutch. It clicked but didn't work.
So if your clutch isn't engaging you might want to check that out. Mine is mounted on the nose of the compressor, I wouldn't know where they stuck yours. It's powered by a light green wire from the Servo.

If that's the only problem. you could charge it with Propane/Butane (Enviro-Safe for example) and have a system that works like new and more environmentally friendly than anything labeled Freon.

(';')

 

Thanks LnrB,
I have a feeling its the clutch not engaging .I'll have a look for the Hinkey relay.
I'm not confident re charging it,
I have managed to get in contact with someone to have a look (who knows our cars). He is suppose to come past in a couple of days, finger crossed..

 

Charging the first time is a bit trepiditious but it's not really that hard.
The company that sells the refrigerant has kits for the correct charge hose with Full and Complete instructions how to do it. I was actually quite impressed because the first time I charged one I had no such kit.

Once you've don it and it works as stated, you'll wonder why you waited so long
(';')

 

Depending on the compressor, there is either a Superheat switch or a pressure switch. They are the low charge protection, so if the refrigerant leaks out it protects the compressor from damage. The switches prevent the clutch from engaging if there is insufficient refrigerant.

If you have the superheat type protection, it melts and has to be replaced, the pressure switch will close again when there is sufficient refrigerant charge. The wire will be going to one of those switches. However, it looks like it has a splice on it and might just go to ground, in which case the protection is bypassed. If you have to change from R12, there is no need to change the compressor. The A6 is a tough ( but power hungry) compressor.

There is nothing unique or Jaguar specific about the refrigeration side of the AC system, any AC place should be able to diagnose a low charge and recharge the system.

 

Thanks .
Update:
The specialist managed to come past today. The wire shown in above picture we taped up as we don't know what it is for, but there was another spliced wire also disconnected.
It is not shown in the above picture but near the clutch there is a small connecting plug where it had come off. Reconnected and it worked, bloody hard to see though!
He checked the pressure of the gas and it was a little low, but kept constant meaning no leakage. I was lucky as he had some R12 and added some gas, now it is the coldest it had been.
I was lucky I dodged a bullet and his charge was minimal. I will add the picture of where the connection is later (forgot to take a picture).

 

This was the culprit, easy fixed once you know where. You can' see the connection from the top as its hidden behind the bolt and I missed it while feeling around there.

 

AHA!! GOTCHA!
I'm glad you found it.
(';')

 

Definitely not a factory connection, the original was a plastic plug that held both wires.

 

Which doubtless disintegrated decades ago.
It should look like this:

(';')

 

That would have been a lot easier to find!.
As mentioned I believe some non-factory work there, and green wire connects to the fan at front of the radiator which works when air con is turned on..

 

You're right! That Ain't Factory!
Might be a good idea though.
(';')

 

If that is a mod, it is a very good idea, a pusher fan in front of the condenser makes it far more effective. On my XJS there is just no room to put one in as the space is taken up by a body cross brace.