I have a 1.8i Arctic MK2.5 on a 2005 plate. The car has done less than 50K. It has built in AC as part of the Arctic upgrade. I have noticed this year that the car is constantly blowing warm air through the air vents despite what I set the controls too. The AC appears to be doing nothing. I have checked the linkage in the drivers footwell and all is moving well. If I increase the knob to call for more heat, this responds fine. If I reduce the knob for less heat, there is a reduction but nonetheless is blows warm and not cool air. If I switch the AC on / off, there is no noticeable difference
The only mods I have made to the care is an induction kit and rear pipe exhaust. I do not believe this is linked but I completed this upgrade last Winter, before I noticed the problem
Can anyone help please. The Matrix looks like a big job
I have owned the car for just over 2 years and the AC has not been serviced in my time. Do you think this is the root cause? I take it this needs completing via Mazda. Wished I lived near to MXSpares
I’d check the wiring at the A/C relays that are attached to the plastic panel behind the LH headlamp before paying for a re-gas. You may find that some of the wires have corroded and broken.
Hi. Lots of attention to the AC. Is the blowing of warm air through the vents normal. I can’t recal this last year
Will the damaged AC cables be obvious or do I need to dismantle the dashboard. The dashboard AC switch lights up when it’s in the on position if this helps
The AC relays are behind the passenger side headlamp, in the engine bay. The wire damage will be obvious, the wires will be broken.
With regard warm air through the vents in general, is the rubber seal in place that runs along the front of the plenham chamber and seals that from the engine compartment when the bonnet is closed?
You are absolutely right, the larger red/black cable is detached from the nearest relay to the headlamp. The Relay is marked H270 DC12V20A N.O IMASEN 4J 21. I have a picture if you need this
I guess I can get a new connector from MX5Spares? I can’t see a way to re-attach
Ref the seal, it runs along the width of the car and is intact, it is not fully attached to the body in several places i.e. its fixed at the ends, then dab glued approx every 200mm. Looks as built? Again I have a picture
I’d cut the whole connector off and crimp spade terminals to the wires then refit them back onto their corresponding terminals in the relay. You probably find that the rest of the wires for that relay and the ones on the other relay are all showing signs of their age.
The rubber strip should be secured to the body with a series of plastic clips that push into holes in the panel, maybe 5-6 accross it’s length. Sounds like yours is doing it’s job though. If it he seal is missing, warm air from the engine compartment can be drawn into the heater, the heater intake is under the plastic cover on the passenger side of the plenham chamber.
Spade crimps, of course! I still think I should get the AC serviced next Spring though? Is corrosion at the relay common or is this more sinister i.e. if there is no gas in the system, I guess it inhibits the AC compressor from working and thus causing damage; burn out of cable?
The rubber strip is fine. Could it be the Heat Matrix causing the warm air. The warm air is all around the feet too. I had thought heat was being generated from the gearbox housing but then I may be paranoid. I just don’t recall such heat in the cab 2013
Basically, after 20 or so miles, the cab feels really warm regardless of the weather; the hood is off. If I open the knob to call for warm air, it heats up and there is a reduction when I turn the knob down, but it never blows cool air
If the AC has been idle for a while (and even if it hasn’t) I would have it serviced/regassed as soon as possible and run the AC through the winter. Not 100% sure about the Mazda (mine is without AC) but most modern AC systems are designed to be used full-time. It keeps the cab fresh and the windows fog-free. And all the seals etc will be in use and won’t harden up and leak.
Most seem to be concentrating on the air con, but it is blowing warm air which seems to me that the cold air/hot air mixing flap needs adjustmentor the foam seals have failed?