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9-3 AIR CON PROBLEMS (09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air)

44K views 53 replies 10 participants last post by  haloweenhamster 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
(MADE AS A STICKY FOR THE HOT WEATHER UNTIL THIS CAN BE MODIFIED/SORTED AND SIFTED THROUGH)

Today of all days on a long journey, it was time to put the roof and chill the car as the sun was to strong. BUT the cabin air refused to chill....did work, and just. Stopped like that. IT MAY be linked to having the car serviced ( just a thought ) any ideas on what to check. Air is blowing but it's not chilled.
 
#3 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Did that mgb, it's not playing fair, just moving warm air had to crank all windows down as passengers in back were complaining of heat.
 
#4 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

I suspect you are low on gas, either its just low as they do need topping up from time to time, or you have a leak in the system the most common cause is a stone has punctured the aircon condenser

it is also worth while checking the clutch engages on the compressor

don't just have the system refilled...........if you have leak the gas will just escape so false economy £ wise

the best option £50ish is to

evacuate any remaining gas this will also remove the pag oil
vacuum of the system 20mins min this will remove any moisture from the system (death to aircon)
after vacuuming the system the machine will do a leak test
refill with the correct quantity of gas and oil along with a dye which will pin point any leaks under uv light
 
#5 · (Edited)
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Thanks for the Kez pretty comprehensive list that. Had a quick look this morning (I dont use the car for work) and I noticed that the LED on the "auto" button is not working. but the button does work as the fans change pitch when I cycle it. Nothing obvious under the bonnet, I did see a mention of holding the auto button, and aircon off switch together (dont know if the relates to my model) however it didnt do anything. I suppose next stop is a garage. Cant manage without that aircon (well I can but its not good as we found out yesterday)I cant sense a change in engine note when cycling the aircon off button. (but then I cant honestly say I did notice it.) So I dont think the clutch is engaging the compressor.
 
#6 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

if it is low or no gas the a/c wont turn on, when was last time you used was it ice cold or have you noticed it getting warmer air over a while.

ring round a few aircon specialists get a few prices first. tell them your after a recovery and recharge with vacuum
 
#7 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

I've had the car about 18 months (ish) and I have never been happy about the cold air from the day I
Picked it up compared to my 2 previous vehicles. Since Feb I don't think it has done 1000 miles as I have a contract where I walk into work. I have been put in touch with a guy who specialises in Aircon, apparently he will charge 50 quid for a pressure check flush and re gas, and will come to me. Ill let you know how I go on.
 
#8 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

@update@ had klaus Ward out today who operates a mobile service in Hants Diagnosed a leak on the
Condenser right were the vain meets the main body. Probably due to corrosion of the alloy rather than a stone chip. 250 for the job all in which I am happy with considering some of the dealer prices I have
Heard quoted. Part ordered being done next Monday. Auto Aircon 07973 252531.
 
#9 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Sorted then :thumbsup:..............at least you not chucked money away just having regas that would have vanished into thin air !! tbh for the extra £20ish for a service is money well spent and imo a regas is just false economy thus this is the reason we do not do this in work
 
#10 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

I was gonna say the rad as that's what happened to mine. Got a really good price all in there as I did mine myself and cost me about £160 (£120 for the rad, £40 regas) - Been 2 years as it's still cold as hell, love it - best a/c ever. I also fitted some mesh behind my grill when the bumper was off to stop the chances of any large stones damaging the rad in the future.
 
#11 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Another update, new condenser fitted, regassed (obviously) but the car is still not blowing cold air. Klaus has changed the pressure switches, checked the clutch, cant find any issues. He can start the aircon using his "probe" and it runs and chills the car, but wont start from within the car (fuses have been checked). I am going to try a calibration later. See if that resolves it. What we both noticed is the LED on the autobutton (on the passenger side) is not working. (It was up to Sunday) thats not a sign of a fault is it ? Anyone any ideas ? If that wont cut it, then its time for a garage, and more money.
 
