Air-con condenser fan....how often should it run?

[Icedbs]

Hi all,

 

Thesedays, my aircon sometimes blow out warm air when engine is idling, but it will be ok when the car is moving.

 

I suspect that the condenser fan is not running well.

 

My question is, how often does this fan cuts-in and run?

 

When I first on my air-con (while car is stationary), I realise that this fan doesn't run.  Then it suddenly comes alive (together with another fan (radiator fan?) next to it) maybe 5 minutes later. Then after running for like 3 minutes, it will stop again....and won't come back on again until like 10 minutes later.

 

How to check if this fan is performing as it should?

[Apple-Tree]

I think check and change the connector of the fan lor.  Very likely you need to replace it.

 

If not fix, may damage you evaporator due to high pressure from the compressor lor.

 

 

Hi all,

 

Thesedays, my aircon sometimes blow out warm air when engine is idling, but it will be ok when the car is moving.

 

I suspect that the condenser fan is not running well.

 

My question is, how often does this fan cuts-in and run?

 

When I first on my air-con (while car is stationary), I realise that this fan doesn't run.  Then it suddenly comes alive (together with another fan (radiator fan?) next to it) maybe 5 minutes later. Then after running for like 3 minutes, it will stop again....and won't come back on again until like 10 minutes later.

 

How to check if this fan is performing as it should?

 

[Contipro]

Hi all,

 

Thesedays, my aircon sometimes blow out warm air when engine is idling, but it will be ok when the car is moving.

 

I suspect that the condenser fan is not running well.

 

My question is, how often does this fan cuts-in and run?

 

When I first on my air-con (while car is stationary), I realise that this fan doesn't run. Then it suddenly comes alive (together with another fan (radiator fan?) next to it) maybe 5 minutes later. Then after running for like 3 minutes, it will stop again....and won't come back on again until like 10 minutes later.

 

How to check if this fan is performing as it should?

if fan still able to start stop.

but issue when stationary, moving ok,

then most likely the fan not performing example fan speed have reduced due to faulty.

or possible compressor faulty where need higher engine rpm to compress the refrigerant to correct level.

 

just approach the air con specialist for help.

I have experienced both failure separately.

[RadX]

Cooling coils too

[Icedbs]

Cooling coils too

 

Yeap, I suspected this too........but it is hard to tell if it is the cooling coil (evaporator) or the condenser fan not working. The workshop says the refrigerant levels are ok and the compressor is working fine. They say is cooling coil.

 

However if is is cooling coil issue, then car moving or idling would still blow out warm air isn't it?  Or there is something  I don't know?

Edited June 12, 2019 by Icedbs

[Contipro]

Yeap, I suspected this too........but it is hard to tell if it is the cooling coil (evaporator) or the condenser fan not working. The workshop says the refrigerant levels are ok and the compressor is working fine. They say is cooling coil.

 

However if is is cooling coil issue, then car moving or idling would still blow out warm air isn't it? Or there is something I don't know?

ya. dont know what logical idea for cooling coil issue based on your scenario.

 

for mine 1st workshop check found compressor pressure low at idle and shoot up when ram engine rpm. not stable.

however when I went to 2nd workshop for replacing the faulty compressor they found it work normal, which is puzzle as well.

anyway I replace at 2nd workshop and it work till I scrap the car.

[Ct3833]

Hi all,

 

Thesedays, my aircon sometimes blow out warm air when engine is idling, but it will be ok when the car is moving.

 

I suspect that the condenser fan is not running well.

 

My question is, how often does this fan cuts-in and run?

 

When I first on my air-con (while car is stationary), I realise that this fan doesn't run.  Then it suddenly comes alive (together with another fan (radiator fan?) next to it) maybe 5 minutes later. Then after running for like 3 minutes, it will stop again....and won't come back on again until like 10 minutes later.

 

How to check if this fan is performing as it should?

Your fan at the  heat exchanger in front of your car is likely working normally .  When the aircon compressor clutches on(when you hear a fairly loud mechanical click noise), the fan motor will start to spin , when the compressor clutches off,  the fan will stop spinning.  You can confirm it by listening out for the compressor clutch on and off sound.  

