Have notoced that an awful lot of teh XJSs I see for sale have "A/C does not work" included in their description. Is this simply they are older and just need new freon or is there a standard issue wrt the a/c in the XJS?

Also, for the a/c to work are you just setting the temp dial to 65 and auto? I have only had the car for as few days and am still trying to figure out so apologies for the questions if they seem dmbass!

 

Like any other car leaks can develop, so, yes, in some cases it's just a matter of fixing the leak and recharging the system.

The Jags have a climate control system, not a "heater and air conditioner" and, like most climate control systems, they can be tricky to diagnose when acting up.... and repairs can get expensive. Sometimes horrendously expensive

If yours is working your ahead of the game.

Cheers
DD

 

I have a 96 XJS and found if you want just the AC turn on the AC and hit "manual" button (it will light) and adjust your temp and fan. Once cooled down you can switch over to the climate control system by hitting the "manual" button again (light will go out) and setting your temp - recommended to move the fan to position 2 as apparently this is the best speed for the climate control system to operate. On thing that baffled me until I figured it out was the slider on top of the AC controls is designed for use with the climate control as it will be used to set to blow hotter or cooler air than is set by the temp setting at the driver/passenger face from the center vents

 

a/cs in the XJS at least in the 80s i know use a compressor used in alot of cars in that day, so parts for it are cheap.

the fact is after a while most get a leak and so the a/c doesn't work. Or something will go wrong with the thermostat.

 

A/C wasn't working when I bought mine many moons ago. I had a renowned jag mechanic go through the car for $60 bucks (around 1996). He said all was in great condition, but pointed out that there was a leak in one particular hose.

I bought the hose and spent fifteen minutes replacing it, then went to have the system recharged with 134. I have felt like the most fortunate man ever since!

 

Once the refrigerant has disappeared out of the leak, (and over the years this leak doesn't have to let much out), the air con will be shut down due to the lack of pressure in the system, there is a safety switch somewhere, to protect the compressor from damage. Apart from small pipe joint leaks, the other common failure item is the condenser radiator at the front of the car. They commonly last about 10-12 years in countries that spread salt around in winter, although it can be longer.

 

Jaguar used a GM compressor which is not a top of the line unit IMHO. I'm on my third since owning this car ('88 XJ-SC). I have also converted over to R134. When it works it works well. When it doesn't things can get a bit toasty in the cabin.

 

The GM/Harrison A6 is an ancient design but they usually last for years and years and years. Unless you get "rebuilt" units, that is. Failure rate in pretty high on those, in my experience.

There are outfits making modern replacements for the old A6 nowadays.

Cheers
DD

 

my friend who is a mechanic says they are beasts so maybe hes just getting rotten rebuilds like you said