My XK has always been a little challenged on the cooling aspect of things. It just takes forever to cool off the cabin and has trouble keeping up on hot days when not moving. It isn't an issue with refrig. as it is where it should be, the compressor was replaced a couple years ago when the clutch went and the dryer was done at the same time but it didn't change a thing. Any other thoughts before I take it in? It does get cool but just not cold.

 

Have you checked the climate control error codes?

Have you checked the low/high pressure sides of the compressor?

 

Mine does the same thing, had it evacuated and recharged, blows ice cold at speed but in town, stop and go traffic it gets warm.

 

Yeah Ice cold would never be how I would describe mine, maybe just on the cusp of making the ride tolerable is closer to the truth. Will check for codes tomorrow btw, I just would have assumed they would show via the code reader.

 

What does the front grill of your condenser look like? If it is pitted, bent up, or damaged in any obvious way, its ineffectiveness could be your root cause....

 

Jandreu
Without airflow through the condenser you cannot cool the freon. At speed you have all the airflow you need, but when stopped, there's none, hence no A/C. The 2 cooling fans should run all the time the A/C is on providing the nessessary air flow at low road speeds. Check to see if your fans are running.
Trevo,
It sounds as if something might be blocking your orifice tube. (Debris from the the old compressor?) Unfortunately the only way to check this is to remove it, and that requires the system to be evacuated.
Regards,

 

Condenser looks fine (no issues beyond what an 20 year old condenser would look like. The car has never had good ac since I owned it (old compressor worked for 2 years or so before the clutch going so I don't seen anything begin in there that wouldn't have gotten evacuated when the new refrig. went in. Both fans working as they should.

 

Yelp, my fans work correctly also, AC on Radiator Fans on.

 

FWIW when on max cooling the air out of the vents should be at 4 degrees C (39 F) so might be worth sticking thermometer in when you're moving along just to check "ice cold" is 4C. If it is at least it will confirm your thoughts that gas charge and compressor are correct

 

Mine has never seen temps that low. Probably best case is mid 50s and that would be on a mid 70 degree day.

 

For grins I just rechecked mine

No codes in the AC diagnostic just displays 0, Both fan running, AC condenser looks very good, no dents, bugs or issues in general......

 

Any error codes on the climate control LCD screen as per TestPoints's post?

If it's not getting down to 4C then refrigerant charge has to be a suspect which will throw error 23. I have a slow leak somewhere in the AC system and re-gas every 2 years and it's fine. Not worth striping out the system to find it. It's so rare it gets that hot weatherise over here

 

I don't have the car right now. My dad has it as I was fixing his brakes on his pu. Should have it back tomorrow and will check the codes. The refrigerant is not an issue. It has always had the proper amount in it according to the gauge and has always had the same issue. Wish it was just a slow leak but sadly it isn't that.

 

It has been mentioned but I would go with a clogged expansion valve that should have been replaced along with the compressor and dryer a couple years ago. It is called an air conditioning SYSTEM intentionally. One part fails can take the overall system with it.

 

Ah but as I said long (years) before the clutch failed on the compressor the same issue was there. Not saying it might not be an issue but I didn't replace it as it was a huge pita if I remember right to get to the damn thing.

 

Car is back and it had 2 codes stored. I cleared both and will give it a day or two to see if they come back.

23 Refrigerant pressure switch malfunction Harness / connector fault Switch open / short circuit
Refer to PDU23 Refrigerant pressure low refrigerant charge *Leak from damaged pipe or joint
Rectify as required and recharge system
24 Face vent demand potentiometer fault Potentiometer open / short circuit Harness / connector
fault Refer to PDU

 

The 24 code returned today. Checked the low side pressure it is around 55psi with the system on high. Outside temp is around 90 degrees today. Thoughts?

 

At 90*F the 55 psi is within range but on the high side.

The next question is what is the high pressure side reading? Should be 250 to 270 at that 90*.

A link to the R 134a temp vs pressure chart is below.

The climate control trouble codes seems to be saying that you have a problem with the dash thermostat that controls the duty cycling of the compressor.

Unfamiliar with test procedure for the climate control system as mine hasn't failed . . . yet. But the climate control potentiometer is located behind the small, one inch square, vent to the right of the steering column low on the fascia. There is a small fan that circulates air through that vent in order for the pot to register the temperature. Clogged up with lint or a failed fan might produce the symptoms you describe with the 24 code.

 

I don't have a gauge for the high side but will look into the vent and see what is going on. I never heard a fan on it (on our x type I hear the fan all the time) but come to think of it I haven't heard the fan in the xjr either.

So there are two of the square vents one on each side. What is the left one for. Both look clean from the outside. Guess I need to take the kick panel off to investigate.

 

The left one is only there to match the right one. The right one will pry out with a flat tool without taking the fascia off. The tiny fan and sensor comes out with the face.

Some have used the hole on the left for a switch or button to control something like the antenna.

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