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Polarismd



Member Since: 13 Feb 2022
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 62

United Kingdom 
Puma Air Conditioning
I have a 2008 XS and the air conditioning isn't working. Thanks to the many posts and wiring diagrams on here I have been able to check most of it.

My problem is the compressor, I think!

I got a new one and plugged it in (not installed properly) as I need the gas removing first.

When I turn on the air conditioning without the engine running should I hear the clutch engage? There is no obvious "click".

Should the pulley have some resistance when on?

If so, the new one isn't working either.

When I disconnect the wiring I get an Air Conditioning Clutch error code, when I reconnect and I clear errors it disappears - so in theory the wiring to the compressor is fine.

So what I am asking really, is does anyone know of a way to check the compressor? Should there be an audible click from the A/C compressor clutch?

Thanks in advance.

Chris
Post #996126 13th Jun 2023 1:37pm
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DuncanS



Member Since: 06 Dec 2013
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 299

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
As far as I'm aware it won't even kick in if it doesn't see the correct pressure in the system. I need to get some investigation done on mine as it held vacuum on a test for a couple of hours but has still dropped its coolant already. Probably a condenser swap I'm guessing. North Cumbria Search and Rescue - Team Leader
Post #996131 13th Jun 2023 1:52pm
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hornet



Member Since: 04 Jan 2010
Location: Western Europe
Posts: 361

Re: Puma Air Conditioning
Polarismd wrote:
[...]

When I turn on the air conditioning without the engine running should I hear the clutch engage? There is no obvious "click".

[...]


When my AC was drained because of some work to be performed and they forgot to refill ist, it behaved like you described, no clutch engagement. So DuncanS is right and you should not worry.
Post #996143 13th Jun 2023 2:26pm
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1051

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
I did a fair bit of my AC work when I lived in America - the land of the free. Typically the systems are simple and are easy to work on responsibly without ruining the environment. In Europe they just like to regulate everything to protect vested interests, and they do this by telling people 'its complicated' as if AC technicians need master degree.

In the olden days every system was the same (R134A with On-Off clutch driven compressor, evaporator and condenser fan, a pressure switch and maybe a thermostat against icing). Nowadays its more computer driven with more inputs and possibly a variable displacement compressor, but obviously the concept is the same.

Your AC compressor is relying on the gas in the system to circulate the oil and receive lubrication. The system has a pressure switch (probably more, but only really needs a hi and low pressure switch) which interlocks the compressor pump engagement if the amount of gas in the system is too low. You can jumper that to engage the clutch to test it, but it is probably best to just have the system evacuated and charged.

I am not sure what the Puma has, but on my Td5 it's a conventional engagement clutch where the pulley spins freely and the clutch connects the compressor shaft to the pulley. You can spin the clutch part (compressor) by hand and there should be a slight resistance, but not much as you are not building any pressure by hand.

Not sure what made you decide to change the compressor. Normally a failing compressor is noisy (as in bearing etc noises) or leaking gas. When it fails proper it sends shrapnel into system which is a pain to remove, typically requiring dismantling. Replacing a (properly) failed compressor without cleaning the system is just asking for more failures. Mostly the issues with AC systems are gas leaking out or electrical issues.

To find out if your compressor is working correctly you need to hook up (low and high) pressure gauges and measure the pressures with compressor and fans running, assuming there is gas in there of course. Obviously in Europe this is a capital offense so not something I recommend you do. I am sure your friendly neighbourhood AC expert can help you diagnose.
Post #996145 13th Jun 2023 2:54pm
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Polarismd



Member Since: 13 Feb 2022
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 62

United Kingdom 
Hi,

I did just have it regassed, the engineer said it was holding gas and I get no warning on ODB (which I am assuming I would get as the pressure sensor appears to be connected to the ECU).

Trying to find a decent Air Conditioning engineer is very difficult.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Chris
Post #996148 13th Jun 2023 3:08pm
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1051

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
If it has gas, but the compressor clutch is not engaging don't suspect the pump is faulty necessary. The clutch could be faulty, but most likely it is not getting power. Anyway you should be able to change the clutch in situ, which saves you having to regass.

Had a quick look at a puma AC compressor on line and they look to be your standard Sanden rotary compressor with on-off clutch. To test the compressor you should able to power up the clutch with a 12v feed and you can hear it engage ( click) you can do this without the engine running, or with teh engine running at which point you should even create some cold air.. Alternatively you can put a meter or test light across the connector and see if 12v is reaching the compressor clutch.

If there is no power you found your issue and can start tracing back the relay etc.
Post #996178 13th Jun 2023 5:12pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Try calling Clayton Classics in Coventry.

They design and fit AC to classic cars and were brilliant in sorting out an issue on my truck when nobody else could. TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop
Post #996184 13th Jun 2023 6:04pm
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steveww



Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 568

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green
Post #996253 14th Jun 2023 2:26pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
That info is for their aftermarket retrofit AC system (which I have fitted and needed Clayton Classics to improve to reach optimal performance). That document does not relate to factory land rover AC TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop
Post #996298 14th Jun 2023 7:50pm
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steveww



Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 568

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green
Yes I know it's not the factory system.
The document does however provide useful information on how an A/C system works and typical electrical connections. Useful background reading.

I was just trying to be helpful.
Post #996358 15th Jun 2023 10:11am
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
Thumbs Up didn't mean to imply otherwise!

I had a lot of issues with that unit until Clayton's sorted it out for me so I was just trying to emphasise that is not standard LR

That said, when working properly it is a super efficient HVAC system which I now have tipping out cold air at 1-2C which is a real win, particularly for anyone doing a Puma dash conversion TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop
Post #996379 15th Jun 2023 12:32pm
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Polarismd



Member Since: 13 Feb 2022
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 62

United Kingdom 
Update
Hi

I shorted the compressor as recommended by Texas Rover, and I have bypassed the fan relay. Air conditioning works, not brilliant but it's cold.

The fault looks like R100 or both the compressor and fan relay have failed. However both click when attached directly to 12v battery.

I am a little confused as to the location of R100? Or indeed the locations of the pressure switch, trinary etc?

Does anyone have that info?

Thanks

Chris
Post #996604 17th Jun 2023 10:39am
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Millerdark



Member Since: 16 Sep 2015
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Fuji White
If you go to the following site. It provides details and location.
https://www.lrworkshop.com/connectors/defender-2007/R100
Post #997556 26th Jun 2023 11:04am
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Polarismd



Member Since: 13 Feb 2022
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 62

United Kingdom 
Hi,

I just thought I would update on this.

It turns out it was the condenser. It was holding gas but had been pinched by a stone that lodged between the vane, in exactly the same location as a broken slat on the grill. It wasn't visible because the fan blade covered it. A fluke.

What I am still confused about is why the A/C wouldn't work if the system was holding gas.

I found a replacement condenser on ebay that fits the Puma perfectly, except it is much larger. And requires a 14" fan rather than the 12" one. The A/C engineer regassed with 625g and all is well.

Anyone out there looking for a stainless steel frame to fit around the original? I have one for sale.

Thanks for all the assistance.

Chris
Post #999729 12th Jul 2023 6:54am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3414

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
I think the Defender condenser is just a length of flat tubing that 'serpentines', so the refrigerant flows through the condenser tubing kind of in series. If one of the pipes is pinched, then the whole condenser will be blocked, and there could be excessive pressure on the compressor. I do not know if the pressure switch can detect this and protects the system. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #999734 12th Jul 2023 7:20am
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