New Car Woes - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**OpVJokl8** · 08-25-2007, 01:59 AM

I just bought a Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia 2001, very nice car but have found a few problems and wondered if anyone could help.

THe aircon doesn't work, the aircon light comes on and it feels intemittently very slightly cooler, is this easy to re-charge, could it be something other than the re-charge causing, don't think it's the fuse like other sites were saying as the aircon light comes on.

Also it has the 6 CD changer radio, I put a CD-R with printed label in and it threw a wobbley and now says no CD but didn't spit the CD out, I later read the manual and it said Do Not Use Printable Label CD's or something like that, I can insert CD's now and they won't play and sometimes it won't spit them out, is the radio easy to remove and once it's removed would I be able to strip it down and remove the stuck disk.

anyone had any thing like this and can give advise it would be much welcomed.

**sisimelanyk** · 08-25-2007, 02:15 AM

Dunno that much of the Hi-Fi stuff, I'll hope you get it sorted, but about the air conditioning I'd say that you probably need a refill of the coolant at a knowledgeable garage or a cool shop. I don't think it's anything else than low coolant, as the environment on a car with high temperature changes and the soft piping used often causes unavoidable leaks.

The Americans could tell us more about car AC. We aren't as experienced yet.

**OpVJokl8** · 08-25-2007, 03:36 AM

The Americans could tell us more about car AC. We aren't as experienced yet.

Definately, specially this year, hopefully all it needs is recharging, found a garage that does it for £50.00 so not to bad

**Reocourgigiot** · 08-25-2007, 03:43 AM

I just bought a Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia 2001, very nice car but have found a few problems and wondered if anyone could help.

THe aircon doesn't work, the aircon light comes on and it feels intemittently very slightly cooler, is this easy to re-charge, could it be something other than the re-charge causing, don't think it's the fuse like other sites were saying as the aircon light comes on.

Also it has the 6 CD changer radio, I put a CD-R with printed label in and it threw a wobbley and now says no CD but didn't spit the CD out, I later read the manual and it said Do Not Use Printable Label CD's or something like that, I can insert CD's now and they won't play and sometimes it won't spit them out, is the radio easy to remove and once it's removed would I be able to strip it down and remove the stuck disk.

anyone had any thing like this and can give advise it would be much welcomed.

have you pressed the snowflake button so it illuminates...

I thought my beemer needed a re gas so I took it to a bmw garage they took one look at it laughed and pressed the button and hay presto coolness.

**sisimelanyk** · 08-25-2007, 04:09 AM

have you pressed the snowflake button so it illuminates...

I thought my beemer needed a re gas so I took it to a bmw garage they took one look at it laughed and pressed the button and hay presto coolness.

I visited once my (late) father on a very hot August afternoon and did the checks of operation on his bimmer: the usual stuff and changed the air filter too. He loved me as a free mechanic.

I was at the wheel, started the engine and noticed an itchy bitchy tiny rocking switch with a snow flake symbol on the centre console. I did push it and a strong stream of very cold air from the vents was the report. Damn, this thing had had an after market air conditioning for a few years with nobody noticing!

**illetrygrargo** · 08-25-2007, 04:16 AM

For the air-conditioning... turn it on and open the bonnet... make sure the compressor is engaging.

Best thing to do is get a self-recharge kit... it's a simple procedure and cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it.

You can buy the kits on eBay with the pressure gauge included.

**OpVJokl8** · 08-25-2007, 07:15 AM

Well I sorted the radio, Stripped it and there was 4 cd's from the previous owner jammed in there, removed them and it now takes and plays CD's if a little intermittently, and if the CD is pushed to hard it just james again, I gotta be real gentle with it.

As for the Aircon, I have swithced it on, I did check under the bonnet and I can't hear any change, nothing engaging or anything, don't know if I should notice an audible change but I thought the revs usually pick up when aircon is switched on, guess I'll wait and see, gonna take it to the garage in the morning

**gettoblaster** · 08-25-2007, 07:40 AM

When I turn the AC on my 2005 Corsa, I can hear the AC unit starting to work as soon as the button is hit and the revs increase very slightly (about 50-100rpm at idle). Same story with my parent's cars.

**Reocourgigiot** · 08-25-2007, 07:51 AM

try and hold out till winter with the Aircon.

it will be cheeper to recharge

**crumoursegemo** · 08-25-2007, 03:00 PM

Well, most probable cause of the AC would be a lack of charge, but there are other things that can cause an AC not to work.

