Lada Vesta entered the Russian open spaces. The creators of this car presented many convenient options, promising a comfortable ride for the driver and passengers. Among other things, they promised climate control, which is already commonplace for foreign cars.
The first sales of Vesta have long passed, but the promised innovation has not yet appeared in the showroom. The factory installs a standard set - a heater for the cold season and an air conditioner for the hot season. It was decided to postpone the introduction of the combined system a little, but it will be introduced into the Lada Vesta, according to the plant management, without fail.
The current configuration is heat-cold in manual mode
On models currently being produced, even in the “sophisticated” modification of the Lada Vesta, the driver must manually switch the heating or cooling modes. This is manual climate control. To maintain the desired temperature, a complex consisting of a “stove”, an air conditioner and a fan is used. The mode control panel is located on the center console just above the gearshift lever.
The panel interface on currently produced Vesta cars is clear and easy to master in a few steps. The left handle (vernier) regulates the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin. Switching from heater to air conditioner is done by simply pressing this vernier. By turning the right knob you can change the fan modes. When you press it, air recirculation is turned on or it switches to natural air flow.
Operating principle
To better understand the nature of the malfunction of the climate control system on Kalina, it is advisable to have an understanding of both its design and operating principle.
The compressor unit is belt driven
. Quite often it is the pulley that causes the air conditioner to fail. When replacing it, it is necessary to install a belt of identical length. To do this, when buying a new belt, you need to have the old one on hand for comparison.
How to find out about temperature?
How high the temperature of the distilled air in the Lada Vesta is can be judged by the indicator located between the control handles. Digital values are not provided in this version; the driver must navigate using graphic scales of temperature and fan speed.
The developers of this Lada have saturated the climate control complex with several air supply options. Lada Vesta has five combinations, ranging from simple ones - only blowing the legs, to double ones, simultaneously blowing the driver's legs and face. To switch, use buttons located in two rows - three at the bottom and at the top of the indicator. The sixth button, located in the bottom row in the middle, is designed to simultaneously turn on the heated front and rear windows, as well as side mirrors.
Mode activation indicators are LEDs built into verniers and buttons.
As soon as the option is activated, the LED starts to glow. The glow is bright and visible even in sunny weather.
The air conditioner does not work on the Lada Kalina - causes and troubleshooting
A faulty air conditioner, especially in the hot season, is a very unpleasant occurrence. Being left without a source of coolness on a hot, sultry day is like being left in the desert without a drop of water. Well, perhaps this is not a very good comparison and perhaps slightly exaggerated, but sometimes non-working “air conditioning” evokes just such associations.
Today I will try to answer the question: “ Why does the air conditioner not work?” ". You will learn about the most likely causes of failure, as well as how and where to look for them. Go!
Diagnosing malfunctions of the Lada Kalina air conditioner becomes more complicated, primarily due to design features and “inconvenient” location. To get to the "cond" sometimes you have to dismantle almost half the interior.
A few words about the reasons for the malfunction of the Lada Kalina air conditioner
- Power outages.
- Interruptions in the operation of the evaporator temperature control sensor.
- Compressor clutch malfunction.
- Failure of the pressure level control sensor in the air conditioner coolant line.
- Low freon level in the cooling system.
What are the different modifications equipped with?
The equipment of the air conditioning system depends on the configuration of the Lada Vesta. We present the changes as the model becomes more complex.
- Only the simplest model – CLASSIC with a manual transmission – does not have air conditioning.
- From the COMFORT model, seat heating for the driver and front passenger has been added to the options.
- From the COMFORT\OPTIMA model, a heated windshield is added to the air conditioning in the car.
As climate options increase gradually from model to model of Lada Vesta, the buttons on the control panel are also activated. The maximum will be reached by the middle of the list.
If the air conditioner on your LADA does not work well or does not turn on
LADA cars are equipped with a compressor type air conditioner. During operation, malfunctions may appear in the operation of the climate system (does not turn on, is noisy, hums, or does not cool well). If you encounter similar problems, you can determine the cause of the breakdown yourself.
1 – capacitor; 2 – pipeline connecting the compressor to the evaporator; 3 – pipeline connecting the condenser to the evaporator; 4 – pipeline connecting the compressor to the evaporator; 5 – thermostatic valve; 6 – evaporator; 7 – compressor; 8 – pipeline connecting the compressor to the condenser; 9 – pressure sensor.
The air conditioning device on all modern LADA cars (XRAY, Vesta, Largus, Granta, Priora, Kalina and Niva 4x4) has no fundamental differences. Therefore, checking its operation is carried out in a similar way.
What the control panel will look like in the future
When climate control is installed on the Lada Vesta, the general appearance of the control panel will remain the same. However, the content will change. So there will no longer be icons on the left vernier, but divisions will appear, which you need to navigate by. With their help, the driver will be able to visually control the level of warm or cold air supply.
But this is for manual control mode. In Lada Vesta it will be possible to switch to automatic, and then the climate system will independently set the temperature in the cabin, based on the sensor. To switch to automatic mode, just press the desired key in the bottom row.
You can switch from the air conditioner to the stove and vice versa by pressing the vernier. Air recirculation is started in the same way, only with the right handle. The temperature display in the Lada Vesta is displayed on a small digital display installed in the place where the graphic temperature scale is located in cheaper models. As in the simpler version, all buttons and knobs are equipped with indicator lights that light up after the mode is activated.
Climate control functions
Few people probably know about this, and the videos say some nonsense. For example, now I have automatic mode set to 21 degrees. To disable the “auto” mode, you need to make other modes, for example, change the air flow.
This button seems to indicate that the air conditioning is running. But it doesn't actually work. This requires certain conditions: from -5 and warmer. And now it's -13 degrees.