 

Your aircon get colder when car is moving because more air is flowing throw the heat exchanger when your car is moving, it help cooling down your aircon system better. When the car stop, the whole aircon system is depending on the fan to cool down the  heat exchanger , the cooling will be not as good.

 

Bottom line is there is inefficiency somewhere  along the system. In any aircon system, cooling comes from either the coil or the compressor, so likely one of the two. It is more likely that the compressor not functioning perfectly, of course it could be due to the cooling coil too but less likely.  

 

But i notice you mentioned the exchanger fan will turn on 10 min after it is off, this is very long, the fan may have problem too. In our hot weather climate, the compresor will turn on in less than a minute or two, 10 min sounds far too long. Your aircon mechanic should be able to advise. 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Ct3833

[Raychay]

Based on my cars with 2 radiator fans, 1 of the fans will be running when as long as the aircon is turned on.

Only the 2nd fan will kick in when the water temp goes up and stops when the water temp drops

[Contipro]

Yeap, I suspected this too........but it is hard to tell if it is the cooling coil (evaporator) or the condenser fan not working. The workshop says the refrigerant levels are ok and the compressor is working fine. They say is cooling coil.

 

However if is is cooling coil issue, then car moving or idling would still blow out warm air isn't it? Or there is something I don't know?

anyway what the car model, at least other of same model can share their experiences

[Watwheels]

How old is your car?

 

Most likely the condenser cooling coil is dirty. After much driving your AC condenser cooling coil will be clog with dirt and debris. You give it a thorough wash. If you are able to remove your front grill it will be ideal to have it washed. If cannot there's also another way.

 

Buy the 3M aircon spray cleaner.

Aim thru the front grill and spray at the aircon condenser.. Follow the instructions. Allow the solution to do its thing for a couple of minutes.

Note: do this when the condenser is cool. Use a pressurized washer to hose it down. If dont have just use your thumb to create some kinda pressure to hose it down. I usually do this every 2 years. Empty a can of the ac cleaner into the radiator and ac condenser and flush them with water.

Edited June 13, 2019 by Watwheels

[Icedbs]

anyway what the car model, at least other of same model can share their experiences

 

Mazda 6 HB, the older model.......

Your fan at the  heat exchanger in front of your car is likely working normally .  When the aircon compressor clutches on(when you hear a fairly loud mechanical click noise), the fan motor will start to spin , when the compressor clutches off,  the fan will stop spinning.  You can confirm it by listening out for the compressor clutch on and off sound.  

 

Your aircon get colder when car is moving because more air is flowing throw the heat exchanger when your car is moving, it help cooling down your aircon system better. When the car stop, the whole aircon system is depending on the fan to cool down the  heat exchanger , the cooling will be not as good.

 

Bottom line is there is inefficiency somewhere  along the system. In any aircon system, cooling comes from either the coil or the compressor, so likely one of the two. It is more likely that the compressor not functioning perfectly, of course it could be due to the cooling coil too but less likely.  

 

But i notice you mentioned the exchanger fan will turn on 10 min after it is off, this is very long, the fan may have problem too. In our hot weather climate, the compresor will turn on in less than a minute or two, 10 min sounds far too long. Your aircon mechanic should be able to advise. 

 

Thanks bro....

 

I have a feeling that the condenser fan is not working well.  I can see that the compressor clutch does engage once every few minutes, but the condenser fan does not come on. 

 

I will analyse this carefully again...

[Icedbs]

Just an update, I believe the condenser fan is not working as it should.  When the air-con is switch on, this fan never runs and it will run only when the radiator fan kicks-in. Once the radiator fan stops turning, the condenser fan will also stop.

[Boxster]

Check the sight glass see if can see liquid refrigerant flowing thru.

Since you are saying ac is cool when car is moving and not cool when idling why not rev the engine in neutral at traveling RPM to eliminate the chance that the compression is weak during idling .

 

 

Edited June 14, 2019 by Boxster