#12 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

below that button is a switch for aircon off check this is not lit

if you press the auto button does this light then come on ?

another quick check go into settings on the sid go to climate settings and check aircon is on or auto your manual will guide you if you don't have one let me know and will post up for you

then let us know how you get on
 
#13 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Cheers Kez, just been to the car myself to check it out, all the above criteria has been met. Still no chilled air the man said he has done loads of 93 and 95 and never seen this before best he can suggest is an
Electrical fault IE a broken wire. Disregard the auto LED it works, just me being a numpty. Bear in mind he said he can fire up the aircon with his gadget and it chills the car. He has checked everything he can. Even got an aircon service sticker under the bonnet but no chilled air to the cabin. @@BUGGER@@
 
#15 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Still pursuing this on other boards as well as this, not getting far.
Learning lots about Aircon though :)

Best link of "how it works" http://www.swedishwrench.com/saab_ACC_part_2.htm

(read the part 1 ) So, best I can come up with at the moment is I have no fan action on the front of the car when I turn the aircon on, Still think I will have to Tech2 diags it tho, but just for the moment it will have to wait, I have thrown to much money at this car last week, with 12 months Tax, and 275 bill on the aircon. In the meantime if anyone has any ideas please feel free to give your input.
 
#16 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

have you checked the aircon relay ? in the engine bay fuse box

not got any info at hand to whic relay it is as in work but will state in your manual .............if you remove it and put a link accross the corresponding terminals 30 and 87 of the relay holder in the fuse box ( if you look at the relay pins it will have numbers next to them)

does this work ? when you start car and have aircon on
 
#18 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Part ordered off the Internet, I had a choice of official Saab Part at 50 odd quid, plus postage, or OEM
Part at 4.60p with free postage, guess which won. Can't believe the aircon is now working after all the
Aggro and expense of last week. It's only through this forum ((you Kez)) that I managed to get it sorted. I have surfed the Internet dry for info on this since last Friday. NOWT ! That being said I am disappointed the guy that came out to replace the condenser didn't pick up on it, and basically left me with it. He has on his aircon blurb "fault diagnoses" well this is one he didn't diagnose :mad: I work in I.T. And if I don't
Fix I don't get paid...still alls well that ends well :thumbsup:
 
#19 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

o.k hope the relay sorts the problem and is most likely too :thumbsup:...............if after fitting you find the problem still exists come back and I will guide you further...........I don't understand why he was unable to diagnose this tbh

in the mean time whilst you are waiting for the new relay there is another test you can carry out re switching of the relay and if this proves successful it is certain that the relay is at fault.............

on the relay you will notice 2 other numbers 85 & 86 these are the coil of the relay that energise the relay from a switch which then switches over to make a circuit between 30 & 87

to test the coil the use of a multimeter, 12v buzzer or test lamp will be needed, I will assume you are going to use a multimeter so set it to 12v dc correspond terminals 85 & 86 from the relay pins to the relay base, now insert one lead of the multimeter into terminal 85 and the other into terminal 86, start the car and cycle the aircon switch between on/off with the temp dials set to low..............the multimeter should show 0v or 12v
 
#23 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Took the link out Kez after the test, and only used the "thinist of thin wire" it actually came out of a computer mouse :) it wouldnt have taken any load.
 
#25 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

Update @ new relay didn't do the job Kez
This may well turn out to be the definitive
Aircon thread ! I didn't check with the meter
But I suppose we have proved that would have
Proved it wouldn't work with the new relay
Next step Kez ?
 
#26 ·
Re: 09 9-3 stopped blowing chilled air

ok you need to see what voltage you are getting between terminals 85 & 86 of the relay base..............with multimeter set to dc 12v put one probe in 85 and one in 86 have the car running temp set to cold auto on know switch the aircon of button to on off (does this button light when you press to off).....................let me know the voltage if any

then probe 86 with the red lead of the multimeter and put the black probe on the battery earth..............what voltage do you get ??

then set multimeter to continuity so that it buzzes when both probes are touched together (depending on multimeter you have you may have to move the red probe from the multimeter and put it in where it says 10A)...............once you have done this put one probe into 85 and the other to battery earth does it buzz? when you toggle aircon on/off button

do this first then we can go on from here in meen time will get wiring diagram out .............suspect you have lost the switch wire to the coil tbh
 
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