Aircon/climate Control Stuck On

[deBooza]

Hi

Car: 2002 C5, 2.2HDI Exclusive Estate 90000 miles.

 

In short, the air conditioning is stuck on.

 

Made a short journey to the shops on Sunday about 5 miles. When I pulled up to stop the blower started up

without me pressing anything. I leave it with the Eco button pressed so that the aircon/climate control is never in

use, only when I want it to be, which is may be once a year.

 

It seems that the Eco button now does not work/respond to it being pressed. With the car running the blowers are continuously

running though the fan sign shows not on at all. The auto button works. The button that controls blower direction works.

When I first start the car the Eco light is on and it responds to presses for the first 5 to 8 seconds or so. After that

it fails to respond and is stuck in some other mode that contiually blows.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanx,

 

deBooza

[paul.h]

I can not remember seeing this reported before. Maybe a battery disconnection/reconnection may help or maybe the blower relay is sticking - Haynes shows one in the engine fusebox coming off fuse 18 on its typical heater blower wiring diagram page 12.30.

 

It is worth running the air con once a month or so to circulate the oil so seals do not dry out and allow the freon to escape.

[deBooza]

Hi

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

If I disconnect the battery will that have any advers effects on anything else? Will it reset other things I need to know about? Reason I ask is a mechanic I spoke to briefly said whatever you do don't disconnect the battery, you'll have all sorts of problems - ignition key may fail, wipers go scatty. He intimated that it may need resetting by way of a dealer.

 

Thanx,

 

deBooza

[deBooza]

Hi

 

After more browing and googling I found this thread(amongst others)on the forum. It seems like a common failing of the C5 and is very similar to my problem. Anyone know how, if at all possible, to test this fault without buying a replacement unit?

 

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/index.php?showtopic=6990

 

deBooza.

[paul.h]

I am not sure if resistor failure is your problem, in these cases the blower can still be turned off but when on it will only work on max speed. This type of failure is common on many other makes of car.

 

Battery disconnection/reconnection on the C5 is not much of a problem provided it is not done too quickly. I have done it to recharge the battery and had no problems after. I think it is mentioned in the handbook, have a look there but is similar to the following:

- switch off the ignition, remove the key, open the bonnet, the doors can be closed but do not lock them, wait a few minutes for the car to fully shutdown then the battery can be disconnected. Wait some time before reconnecting.

- reconnect the battery, wait a few minutes, put the key in the ignition, wait a few minutes, turn to first position, wait a few minutes, turn to next position so dash lights up, wait a few minutes, start the engine, take the windows down and back up again to reset the anti pinch, reset the clock.

[deBooza]

Hi

 

Tried the battery disconnect thing and still the same situation. Perhaps I did not leave it disconnected long enough?

 

Thought I'd try to eliminate a few things. I disconnected the fan switch, the thing by the clutch pedal. This has stopped the blower. However, the ECO light still behaves the same. On first starting the car the ECO button is responsive but 5 or so seconds later the button stays off. The direction button works fine. The fan button does nothingto the fan picture - the blades all stay off.

 

Anyone know if that means the switch is Ok and that the problem is elsewhere?

 

deBooza.

[deBooza]

Hi

 

Well I took the gamble and replaced the resistor pack with a new one from ebay(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320615646722?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648)and hey presto it fixed the problem. I can now demist the windscreen without carrying a towel with me.

 

Thanx for all the tips,

 

deBooza.

[Guest michael16v]

Hi

 

Well I took the gamble and replaced the resistor pack with a new one from ebay(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320615646722?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648)and hey presto it fixed the problem. I can now demist the windscreen without carrying a towel with me.

 

Thanx for all the tips,

 

deBooza

 

 

the problem was most likely the thermistor in the resister pack. Cost me $4.60 to replace and all now working.