How to Test Car Air Conditioning?

Need_More_Money_2

Can anyone tell me how I can test if the air conditioning on my car is working? Because the air outside is still fairly cold, it is difficult to tell if the air conditioning is working. On a recent fairly warm day (when it was quite warm inside the car), I switched on the A/C, turned the temperature control to the coldest setting and set the air to recirulate. The air from the vents did not get cold. When set to fresh air, it feels reasonably cold, but can't notice any difference between A/C on or off. The light on the A/C button does come on and doesn't flash (which I know would indicate a fault).
Is this enough proof it is not working properly? Is there anything else I can try? Car is a 4 years old but I only bought it in January and it came with a 12 month warranty. I haven't been able to test A/C properly in cold weather. If it needs repairing, would it be reasonable to expect this to be covered by the warranty, since it is likely it wasn't working at the time of purchase.

Thanks

boatman

It maybe that its working but needs a top up, these castrol products are alot cheaper than getting a garage to recharge your system:

http://www.rabtherm.co.uk/castrol/castrol_ez_fill.htm
Castrol EZ Fill Products - Rabtherm International Ltd.

Not sure who stocks them but have seen them for sale on ebay.

david29dpo

there should be about a 13c drop in temp between inside and outside. check this with a thermometer right next to an air vent. is the compressor and fan cutting in?. if so pressure should be ok. there is i cut out if the pressure drops below a certain level to protect the compressor, if this is the case, it needs a top-up, about £50 from a good outlet or home visit

Need_More_Money_2

david29dpo wrote:

there should be about a 13c drop in temp between inside and outside. check this with a thermometer right next to an air vent. is the compressor and fan cutting in?. if so pressure should be ok. there is i cut out if the pressure drops below a certain level to protect the compressor, if this is the case, it needs a top-up, about £50 from a good outlet or home visit

Thanks. Should I be able to hear the compressor start (from in the car). Or do I need to have the bonnet up and get someone to press the A/C button?
With fan on 'auto' setting, it blows when temp set to cold, whether A/C on or off

Happy_Shrimper

Start the engine without A/C off. Let it idle for a few seconds.
Switch on A/C and watch for a small drop in revs and possibly a click within a second or two.
If the above does seem to happen, the A/C is on, but as others suggest, the gas might be low.
If the gas is too low, it can sometime prevent the A/C from even starting as log gas can damage A/C and therefore prevent it even starting.
Both my recent cars Vauxahall Senator and Pug 406 get the drop in revs and click, so may or may not happen on your car.

ArsenalFC

You should give the dealer or wherever u bought the car from a visit. Everything should be working when u got it, should be covered by the warranty. get them to re-gas it.