Air Conditiong Issue

[Phil Price]

Hi,

I have an S Type (2004) and the air conditioning has suddenly failed...windows misted up!! Took it to a garage where they checked for gas in the system, all ok on that front. Checked compressor was running, all ok on that front. After much scratching of heads, I was told it must be the air directional vents in the dashboard ( I understand there are 4 ). I have cold air blowing to my feet, coldish air blowing to my face. The passenger unfortunately is roasting. This suggests to me that whilst I DO have air con, it is not being directed to the areas where I want it. The garage I took it to rang the Jaguar dealer and explained the problem to them and they agreed it could be the directional motors that have failed ( my argument is "all 4 at once" !!). They recommend to replace all four motors at a cost of about £30 per motor. Anybody else experienced this? Any help or advice would be most welcome. I'm trying to avoid huge repair bills here!!

Edited June 24, 2017 by Phil Price
No tag

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Hello Phil

Your post is certainly there for all to read!  We have a 2007 S-type which doesn't have your problem.  However, occasionally I did have a "grumbling" noise from somewhere in the dashboard which, to cut a long story short, was diagnosed as the directional motors......still working perfectly, but making a noise about it.   Strangely, the problem disappeared recently, although the climate system is working perfectly.

Whilst at the Jaguar Parts Day at Stoneleigh, we spoke with a Jaguar Technical fellow who suggested we should be best living with the grumblies as the particular motors are buried right at the front of the dashboard area; parts are not particularly expensive but the labour bill could be a little frightening.  This Jag Tech chap did explain that if the motors fail, then the climate system will not work well.  However, all 4 at the same time does seem a little unusual.

We think a call to a Jaguar Independent Specialist would be best.....somebody who knows Jaguars, rather than somebody who needs to call the main dealer to ask the question!  You'll also find that Jag Indie labour bills will be considerably less than Main Dealer.    Another point the Jag Tech chap made.......unless you are very handy, don't try dismantling the dash yourself!

Good luck, hopefully happy growling!

[Phil Price]

Hi,

 

Thank you for that, strangely enough now that you mention it...I do have a little growling coming from within the dashboard after I switch the ignition off, well not so much of a growl but a little "scratching" noise, at first I thought it was a mouse (not kidding). And no I certainly WILL NOT be attempting to undo the dashboard myself. Are there any independent Jaguar specialists down my area Neath/Swansea?

 

Many thanks for your help anyway.

 

Phil

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

What you describe is exactly what we had, with regard to the "grumblies" which were there for a while even after parking up and switching ignition off.   A good session with Mr Google should reveal any Jag Indies down your way.  (Incidentally, although we are Midlands based, our low-mileage XK X150 came from South Wales - Stratstone in Cardiff.)

Again, good luck and hopefully somebody might have some more detailed info.

Happy (hot/cold) growling

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Try Mistermatic Jaguar, 

Queensway, Fforest-fach, Swansea SA5

Hours: 

Closed now 

 

Seem to have good reviews, although we don't have direct personal experience.

 

Onwards and Jaguarwards

 

Phone: 01792 589469

[Phil Price]

Hi,

 

Many many thanks for you help.

 

Regards,

 

Phil

[Lazlo Woodbine]

There is a procedure for resetting the blender flaps. They can get out of sync and make scratchy noises in the dash as one or more try to go past their stops. It's worth doing this sooner rather than later as the motors are DC and don't appreciate being powered with nowhere to go. They can fail, but all four at once? No, the chances are so minuscule that I'm happy to say that that is absolutely not the case here.

• Select full cooling -Lo
• Select full heating - Hi
• Back to full cooling
• Select face followed by floor
• Then select face again
• Finally select defrost

 

A favourite cause of hot-one-side, cool-the-other is a faulty DCCV or Dual Climate Control Valve. It's an electric solenoid controlled water valve (like the fill valve on a washing machine) which regulates the flow of water to the heater matrix. One side of it failing can cause the symptom you describe. But I would try to get the flaps to behave themselves before delving into that.

This is a very handy site; http://jaguarclimatecontrol.com/

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Just in case you do end up suspecting the DCCV don't let a garage just replace it. Anyone worthy of working on a car is capable of testing it first. This popular tactic of just changing parts until the problem goes away is wasteful and wrong. Unfortunately main dealers are often the worst for this lazy approach, personal opinion.

[Phil Price]

Hi to everyone that has responded to my problem,

 

I am overwhelmed by the responses I have had, and the knowledge shared amongst you.

 

Many thanks.

 

Phil

[Lazlo Woodbine]

You're welcome.

Lettuce know how you get on with your car. If you need or want more input then just ask away, it's what the forum's for.

[Phil Price]

Hi,

 

I've tried...to no avail, the resetting of the blender flaps as per the procedure. Still getting cold(ish) air to my face, cold to my feet, when required, and passenger still roasting. Looks as though I could be back to square one on this one. I haven't yet contacted the Independent Jaguar Specialist down our way as yet...will do that in the morning. They could possibly throw some light on this issue.

 

Thanks again.

[Lazlo Woodbine]

That's a shame. I must admit that the significant difference in temperature left to right that you described made me think DCCV. But I was hopeful that it could be down to flaps due to the scratching sound.

Check out that link I posted above and have a look at the DIY section. I'm not suggesting you delve into it yourself but it could be very useful to know when looking for someone to do repairs. Bare in mind it's an American site so some translating may be required.

 

Nice looking hund by the way.

[Phil Price]

I would just like to thank all the contributors who commented on my air conditioning problem (in particular Carole Simpson-Hadley) who put me in touch with an independent Jaguar Specialist, MISTERMATIC Jaguar, based in Swansea which I have managed to get around to calling today. After explaining the problem to him over the phone, he concurred with all of you who commented that it could be one of two problems:-

1. Dual Climate Control Panel (located on dashboard )

2. Heater Control Valve.

He described why the problem occured in the first place, which is what I was looking for. A common fault apparently.

I'm probably looking at a repair bill of approx £300, parts and labour. Which I can live with. He also suggested in order to keep the cost down to dispense with the Dual Climate Control facility or by-pass it like most people who have experienced this problem have done. In other words he was very helpful. Due to my work commitments it will not be going in for repair until the end of the month. All looking positive.

 

Many thanks again.

Phil

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Good to read/hear, Phil, that a solution appears to be on the horizon, a solution to what could have proven to be a very frustrating/uncomfortable/expensive problem!  

Our experience so far in our Jaguar ownership has been very favourable with regard to the Jaguar Indie specialists.   We have used one in Birmingham with our S, who plugged the diagnostic in to ascertain the exact cause of our problem and didn't charge for the diagnostic, then produced the completed job at considerably less than the main dealer.   Also, we take our XK X150 to Elite Performance & Jaguar in Derby, who are very straightforward, helpful, and appear to do a very good job.        Good for you that there is one local to you, and happy to help, if only in a small way.

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome!

As always, happy growling