Most cars have valves and sensors all through the AC system. If one of those does not work. Then the whole system won't start. I had this happen to me. My AC wouldn't work and taking a closer look at it, there was a device that had an electrical plug on it that had come loose. All I did was push the plug back down and make sure the locking clips were actually locked and my AC started working again. Haven't had a problem since.

I would honestly have a professional have a look at it. Shouldn't cost very much.

And just a little tip. Doing a proper service on an AC requires a vacuum to be pulled on the unit. Most shops will only do this for a few minutes which is crap. To pull a proper vacuum, it has to be on the pump for a while. For a car, I would say nothing less then 45 minutes. I used to build liquid CO2 tanks with massive AC units. We had to keep them on vacuum pumps for at least the whole working day to achieve proper vacuums for preparation of the charge.

**Ilaubuas** · 08-25-2007, 03:15 PM

You need to re-charge the A/C compressor with R134A refrigerant. But it could be a leak and that would suck.

**OpVJokl8** · 08-26-2007, 03:34 AM

Joy, took the car in and the garage said it was completely empty, took about 45 minutes and £50.00 and I had aircon back and fully working which was a good job as it was roasting today and I had a 150 mile drive.

**illetrygrargo** · 08-26-2007, 04:23 AM

Joy, took the car in and the garage said it was completely empty, took about 45 minutes and £50.00 and I had aircon back and fully working which was a good job as it was roasting today and I had a 150 mile drive.

Did they check for leaks?... it's not nice to fork out £50 every summer because your refrigerant has leaked away over several months

**OpVJokl8** · 08-26-2007, 04:37 AM

Did they check for leaks?... it's not nice to fork out £50 every summer because your refrigerant has leaked away over several months

He said he'd start with 100 and check for any leaks, nothing apeared but it was only a quick look over, after that he finished it with the correct amount.

Looking on many websites it says A/C need recharging every 18-24 months.

**Rqvtwlfk** · 08-26-2007, 05:14 AM

A/C recharging isn't a part of servicing is it? Dont think it is...
Just saying as it is still perfect in my 9 year old car...

**Reocourgigiot** · 08-26-2007, 06:11 AM

A/C recharging isn't a part of servicing is it? Dont think it is...
Just saying as it is still perfect in my 9 year old car...

can be I have my carbon pollen filter replaced every 2nd inspection and Id presume they check the AC for operation afterwards

