FIAT 2001 2.8Lt Aircon Grounding Problems

[LandRoutes]

Thank you for reading this request!

I have a 2001 Fiat 2.8 in my N+B Motorcaravan with an in-dash airconditioner. Last year in Egypt the whole airconditioning system vaporized into thin (HOT! 45 degrees!) air!!! First the large 50 amp relays in the small box above the radiator fans melted down. I replaced them. Then the Compressor clutch stopped engaging so we just gave in and opened the windows to let in the outside air. The rest of the next 2 months were like riding in a rolling convection oven.

When we got to Israel we found an Air-con specialist. He traced the erratic problem with the compressor not engaging down to an irregular ground. He connected a wire to the connection block that sits just above the freon dryer block located just to the right side of the engine and above the starter battery. His solution was that to find this ground fault would be costly, but if I could put up with the inconvenience, I should just touch the end if the wire that he has fixed to the connector to any chassis member and ground it. Voila! it always re-sets the problem and everything works again! This is OK but I really would like to know if anyone has the same problem? What is the situation with the grounding wire? How can I repair the situation back to the original FIAT configuration? Where could the ground fault originate? Any and all commentary is appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[1967bowesj]

aircon grounding cable

Thank you for reading this request!

I have a 2001 Fiat 2.8 in my N+B Motorcaravan with an in-dash airconditioner. Last year in Egypt the whole airconditioning system vaporized into thin (HOT! 45 degrees!) air!!! First the large 50 amp relays in the small box above the radiator fans melted down. I replaced them. Then the Compressor clutch stopped engaging so we just gave in and opened the windows to let in the outside air. The rest of the next 2 months were like riding in a rolling convection oven.

When we got to Israel we found an Air-con specialist. He traced the erratic problem with the compressor not engaging down to an irregular ground. He connected a wire to the connection block that sits just above the freon dryer block located just to the right side of the engine and above the starter battery. His solution was that to find this ground fault would be costly, but if I could put up with the inconvenience, I should just touch the end if the wire that he has fixed to the connector to any chassis member and ground it. Voila! it always re-sets the problem and everything works again! This is OK but I really would like to know if anyone has the same problem? What is the situation with the grounding wire? How can I repair the situation back to the original FIAT configuration? Where could the ground fault originate? Any and all commentary is appreciated!!! Thanks!

Hi Landroutes I would get yourself on to this web site someone on there will be able to help The FIAT Forum - For Talk On All Things FIAT

 

[LandRoutes]

Thanks for the tip but I have only found it to be an enthusiast site for FIAT owners looking at and applying all kinds of chrome and lights to their buggies, no A/C knowledge there… mechanical that is! I have used an “Ask an Expert” site in the USA before with quite a bit of success but that was for an old Nissan, unfortunately there is no mechanical knowledge basis for FIAT in America. Maybe someone has used this type of knowledge base over here on the continent? Your direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[oldiebutgoodie]

There is nothing about styling etc. in the commercials section - there is also the mpv section - I would give them a try, after all they are the vehicles with the aircon fitted.
There is plenty of mechanical and electrical knowledge on these forums, some members are Fiat garage hands.