Air Conditioning stopped working

[AndrewClarke]

Hi. I noticed the other day that my air conditioning seems to have stopped working. It's not something I'll need much for the next few months but I'd still like to fix it or at least know what's wrong. I've also heard this bubbling sound for the last month or so when I start the engine. Now I hear it pretty much all the time. It's even recently been drowning out all those voices. I'm wondering if the bubbling sounds and the AC issues are related. I think my AC compressor is coming on, as my auxiliary cooling fan comes on and the tachometer drops when I press the A/C button.

Can anybody diagnose what the problem is and what I need to do to fix it? Oh yeah it's a '96 D1.

Thanks,
- Andrew.

 

[Str0ud]

Sounds like you are way low on coolant.

 

[RoverChic]

Does the bubble noise come from the glove-box side?? If so I would add some coolant to the expansion tank provided that its not full, heater on blowing when you add it too. I like to do a 50/50 Coolant Mix with Distilled water (Opinions will vary on this). 1996 should use the green stuff.

 

[Str0ud]

Yeah, What Chic said.

 

[AndrewClarke]

Yeah, the sound sounds like it's coming from just in front of the glove box. So I can add coolant myself, eh? I'll have to figure that one out and do it.

Thanks for your help!

- Andrew.

 

[RoverChic]

I'm wondering if the bubbling sounds and the AC issues are related.

I am not sure if the two are indicative to one another.

What I might suggest is that you also make sure you do not have a heater core leak, hence the bubbling sounds heard on start up.

 

[AndrewClarke]

Thanks again. Now just pretend you're talking to someone who's a complete, bumbling imbecile when it comes to auto mechanics ... no, on second thought no need to pretend ... I'm trying to learn and do more things myself though, so how exactly does one check for (and fix) a heater core leak?

- Andrew.

 

[SandMan]

Andrew, I doubt you have a heater core leak, you'd know it by the time you typed your second question.

Like my astute co-members have said, most likely you are low on coolant. This rushing water sound that makes you want to go pee, does it happen when you start the rig?

Thought so. Take it from someone who uses a lot of coolant (and NOT because of leakage), find the big bottle under the bonnet with the filler top marked coolant (not the washer tank marker washer). Add until the level is at MAX. Like RoverChic stated, add while the engine is running, warm and best with the heater on. You are done.

Now, about that AC problem...you did not give much to go on, but I'm thinking it is lack of refrigerent. Now that we know your state of mechanical abilities, I'd take that AC problem to the shop. I'd hate to have you putting refrigerent into the high pressure tube! OUCH!

SandMan