Air Conditioning – Fault Finding Guide

A few Figaros were produced without A/C

This new guide provided by The Figaro Shop can be a great help when it comes to identifying issues with your A/C before you have to take it to the garage. It will help you identify any simple issues that could be causing it to malfunction such as switch settings, switch, fuse, or even debris that has entered the fan within the engine bay.

This guide can help you save time and money by helping you to easily identify the issue and take the necessary steps to fix it yourself, instead of having to take it to a garage for repair.

An interesting fact is when the Figaro was first manufactured, air conditioning was actually an optional extra. However, most of the buyers opted to have this feature fitted on their cars. A few cars were made for ‘cold climate’ environments that did not require this feature. You can tell if your car is one of those as it will have a blank where the A/C switch should be located!

HOW IT WORKS
The air conditioning works by blowing air over compressed, cooled, gas. If the system loses its pressure, or the gas pump (compressor) fails, then the system won’t get cold. This can be caused due to age; seals perish and components can be prone to wear out.

GAS USED
When the Nissan Figaro was made back in 1991 the system ran on a gas called R12. This gas is no longer available due to the environmental damage it causes. If your air conditioning needs repair at a garage they should also be converting your system to R134a at the same time.

5 CHECKS YOU CAN DO YOURSELF
However, before you head off to your local garage or air conditioning specialist, it is worth checking the following

1 – Check Switch Settings

Check the A/C switch is pushed up (the green light should come on), the fan is on the face setting, the temperature is set to cold and the fan is on 1,2 or 3.

2 – Check Fuse

If nothing happens when you switch the air conditioning on, it is worth checking the fuse. The fuse box can be found at the right of the driver’s footwell.

It is worth noting though that a blown fuse which is Fuse No 5 is more often than not, an indication of another problem with the system.

3 – Is the green lamp illuminating

The green A/C lamp located in the centre of the heater controls cannot be relied upon. Often, they fall away or have been unplugged at some stage. In Summary, the check is the cool air not flowing and cooling the vehicle interior, not the presence of the green light!

The lamp may seem very dim and you can get this upgraded to a brighter lamp. Read more about how you can do this Click here

4 – A faulty Switch could be the issue

The A/C switch is prone to failure which can be frustrating. All could be working fine within the system but the switch itself is not sending the signal to turn it on.

You can buy a replacement switch from The Figaro Shop Buy now

5 – Check the Fan under the Bonnet/Hood

There can also be problems with your fan at the very front of the car under the bonnet. Debris can get stuck between the blades and slow or block the fan completely.

This can also cause damage by puncturing the system, so do check that there are no stones or other foreign objects restricting the movement of your fan.

TIPS IF YOU NEED TO TAKE IT A GARAGE
If you have worked through all of the above and you still have a problem, here are some steps and tips to share with the professionals working on your Figaro.

When the air conditioning system is activated by flicking the toggle switch, the idle on the car’s engine will drop. If the drop is very slight, you may find that the fan is running but the compressor has failed or the system needs gas.

Needing gas probably means you have a leak. When recharging the gas you will need to check for leaks.
At this stage, you should be changing the gas to R134a, which will require new filling valves. The caps just screw onto the original valves and are easy to fit.
We suggest checking the entire system for leaks. These can be identified using a dye that is injected through the valves. It can also sometimes be seen seeping from fittings, or from components, such as the condenser.

You can buy a replacement compressor from The Figaro Shop Buy now

If the idle drops very steeply, or a loud clunk sound, or the fuse blows. The compressor may be faulty. The initial engagement of the system is always noisy, but excessive noise or instant failure is usually the compressor.

We suggest a thorough check through the whole system if you are changing the compressor. Whilst your air conditioning system is being looked at make sure there is not a leak from an old component as you will be back at your garage before too long.
The air conditioning systems can be prone to wiring problems due to age or from previous repairs. It is not uncommon to find wiring faults that inhibit the system from doing anything.

You can buy a replacement compressor from The Figaro Shop Buy now

We hope this helps. Air Conditioning is a tricky one, so if you have any further questions do drop us an email at workshop@thefigaroshop.co.uk