Air Conditioning Not Working

My A/C has stopped working altogether. I have the automatic climate control in my facelift 06 C3, and when I try turn the A/C on nothing happens. Previously I could hear a light clunk as the compressor engaged, and the RPMs would change by 100-200, however now nothing happens at all. And the air blowing out of the vents does not feel like it has been cooled at all. The last time the A/C worked correctly was in April, and the car has been sitting since then till last week. In fact, I may not have even used the A/C in April, as I like to keep it off for better fuel efficiency but most likely it was working in April, if not earlier this year.

I can live without the A/C (I like having the windows open in the summer anyway ), but it doesn't make for a pleasant journey in this seemingly tropical summer so any help to diagnose the problem would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

TenTonneMackerel wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:14 pm My A/C has stopped working altogether. I have the automatic climate control in my facelift 06 C3, and when I try turn the A/C on nothing happens. Previously I could hear a light clunk as the compressor engaged, and the RPMs would change by 100-200, however now nothing happens at all. And the air blowing out of the vents does not feel like it has been cooled at all. The last time the A/C worked correctly was in April, and the car has been sitting since then till last week. In fact, I may not have even used the A/C in April, as I like to keep it off for better fuel efficiency but most likely it was working in April, if not earlier this year.

I can live without the A/C (I like having the windows open in the summer anyway ), but it doesn't make for a pleasant journey in this seemingly tropical summer so any help to diagnose the problem would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

If the pressure in the A/C system drops too low, the system stops the compressor clutch engaging. This is not the only reason that a/c won't engage, but a first choice for me. You can get the system pressure tested at F1 autocentre by booking online or other similar places.

TenTonneMackerel wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:14 pm My A/C has stopped working altogether. ..

The last time the A/C worked correctly was in April, and the car has been sitting since then till last week. In fact, I may not have even used the A/C in April, as I like to keep it off for better fuel efficiency but most likely it was working in April, if not earlier this year.

I have not found any measurable difference on MPG with and without the A/C on my drives.

Not running the A/C can be a problem because the lubricating oil won't get circulated and the seals can start to perish more rapidly over not circulating the oil.

My advice is to run the A/C ever month, at least, summer or winter.

Its does a really good job of demisting in the winter

My advice is to run the A/C ever month, at least, summer or winter.

Citroen C3 Air-Con tips post

Hello. first, sorry for my bad english. i am using google translate. The air cooling / air conditioning system is working while my vehicle is driving. but it doesn't blow cold air at red lights or when it's not moving and I'm not pressing the accelerator pedal. but when the car starts to move, it blows cold air again. what would be the reason?
Note: A/C gas has just been installed.

tkncnt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 04, 2023 3:52 pm Hello. first, sorry for my bad english. i am using google translate. The air cooling / air conditioning system is working while my vehicle is driving. but it doesn't blow cold air at red lights or when it's not moving and I'm not pressing the accelerator pedal. but when the car starts to move, it blows cold air again. what would be the reason?
Note: A/C gas has just been installed.

Hi

Take the car back for an a/c leak test.

It sounds like there isn't enough coolant in there and you just had it topped up.

Did they test it properly before and after the work?

Did they find the reason it needed topping up in the first place?

Tkncnt: in other posts you say you are having troubles with your radiator fan. This fan also draws cooling air across the air conditioning condenser at the front of the car.
In hot climates (I should know) the fan barely does a good job. If the fan is not working correctly it will not cool the condenser when the car is stopped. When the car is traveling along the highway air flowing across the condenser will cool it.

The compressor might also be a problem. The compressor is a centrifugal, variable displacement type, meaning it changes its displacement (pumping power) with engine speed. It compresses more at low speeds and less at high speeds. If the centrifugal lever is stuck, the air conditioning will only work at high speed. Although this failure mode is unlikely.

Arfur Dent & Ozvtr:
Hello. The air conditioner was not blowing any cold weather. I went to the mechanic and he said the air conditioner is out of gas. The machine did a system test and said there is no gas leak. then emptied the remaining half air conditioner gas and filled it completely with new gas. I used the car for about 1 month without any problems. After 1 month, normal air started to blow when the vehicle stopped, and cold air started to blow when the vehicle moved. The problem is summarized like this.

And from what I understand from both posts, the cooling fan may be at the root of the problem. I think both issues are somewhat related to this. I think I was a little deceived when I bought the car. almost all electrical components are moldy or rusty. I think it was hit by a flood before I bought it.

i am watching that youtube video now.

I save the information you send to my phone. I take pictures of the posts. And when I go to a mechanic, I want to go informed. because it is very difficult to find a mechanic in my country now. they're all "changers" now. you have to buy a new one, we have to replace it bla bla bla. they get in front of the car and scratch their beards and think with me. and then "let's change this part". There are even those who say "sir, you better sell this car".
(give me a gun !%&%**!!)
All right, guys, I'll keep you updated. with my love.