08-25-2007, 01:59 AM	#1
OpVJokl8 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	New Car Woes I just bought a Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia 2001, very nice car but have found a few problems and wondered if anyone could help. THe aircon doesn't work, the aircon light comes on and it feels intemittently very slightly cooler, is this easy to re-charge, could it be something other than the re-charge causing, don't think it's the fuse like other sites were saying as the aircon light comes on. Also it has the 6 CD changer radio, I put a CD-R with printed label in and it threw a wobbley and now says no CD but didn't spit the CD out, I later read the manual and it said Do Not Use Printable Label CD's or something like that, I can insert CD's now and they won't play and sometimes it won't spit them out, is the radio easy to remove and once it's removed would I be able to strip it down and remove the stuck disk. anyone had any thing like this and can give advise it would be much welcomed. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 02:15 AM	#2
sisimelanyk Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 484 Senior Member	Dunno that much of the Hi-Fi stuff, I'll hope you get it sorted, but about the air conditioning I'd say that you probably need a refill of the coolant at a knowledgeable garage or a cool shop. I don't think it's anything else than low coolant, as the environment on a car with high temperature changes and the soft piping used often causes unavoidable leaks. The Americans could tell us more about car AC. We aren't as experienced yet. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 03:36 AM	#3
OpVJokl8 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	The Americans could tell us more about car AC. We aren't as experienced yet. Definately, specially this year, hopefully all it needs is recharging, found a garage that does it for £50.00 so not to bad Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 03:43 AM	#4
Reocourgigiot Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 400 Senior Member	I just bought a Ford Focus 2.0 Ghia 2001, very nice car but have found a few problems and wondered if anyone could help. THe aircon doesn't work, the aircon light comes on and it feels intemittently very slightly cooler, is this easy to re-charge, could it be something other than the re-charge causing, don't think it's the fuse like other sites were saying as the aircon light comes on. Also it has the 6 CD changer radio, I put a CD-R with printed label in and it threw a wobbley and now says no CD but didn't spit the CD out, I later read the manual and it said Do Not Use Printable Label CD's or something like that, I can insert CD's now and they won't play and sometimes it won't spit them out, is the radio easy to remove and once it's removed would I be able to strip it down and remove the stuck disk. anyone had any thing like this and can give advise it would be much welcomed. have you pressed the snowflake button so it illuminates... I thought my beemer needed a re gas so I took it to a bmw garage they took one look at it laughed and pressed the button and hay presto coolness. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 04:09 AM	#5
sisimelanyk Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 484 Senior Member	have you pressed the snowflake button so it illuminates... I thought my beemer needed a re gas so I took it to a bmw garage they took one look at it laughed and pressed the button and hay presto coolness. I visited once my (late) father on a very hot August afternoon and did the checks of operation on his bimmer: the usual stuff and changed the air filter too. He loved me as a free mechanic. I was at the wheel, started the engine and noticed an itchy bitchy tiny rocking switch with a snow flake symbol on the centre console. I did push it and a strong stream of very cold air from the vents was the report. Damn, this thing had had an after market air conditioning for a few years with nobody noticing! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 04:16 AM	#6
illetrygrargo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	For the air-conditioning... turn it on and open the bonnet... make sure the compressor is engaging. Best thing to do is get a self-recharge kit... it's a simple procedure and cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it. You can buy the kits on eBay with the pressure gauge included. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 07:15 AM	#7
OpVJokl8 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	Well I sorted the radio, Stripped it and there was 4 cd's from the previous owner jammed in there, removed them and it now takes and plays CD's if a little intermittently, and if the CD is pushed to hard it just james again, I gotta be real gentle with it. As for the Aircon, I have swithced it on, I did check under the bonnet and I can't hear any change, nothing engaging or anything, don't know if I should notice an audible change but I thought the revs usually pick up when aircon is switched on, guess I'll wait and see, gonna take it to the garage in the morning Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 07:40 AM	#8
gettoblaster Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 634 Senior Member	When I turn the AC on my 2005 Corsa, I can hear the AC unit starting to work as soon as the button is hit and the revs increase very slightly (about 50-100rpm at idle). Same story with my parent's cars. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 07:51 AM	#9
Reocourgigiot Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 400 Senior Member	try and hold out till winter with the Aircon. it will be cheeper to recharge Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 03:00 PM	#10
crumoursegemo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 536 Senior Member	Well, most probable cause of the AC would be a lack of charge, but there are other things that can cause an AC not to work. Most cars have valves and sensors all through the AC system. If one of those does not work. Then the whole system won't start. I had this happen to me. My AC wouldn't work and taking a closer look at it, there was a device that had an electrical plug on it that had come loose. All I did was push the plug back down and make sure the locking clips were actually locked and my AC started working again. Haven't had a problem since. I would honestly have a professional have a look at it. Shouldn't cost very much. And just a little tip. Doing a proper service on an AC requires a vacuum to be pulled on the unit. Most shops will only do this for a few minutes which is crap. To pull a proper vacuum, it has to be on the pump for a while. For a car, I would say nothing less then 45 minutes. I used to build liquid CO2 tanks with massive AC units. We had to keep them on vacuum pumps for at least the whole working day to achieve proper vacuums for preparation of the charge. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-25-2007, 03:15 PM	#11
Ilaubuas Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 455 Senior Member	You need to re-charge the A/C compressor with R134A refrigerant. But it could be a leak and that would suck. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-26-2007, 03:34 AM	#12
OpVJokl8 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	Joy, took the car in and the garage said it was completely empty, took about 45 minutes and £50.00 and I had aircon back and fully working which was a good job as it was roasting today and I had a 150 mile drive. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-26-2007, 04:23 AM	#13
illetrygrargo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	Joy, took the car in and the garage said it was completely empty, took about 45 minutes and £50.00 and I had aircon back and fully working which was a good job as it was roasting today and I had a 150 mile drive. Did they check for leaks?... it's not nice to fork out £50 every summer because your refrigerant has leaked away over several months Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-26-2007, 04:37 AM	#14
OpVJokl8 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	Did they check for leaks?... it's not nice to fork out £50 every summer because your refrigerant has leaked away over several months He said he'd start with 100 and check for any leaks, nothing apeared but it was only a quick look over, after that he finished it with the correct amount. Looking on many websites it says A/C need recharging every 18-24 months. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-26-2007, 05:14 AM	#15
Rqvtwlfk Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 453 Senior Member	A/C recharging isn't a part of servicing is it? Dont think it is... Just saying as it is still perfect in my 9 year old car... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

08-26-2007, 06:11 AM	#16
Reocourgigiot Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 400 Senior Member	A/C recharging isn't a part of servicing is it? Dont think it is... Just saying as it is still perfect in my 9 year old car... can be I have my carbon pollen filter replaced every 2nd inspection and Id presume they check the AC for operation afterwards Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote