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yorkshirelandy



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 53
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Air con radiator fan - when should it be running?
Hi,

Had my air con regassed and it's colder but i also need to replace the heater valve as it's leaking...

A question though (and I have searched), when should the little air con fan run at the front of the grill?

I've yet to see or hear it run, just wondered if I need to investigate?

Thanks
Tom

Edit: spelling. '09 Puma 110 CSW XS
Post #833429 26th May 2020 9:39am
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Balvaig



Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 730
Scotland 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
Not a clue, but I haven't noticed mine running in 8 years of ownership of two defenders.
A/C works fine, so I haven't worried.
Enough other things to keep me busy though Laughing
Post #833434 26th May 2020 11:07am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4206
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
It must have some sort of temp control. Mine kicks in and out a lot in warm weather, not so much when it's cold out. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #833436 26th May 2020 11:26am
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463
United Kingdom 
The only time I seem to notice it, or at least I assume it’s the AC fan, is if I’m operating somewhere hot, say at least high 20s low 30s and I’ve slowed down after driving at higher speed e.g coming off of the autoroute in France.

There is then a low pitched roar from the fan.. I suppose it could also be easier the viscous fan on the engine..... Rolling Eyes 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #833438 26th May 2020 11:40am
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Mike c



Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 928
England 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Belize Green
As above, only when air temp reaches 28 degrees or above I think at least on the TD5 anyway, it's quite a roar when it does kick in! Mine came on last year when we had a few days in in 30s so it's not very often called into action in our climate in the UK.

Last edited by Mike c on 26th May 2020 5:36pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #833484 26th May 2020 3:46pm
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Balvaig



Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 730
Scotland 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
That explains why I never hear it then. Don't think I can ever recall temperatures reaching 28 up here in Fife!
Post #833505 26th May 2020 5:34pm
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discomog



Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
It actually reached 29.4C in June 2018 at the Fife weather station. Unbelievable but true Rolling with laughter Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8
Post #833525 26th May 2020 6:37pm
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3370
United Kingdom 
UtilityTruck wrote:
The only time I seem to notice it, or at least I assume it’s the AC fan, is if I’m operating somewhere hot, say at least high 20s low 30s and I’ve slowed down after driving at higher speed e.g coming off of the autoroute in France.

There is then a low pitched roar from the fan.. I suppose it could also be easier the viscous fan on the engine..... Rolling Eyes


I think you'll find the 'roar' from the fan when coming off the motorway is the viscous fan kicking in as the engine is hot but suddenly loses the cooling effect of the high speed air coming through.

The a/c fan is much quieter.
Post #833528 26th May 2020 6:43pm
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yorkshirelandy



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 53
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Thanks guys, I’ll see if the AC gets properly cold once I’ve changed the heater valve this week.

Fingers crossed! '09 Puma 110 CSW XS
Post #833547 26th May 2020 7:28pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816
Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
The roar you hear is the viscous fan which is related to the engine cooling circuit.
The A/C is the smaller electric fan in front of it. That will come on when you switch on A/C together with the interior ventilation fan which also will come on automatically then at lowest speed, even if the switch is in the off position.
Both A/C fan and interior ventilation fan should remain on as long as you have not switched the A/C off again. Without both fans and the A/C compressor working, no A/C cooling at all.
The only thing I don’t know is if the Puma Defender A/C system has a sensor which deactivates the entire system in cold weather when the outside ambient temp drops below a certain point. Our VW has that, its A/C won’t come on if ambient temp falls to under about 6°C.
But otherwise the Puma electric A/C fan should keep working permanently when A/C is switched on. No sensors at all to regulate its function according the required interior temp, purely a manual on/off system.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
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Post #833619 27th May 2020 2:16am
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yorkshirelandy



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 53
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Thanks Eric.

Sounds like I've got an issue then.

It was nice and warm when I tested it yesterday and the little fan never moved!

I'll start simple, fuses etc. '09 Puma 110 CSW XS
Post #833623 27th May 2020 5:18am
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Lodelaner



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lambourn
Posts: 631
United Kingdom 1988 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Shire Blue
@yorkshirelandy - I really think that you're over-thinking this - like a worried-well person!!

Always a good thought to check fuses periodically, but - does the AC work? If it isn't you'll know it - I once drove through a ford, dunked the condenser fan and blew the fuse, it was immediately obvious even in low 20's outside.

The info above isn't quite right. The AC system has various functions driven from the ECU depending on a number of parameters e.g. idle jack, speed, engine temp, load: see final post here...

https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic51495.html

achuakh wrote:
the ECU can control when to "request AC clutch" and when to "request AC fan".
When the driver turns on the AC, he "request AC" to the ecu via the 12v AC request at high.

The ECU then checks the operating conditions like engine temperature and engine rpm. If the temperature is ok and the engine is not labouring, the ecu will then "request AC clutch" and then "request AC fan". If the engine temperature is high, the ECU can also use the "request AC fan" to aid cooling If the engine rpm is high, then it will not immediately "request AC clutch"

When "AC clutch request" is made, depending on the RPM, there's a table in the ECU map to inject more fuel and it tapers down around 4000rpm.
 JB

@Lodelaner Instagram

Youtube greenlaning and other LR related content
Post #833655 27th May 2020 9:40am
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MR_JAMES



Member Since: 10 Oct 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 248
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
I think mine goes on and off in sync with the compressor. 1953 80"
1987 mini city e
2011 90"
Post #833765 27th May 2020 8:28pm
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yorkshirelandy



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 53
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
@widget I think you're right haha, it's an affliction!!

I'm gonna chill (no pun intended) and wait until I have the new valve fitted before I do any more digging.

It's definitely blowing colder than ambient temp so I'm happy with that. '09 Puma 110 CSW XS
Post #833770 27th May 2020 8:38pm
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yorkshirelandy



Member Since: 26 May 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 53
United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Just an update on my air con Smile

The main issue is, I assume all LR stuff to either not work or be generally crap...so I had no idea how cold the AC should have been...

Got it regassed, it was 'colder' than ambient..maybe?

Changed the stupid plastic heater valve that was leaking, new one leaked...

Changed it again, it leaked again...decided i'll live with it for now.

Checked the 20amp AC fuse, it had blown!

I cant believe I never checked it Embarassed

Anyway, fuse changed and I now have icy cold AC...happy chappy!

I have still yet to see the front AC fan running but as previously suggested there are a few parameters to meet before it kicks in. '09 Puma 110 CSW XS
Post #838751 21st Jun 2020 3:41pm
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