What did I mean by this? When you turn on the “auto” mode, the air conditioning button turns on. Everyone starts to panic: “How is this possible? Now my air conditioner is constantly running, it’s freezing now, it breaks down and deteriorates.”
What shortcomings have already been identified?
Despite the short period of time that has passed since the Lada Vesta left the assembly line, some shortcomings in the operation of the equipment have already been discovered.
- The climate control flaps move with a quiet crunch that can alert the driver.
- The bottom airflow is not directed towards the pedals, but slightly higher. A strange decision for a country where severe frosts are common and shoes need to be heated.
Heating modes for the windshield, rear window and mirrors are activated with one key
- Due to the simultaneous inclusion in frosty conditions, heating is carried out very unevenly. Moreover, the rear window is cleared of ice faster than the windshield. The problem is solved only after reconfiguring the on-board computer.
- On the climate control panel, the MAX mode is provided not only for the window defrosting mode, but also for the air conditioner. However, for the second device, the maximum temperature is selected automatically.
Signs of a malfunctioning air conditioner
The air conditioner and the entire air conditioning system are considered to be working properly if a click is heard when the main unit is turned on. Auto mechanics identify several signs why the air conditioner on a Lada Kalina does not work. Malfunctions can be easily fixed with your own hands. If the unit is turned on without interruption, and the coupling makes extraneous sounds and gets hot, the cause of such a breakdown is related to the bearing. Repairing the air conditioner in this situation involves replacing the part.
If you do not hear a click, the following problems may exist:
- refrigerant leak, which contributes to blocking of the control system (this is the main reason why the compressor on Kalina does not turn on);
- pressure sensor malfunction;
- the coil winding burned out;
- The compressor does not turn on due to the motor control being blocked.
Components of the climate system
Easy and free rotation of the clutch, which is accompanied by extraneous noise, can cause compressor failure. There is no repair of the internal part of the compressor. The unit is replaced with a new one of the same type, fully assembled.
If the air conditioner is started and a click is heard, but the air in the Kalina cabin does not cool, it means that the compressor is running idle. Only qualified auto mechanics can detect such a breakdown. To do this, specialists use special control and diagnostic equipment. This procedure allows you to determine the exact cause of the air conditioner failure.
What is needed to clean the Lada Vesta air conditioner?
The most important thing is the air conditioner cleaner itself. Most often this is a special disinfectant spray or aerosol that is sold in car stores. Since I often service cars and have cleaned the air conditioner more than once, I had no problems choosing a cleaning product.
In general, you can consider these options:
- Conditioner cleaner Liqui Moly Klima Anlagen Reiniger (article 7577)
- StepUP Car air conditioner freshener (SP 5150N)
- StepUP Foam cleaner for car air conditioning (SP 5152)
- StepUP Extension Hose (SP 5154 K)
- Kerry Cleaner and air conditioner freshener 400ml (KR-916)
Liqui Moly is the most expensive option. At the time of writing (08/21/2018), the cost of this cleaner was 1059 rubles. Almost all Liqui Moly chemistry is of the highest quality. But there is not always the opportunity and desire to spend so much money. Then you can consider more budget options - StepUP and Kerry. In essence, StepUP is no different from its analogues. The price is about 400 rubles per cylinder. But there is a significant drawback - the kit does not include a special hose, and it costs about 350 rubles. If you want to service your air conditioner on a budget, then you should go straight to the store for Kerry chemicals. This is our Russian brand, which absolutely anyone can afford. The price per can is about 250 rubles. To be honest, I used all of these liquids and did not have any complaints about them.
We will also need a TORX T20 bit attachment and a tool where to insert it. Here, see for yourself what is convenient for you.
How to check the operation of the air conditioner
When turning on the air conditioner:
- there should be a click - this is the pressure disk, under the action of an electromagnetic clutch, engages with the drive pulley, and the compressor rotor begins to rotate.
- The electric fan of the cooling system should turn on (how to check the fan)
- The temperature of the air leaving the air ducts must decrease. If cold air does not flow from the deflectors, you should check the condition of the accessory drive belt.
If there is no click when the air conditioner is turned on, the following reasons are possible:
- There is a refrigerant leak and the control system blocks the compressor from turning on.
- The pressure sensor in the system is faulty.
- faults in electrical circuits, check fuses and relays (fuse box: XRAY, Vesta, Largus, Granta, Priora, Kalina, Lada 4×4).
- break in the electrical circuit of the electromagnetic clutch coil winding.
- The engine control unit for some reason (high coolant temperature, dead battery) blocked the compressor from turning on.
If there is any extraneous noise in the operation of the air conditioner ( noisy, humming, crackling
etc.), these may be signs of the beginning of destruction of the air conditioner clutch bearing. In this case, it may become warm or there may be burning odors.
If the clutch rotates easily and freely, but there is still noise when the air conditioner is turned on
or even the engine stalls, then most likely the compressor is jammed. The internal pumping part of the compressor cannot be repaired (replacement only).
If the clutch easily rotates the compressor shaft, but there is no cool air
. In this case, it only seems that the compressor is working, but in reality it is not pumping anything. Only an experienced specialist can determine the cause in this case.
Also the cause of poor operation of the air conditioner ( barely cool air blows
) the condenser (air conditioner radiator) may be dirty. Don't forget to have your air conditioning system serviced regularly.
If the air is not blowing well
, check the cabin air filter.
Attention!
If possible, carry out all work related to maintenance, repair, and dismantling of air conditioning system elements in specialized service centers. Contact of refrigerant on the skin will cause severe frostbite! It is recommended to only clean the air conditioner yourself.
In the comments to the article we resolve issues related to the incorrect operation of the air conditioner on LADA cars. We leave reviews of his work here. Have you encountered similar malfunctions? What was the cause of the problem?
