3200 air conditioning stopped working after setting "re-circulation" to off

[timkee330ci]

The air conditioning worked faultlessly before. Last night when i was driving i smell petrol in the cabin so i switch the recirculation from on to off. I didnt notice what state was the "econ" button.
After a few more minutes driving i notice the air from the vent is moist and warm.
After parking and restarting the car, air cond is still not working. Turn off battery for a few hours, still no good. Fuse No. 6 checked intact, which is located in the passenger foot well.

I checked that the engine rpm does not drop at all when i tried to switch on the air con. I cannot hear fan coming on in the engine bay.
Wind speed is normal and responsive to the temp knob, hot air works too.

I followed the manual and check for error in the air cond system by pressing the recirculation and econ buttons simultaneously with engine running, no error code stored, just AA, 00, then AA on the LED display.
Also ran the manual self teaching procedure once according to manual, still no good.

Any ideas? Doesnt look like mechanical failure of the compressor as it works beautifully before. Could it be the clutch stuck at non-engaging position due to me pressing the econ button?

 

[safrane]

Could the smell have been the contents of the system leaking out?

 

[timkee330ci]

but it definitely smells like petrol. I will bring it to an indie and have the refrigerant pressures checked.
Is it true that when the refrigerant pressure is below a limit the electromagnetic clutch would not engage?

 

[Chrisbassett]

but it definitely smells like petrol. I will bring it to an indie and have the refrigerant pressures checked.
Is it true that when the refrigerant pressure is below a limit the electromagnetic clutch would not engage?

I don't know about the aircon, but does the 3200 have a fuel vapour filter? If it does then that's probably the source of the petrol smell. My symptoms were that the smell would appear with less than half a tank, especially in hot days and under acceleration. The reason being that there is more vapour in those circumstances, and the filter is powered by the vacuum system, so sucks stronger under power. Replacing it got rid of the smell.

 

[CraigWaterman11]

but it definitely smells like petrol. I will bring it to an indie and have the refrigerant pressures checked.
Is it true that when the refrigerant pressure is below a limit the electromagnetic clutch would not engage?

Absolutely, the system not only carries Freon, it also carries lubricant. If it didn't shut itself down when it was low you could mess it up. The clutch shouldn't engage in any car when it's low, not just the Mas.

 

[timkee330ci]

Thanks for the reply guys, i will get the freon pressure check tomorrow. We have a sever thunderstorm here in Hong Kong, everything is closed down!
I am not sure about the fuel vapor filter, but the petrol smell only appears when the tank is almost empty when the warning light is lit. Maybe i have the same problem as yours!http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=250111&noquote=1

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Thanks for the reply guys, i will get the freon pressure check tomorrow. We have a sever thunderstorm here in Hong Kong, everything is closed down!
I am not sure about the fuel vapor filter, but the petrol smell only appears when the tank is almost empty when the warning light is lit. Maybe i have the same problem as yours!http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=250111&noquote=1

Timkee I heard about the Typhoon be safe my friend, the Mas. doesn't float very well!!

 

[timkee330ci]

Took the car to recharge refrigerant yesterday. Install the pressure gauge connected to the low pressure line shows very low pressure, I.e. empty freon. Recharged three bottles of refrigerant then the compressor came on and cold air blowing.
A few hours later I washed the car, heard hizzing sound under the bonnet. Turn onengine and ac, saw a lot of fume came out from the condenser and hoses connection.
How common is a leaky condenser? Any source of the part other than euroapares? Thanks alot.

 

[davy83]

I have had three leaks in the AC system, am in the process of repairing it again right now. The hoses don't last forever, and once they are old can break up inside while work is being done and they leak, or just old fashioned corrosion, around the hose couplings. The compressor itself also has seals although i don't think these are particularly fragile, they are also a common make and don't think had to get replaced. The biggest problem i have had is the cooling radiator which has two little pegs sticking down out which catch kerbs and stuff and so the radiator gets bent easily. And yes when your coolant pressure drops the compressor clutch disengages to protect the compressor. if you have a hissing noise then you should be able to see where the problem is!