StevieB
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| posted on 26/6/11 at 06:58 PM |
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Tin Top climate control fault...
Evenin' all!
I'm having an issue with the climate control in my tin top ('06 Saab 9-8 Aero).
It's working very sporadically, and not very well. My wife had the gas re-charged on Friday which seems to have made it a little better when it
does work, but it's very hit and miss.
I've checked the fuses and they're all OK, the fact that it work sporadically would point toward it not being a refrigerant leak
(otherwise it'd work well then drop off as the gas level drops).
I'm left wondering if it's either a fault with the sensors or a something more mechanical (ie the compressor).
Has anyone got any experience of this type of fault? I'm happy to drive around with the windows open on all but the hottest of days but my two
boys (4 year old and 4 month old) are really struggling with the heat in the car (particularly the littlest man).
Any ideas or help would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Steve
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mookaloid
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| posted on 26/6/11 at 07:04 PM |
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Have you asked on UKsaabs.co.uk? - pretty helpful bunch there 
Cheers
Mark
Edit: If you aren't a member I could put a post up there for you
[Edited on 26/6/11 by mookaloid]
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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StevieB
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| posted on 26/6/11 at 07:26 PM |
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I'll have a search and join up anyway - always useful to have membership of such forums.
Cheers!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/6/11 at 08:44 PM |
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You need to check if the compressor clutch is engaging ---- it is electrical operated you should be able to hear it engage at idle speed when an
assistant switches the ac on, if not check the electrical wiring.
Also check the cooling fan operation the ac system is highly dependant on the engine cooling fans
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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StevieB
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| posted on 26/6/11 at 09:06 PM |
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I've so far checked that the relay works and that when the relay engages, the compressor seems to fire up (audibly engages and then the engine
idle speed flutters as is usual with a/c systems).
I'm now thinking that I have a fault with a temp sensor in the cabin, or maybe with the control unit itself. It seems that when the system does
fire up, it doesn't feel quite as cold as I reckon it should be (given the temp today and the fact I'm asking it to reduce the cabin temp
to 15 deg, the air should be coming out ice cold). Sometimes it's reasonably cold (and smells bad), sometimes it's tepid at best and
others it's hot (but I just put that down to the fact that today's been a total scorcher and the temp in the cabin and engine bay was
roasting).
Cooling fan seems to have been working OK today also.
[Edited on 26/6/11 by StevieB]
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mark chandler
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| posted on 27/6/11 at 05:54 AM |
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Sounds like the evaporater is choked with debris, the hard to get at radiator in the heating box 
You need to somehow get in there and clean the fins, I had a 928 porsche that did exactly the same thing, when I removed the blower motor I could see
the dirty matrix and poked a hose in the hole, worked it over the fins and flushed it out.
Water ran out the heater condensation drip pipes and did not flood the car.
It did not take a lot to shift the rubbish, just a few well pointed squirts with water.
Dirty matrix = bad smells
Dirty matrix is unable to evaporate the a/c gas so the system keeps shutting down as it basically overheats.
Hotter the weather the worse the problem!
Regards Mark
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StevieB
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| posted on 27/6/11 at 07:23 AM |
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Sounds like I should make that my next port of call - I believe it's buried right in the middle of the dash though
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pewe
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| posted on 27/6/11 at 07:50 AM |
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If you press ACC & Off with the system running it should self-diagnose the fault.
Codes are available from forums or I can email you a list.
Saabscene.com or thesaabsite.com have loads of useful info.
Could be one of the stepper motors operating the duct flaps?
Have you checked/replaced the pollen filter? That can cause all sorts of problems if its blocked as "water" can build up in the system.
Alternatively call Simon at DCA for helpful advice/quality second-hand parts tel: 01635 860086.
Keep us up-dated.
Cheers, Pewe 
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StevieB
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| posted on 27/6/11 at 12:26 PM |
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I read about the diagnostic check but my system doesn't have an "off" button and I haven't yet found any references as to what
buttons to press on my system ('06).
I'll have another look tonight and see where the next few lines enquiry lead me
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 27/6/11 at 12:48 PM |
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Rip it out, that's what windows are for 
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StevieB
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| posted on 29/8/11 at 08:26 AM |
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After much messing about, researching and generally being frustrated at the complexity of a modern Climate Control system, the problem has simply
fixed itself.
The smell is now gone, the system works effectively and the car is a bit more fuel efficient (probably to do with the fact the AC isn't working
overtime in order to try and get the temp down to something it could never achieve).
All I can thinik is that there was a blockage in the system that has freed itself with use over time.
Just in time for the weather to turn $hit again 
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 29/8/11 at 09:23 AM |
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Does the system have a pollen filter, if these block up, the system cannot draw enough air through the evap and it all goes tits up.
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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