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2006 Mazda3 AC clutch not engaging


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TonyJ
New User

Feb 3, 2012, 5:21 AM

Post #1 of 4 (6397 views)
2006 Mazda3 AC clutch not engaging Sign In

    
Year of vehicle 2006 (UK model)
Make of vehicle
(Mazda)
Model of vehicle ( Three/3)
Engine size (2.0)
Mileage approx 60k miles

Hi,
Sorry if this has been answered, but I couldn't find it in the search.
The aircon in my wife's Mazda3 isn't working very well, so we took it to the dealer to get checked. (The aircon got "serviced" around 6 months ago).
They said that the aircon clutch wasn't engaging, so they thought there wasn't any coolant in the system. When they tried to fill it up, the system wouldn't take any so they think there's a blockage in the system somewhere and they're saying the first step is to replace the condenser - at a cost of £400!!

Does this sound reasonable, or are they taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut - at our expense? Isn't there other things they can do to see if there's a blockage elsewhere, or can't they clean the condenser somehow to see if that's the problem rather than replace it outright straight off?
Also would, perhaps, something like blocked cabin filters reduce the airflow through the system meaning that the system doesn't detect a need for the aircon to engage, or something similar?

Sorry for the questions, but I've already had some questionable work done on my aircon from the same dealer on my Mazda6 so I'm not entirely confident in their assessment, let's say.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated to help determine if this sounds reasonable or if they're just taking liberties!
Thanks.


(This post was edited by TonyJ on Feb 3, 2012, 6:04 AM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Feb 3, 2012, 5:50 AM

Post #2 of 4 (6385 views)
Re: 2006 Mazda3 AC clutch not engaging Sign In

I really think that you need to take it to a professional shop that does ac work. It really doesn't sound like the people you took it to know what they are doing from the description in your post.

The first thing that you do when an ac system doesn't work after visual inspect is to connect a set of gauges and look at static system pressure. If the pressure is good and the clutch doesn't engage, then you have to do some electrical checks to find out why the clutch isn't engaging.

Attempting to add refrigerant to the system when you have no clue how much is actually in it is a dumb thing to do and can lead to compressor damage. Today's AC systems are very sensitive to the amount of refrigerant they hold because they really don't hold very much. Being a few ounces off can effect the operation of the system.

If the system is low, the remaining refrigerant in the system has to be recovered and weighed. Then the system can be recharged with the correct weight that is specified by the manufacture along with a dye and half an ounce of refrigerant oil.

I really think that you should get it out of there and take it to a shop that specialize in AC diagnosis and repair.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 3, 2012, 5:54 AM)


TonyJ
New User

Feb 3, 2012, 6:02 AM

Post #3 of 4 (6369 views)
Re: 2006 Mazda3 AC clutch not engaging Sign In

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, though it is a little worrying - this is the local Mazda dealership, and they're supposed to know what they're doing!
On the other hand, I am relaying what the customer service guy told me based on him speaking to the tech earlier in the day, so hopefully it's just got a little garbled in the process...

I realise this forum seems to be mostly US, but I don't suppose anyone knows a good AC shop in Central Scotland? Wink
It does sound like they may be taking us for a bit of a ride. They seem to be good at some things, but they replaced the pipes going to my condenser on my 6 a couple of months ago after I reported a leak. Two weeks later the system was dead again so I took it back in and they said that there was a crack in the condenser. Um, shouldn't they have noticed that when they replaced the pipes?!? They've agreed to replace the condenser at the cost of the parts only, no labour charge, which I think is reasonable enough but I'll see what happens after that gets done next week!

Thanks!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 3, 2012, 8:21 AM

Post #4 of 4 (6352 views)
Re: 2006 Mazda3 AC clutch not engaging Sign In

TonyJ: A/C isn't for everyone or every shop - period.

It's a school of itself and doing it wrong can and will destroy a system. Clutch not engaging if not some fluke is probably over or under charged system neither can be tolerated.

You need competent help and I can't even suggest a thing in Scotland for you but don't give up,

T







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