Air-con question

Paperbird

If there is only one temp control the temp sensor will probably be in the centre console close to the temp control so it could be either that has been disturbed.

custardy

is the outside temp display showing the correct temps? (as close as you can tell)

fitter2000

Im pretty sure the temp sensor is in the panel behind the steering wheel (to the left from memory) i just wonder if they forgot to plug it back in after taking the panel off to do the lock (just guessing)
HTH
fitter

p.s if its not there get back to me and ill go have a look at mine (same car) i would do now but its tipping it down with rain

reeac

Nukumai wrote: »

Question for those knowledgeable about air-con :

My wife gets about in a Lexus IS200 Auto which she has had since new (52 Reg / 60k miles). She had the ignition barrel replaced by Lexus back in October and has just told me that the air-con - which up to that point had worked flawlessly - wasn't working when she drove out of the dealership's workshop (yes, I know...!!)

Specifically, only when it is set at the lowest temperature will it provide chilled air, as expected. Other than that, it provides unpleasantly hot air. That is to say...the air-con does seem to function, but not as desired.

Is this symptomatic of a known issue (eg. a need for a re-gassing)? Or - as probabilities might suggest - could it be down to the Lexus dealership having temporarily removed upholstery beneath the steering wheel in order to replace the ignition barrel (thereby, maybe covering up a thermostat/sensor/controller etc.?)...or similar.

No biggie, but I ask in case this is a known symptom of an obvious fault. Either way, I will get it fixed.

Your suggestion of the air inlet to the sensor being blocked is a possibility. I had that problem once - the result was that the aircon. was always full on as the sensor never "saw" any cold air from the cabin and so kept the aircon. on max. cooling. If, in your case, you were starting off with a cold car including a cold sensor then it would keep blasting out hot air regardless until the cabin or engine heat soaked through the structure under the dashboard and got to the sensor.

Nukumai

custardy wrote: »

is the outside temp display showing the correct temps? (as close as you can tell)

Yes, it definitely is.

Nukumai

fitter2000 wrote: »

Im pretty sure the temp sensor is in the panel behind the steering wheel (to the left from memory) i just wonder if they forgot to plug it back in after taking the panel off to do the lock (just guessing)

This is along the lines of what I am thinking.

fitter2000 wrote: »

p.s if its not there get back to me and ill go have a look at mine (same car) i would do now but its tipping it down with rain

What a kind offer! But, please, don't go to the trouble. I'll definitely get Lexus to sort it out. More to the point, if I wasn't so busy with work atm, I would source a workshop manual or drop the upholstery out and try to trace it myself. I guess I had hopes that my problem might ring a bell with somebody who has experienced the same issue.

Thanks again!

Nukumai

reeac wrote: »

Your suggestion of the air inlet to the sensor being blocked is a possibility.

Yes, I'm starting to convince myself that the issue is a physical one, probably (inadvertently) caused by the Lexus guys swapping out the ignition barrel.