air-con problems

HI to you all out there.
My Alfa 166 is giving me a hard time. The external temperature showing on the screen is upwards of -40 and it's sure not that here in dear old Norfolk. Do you thing the sencor on the driver's wing mirror needs cleaning or changed??.
Thanks
jmbraf : confused:

I thought the ext sensor was on the front windscreen ?

Start with either the sensor...or possibly the wiring to it. It's an NTC thermistor, so if it goes open circuit (or the connections to it do), then the system will assume it's very cold.

If you can get at it, probably the quickest way to check would be to unplug the sensor and short out the loom connector pins. Car should then think it's got very warm all of a sudden. If no change, it's the wiring most likely.

Could conceiveably be the ICS itself, but it's usually the simple stuff that goes wrong.

HTH

Roger that, The indicated temp is fluctulating and when I sprayed the sensor with compressedgas for computer cleaning the temp went back to normal but it has since goone back up to -20

John b

Thanks for your reply but the sensor is a small nipple on he drivers wing mirror underneath the main body of the mirror.

John B

Originally Posted by jmbraf

Roger that, The indicated temp is fluctulating and when I sprayed the sensor with compressedgas for computer cleaning the temp went back to normal but it has since goone back up to -20

John b

Mmm, that suggests it might be the bead thermistor itself. They sometimes fail internally (contacts usually). Should be available as a spare? If not, it shouldn't be too hard to substitute a more generic one that's got the right characteristics.

Thanks for that Chris but I have managed to get the complete sensor thru' Alfaman. I am going to fit it in the next few days, will keep you posted.

John B

Be good to hear the result.

HI CHRISS, i have solved the problem. I mnaged to get a sensor from the ALFAMAN (VERY HELPFUL AND ON THE NET), and i fitted it last week. Removed the wng mirror and then the glass found the conections and made the cable shorter and wired it up. Great, nice cool/cold air blowing.
I recommend the Alfaman as he held the part until I check the circiuts and will help any Alfa owner.

John B

Great news John. Glad it's sorted.

Apropos A/C, ours was only blowing cool, not cold, so I tried one of those 'cheap' top up kits from Halfords yesterday. Seems to have helped!. Figured it was worth a try as the system seemed to be fine, just likely lacking a bit of R134a after 7 years.