My 2003 X Type is periodically blowing ac compressor fuses. There are no noises and the system works perfect and is running around 40 to 45 low side and around 200 to 210 with ambient around 80. Can anyone help with some ideas as this is the first time I've ever tried to post anything, I hope I did it correctly!

 

Dan, we hear you loud and clear. Based on what you are describing, I would be looking over the engine bay for a damaged wire. The insulation most likely got rubbed off of a wire and then as you hit a bump or take a corner fast, the wire is coming in contact with the body (or engine piece) and is grounding out, leading to the fuse blowing due to the excessive current.

 

Thanks Thermo, I will back track the ac primary wire and look for any chafing. I'll let everyone know what I find. May take a while. Do you or anyone know if the system is designed to blow a fuse if any other component is faulty, or maybe its not that smart?

 

Don, looking at the diagrams, you will need to check 2 fuses, F23 in the fuse box under the hood and F36 under the hood. F23 only does the A/C compressor, but F36 controls a fair amount of stuff (a bunch of engine controls and the wiper wash motor). So, if you want, when the A/C stops working on you, you can attempt to wash your windshield and if that works, then you know fuse F36 is good.

If you are replacing fuse F23, you really only have a wire that runs from the fuse to relay R6 in the fuse box, then a red/green wire that runs to the A/C compressor. The A/C compressor is then grounded to the engine. This is a pretty simple circuit to try and figure out what is causing the fuse to blow. If you need more help, let me know. If the electrical diagrams for the car would help, let me know.

 

Hey Thermo,

Thanks for the info. The F 23 fuse is the one I've been replacing but it hasn' t blown since the other day and is working fine right now. Maybe the short has shifted because I did go under and unplug the ac wire and drove the car to see if something else was causing my short. It would be great to see the diagrams you're looking at. Thanks again for helping me and many others.

 

Dan, send me a PM with your e-mail addy and I will send you the diagrams. If you still have the compressor unplugged and the fuse is not blowing, it may very well be that the clutch is the source of your grounding and what is happening is the input wire has gotten damaged and it is making intermittent contact with the pulley (or some other metal part of the compressor) and therefore pulls too much current and leads to the fuse blowing. You may be needing to replace the clutch itself. Fortunately, this can be done without having to drain the system of its freon.

 

Hey Thermo,

I had plugged the wire back in and it lasted all day then the next day it blew again. I didn't drive it with it unplugged but I think I'll try that next. I'm new to this and not sure how to send you a PM?

 

Dan, click my name in one of my posts. This should bring up a small pop up window. One of the selections in it will say to send me a Private Message. Click on that and type your message. Worst case, you may need 10 posts before this will become an option. You are almost there.

 

Hey Thermo,

I sent you a PM with my e-mail address. I hope you got it .I haven't done any more with diagnosing the problem, but hope to this week. It's hot here in the Carolinas around 100F. Maybe the PM didn't work because I don't have enough posts? Thanks again for any help you and the members can provide. It's good not to feel alone when we have Jaguar forums on our side.

 

Dan, I sent you an e-mail. If you need any additional info, let me know.

 

Hey Chris,

Got your e-mail, "ll let you know what I find. Thanks again

 

Hey Chris,

I disconnected the a/c clutch wire and drove the car for a week. the fuse never blew out so I traced the loom of wires but the wire was in the plastic protector with no site of any wires or any chafing. The fuse still hasn't blown out since then. I now need some more advice as I have code 333 knock sensor 2 circuit hi input bank 2 and when the light is on the cruise not available comes on. Can you tell me how many knock sensors and where they are located on our 03 2.5,s. What is my best plan of repair based on this new info. Thanks in advance from you and any members with this experience.

 

Dan, if you disconnected the clutch and the fuse didn't blow, then your A/C clutch is grounding and you need a new A/C clutch (doesn't require evacuating the freon as the clutch bolts on to the front of the compressor).

As for your knock sensor issue, the knock sensors are located on top of the engine by the fuel rails. So, you will need to remove the top half of the intake and then you should be able to get to the knock sensors then.