So, the plot thickens....
This is current situation:
LO, max power, no AC (no frost flake), running engine (car warm) temp is ~19C.
Same settings but press the snow flake: temp stays the same. No change at all - 19C.
No noise at all when pressing snowflake, though the AC condensers do come on at front of car.
OK, so I go to Halfords for a "free check"; I just wanted to see if there was anything in the system. Chap has one of those cans with the PSI gauge on it. Not a good start. Anyway, he puts it on and the pressure is low/none existent.
So I'm thinking leak or it never got refreshed after some work...
I explain it needs 900g along with the correct oil but he's like "er this is PSI and has coloured regions on the dial". We figure it's worth putting some in to see if it holds. At least I'll know if there is a gaping leak anywhere.
So he fills it so it's in the green zone. I believe somewhere between 25-40 PSI . (it was about 17C today).
With the car running and AC on the pressure seems to hold in that zone but still no AC.... Temp at vents doesn't change...
He doesn't charge me (I should hope not!) and I ***** off.
On drive back when I have the AC on it now produces a very strange noise...
https://youtu.be/ylLLgnCUfow
It's coming from very near the refill valves and battery in the frunk. It comes on when AC is activated and stops when AC turned off. The fan speed does not affect the noise.
This is the history:
- 2012 AC condensers replaced
- 2018 TVR101 did an AC service. I rang them today and they confirmed that they drained and refilled system. No problems
What should be my next steps?
- What's that noise!? Is it because there is a non-zero but not enough amount of gas in the system?
- I have an Autel 805. It has a lot of 996 info. Is there anything I can check that would help identify an issue? It has live reporting too if there is a test I could do with the AC on/off?
- Should I take it to somewhere with a proper machine and get it gassed?
- Should I just wait a week and take it to see if all the gas has gone?
- Should I check the compressor?
The fact there is no gas says to me that there was a leak, but that doesn't explain why the system didn't work when it was gassed and under pressure?