[newminimark]

Hooray, my auto aircon has decided it doesn't want to clear my windscreen and side windows anymore. It was really great driving in heavy rain, with a winscreen all misted, and no way of clearing it(I don't keep any clothes in my car as the aircon cleared the screen so well).

This is starting to get a bit annoying now, so I hope it is something small.

[Apial]

Quote:

I don't keep any clothes in my car

A MINI nudist then?

[robinboyes]

I have Auto aircon and it works well at the mo, but the car seems to steam up loads until the system has been on for some time. If I switch the air con off it mists up immediately!! I will mention this when it goes in for its first service, however a work mate also "steams up" with standard heating controls on thir mini one and I wondered whether it was anything to do with not getting enough fresh air into the car from outside?

Other than that the car is superb. Also if your steering pulls to the left subtly then you know that the engineers have done their job properly as the car is tracking to the camber of the road, but obviously if its a violent pull then it needs checking out!!

Happy mini motoring

[Root Ginger]

I have auto air con on permanently. There's no need to turn it off as it doesn't appear to make any difference fuel econonmy wise on or off.

The auto windscreen clearing mode takes about 5 - 10 secs to clear my windscreen as well. I normally use this first in the morning then switch back to auto.

[newminimark]

Ginge

Mine used to clear in 5 to 10 seconds as well. But it has stopped working. It was lovely driving tonight in the rain not being able to see properly.

When it does work, it is absolutely excellent, so you can see that I am a little p@~{{ed off at the mo.

[Root Ginger]

Interesting. Well I aint got a b100dy clue whats wrong with it then.

Does the air con work normally ie will it blow out cold air.

[MiniMayhem]

Quote:

Originally posted by newminimark
Ginge

Mine used to clear in 5 to 10 seconds as well. But it has stopped working. It was lovely driving tonight in the rain not being able to see properly.

When it does work, it is absolutely excellent, so you can see that I am a little p@~{{ed off at the mo.

Interesting...I currently have an Alfa 147 and that is usually good for not misting up with the climate control on. But today the screen threatened to mist up today for the first time even with the air conditioning on - maybe it's down to climate, temperature differences or humidity?

[newminimark]

I noticed that when I press the button to clear the windscreen, it doesn't blow out of the window vents, or the side vents, ie to clear the door windows. It used to until I had my phone kit fitted. I am now wandering if something was not put back properly or not. I may have a poke about tomorrow.

[Root Ginger]

Sounds like the motor to adjust the air flow direction isn't working then.

Hi all,

I've just registered and spotted this thread. I think that this is due to the A/C turning itself off to protect to pump in freezing (or close to) conditions.

My current Audi A4 has started doing this now that we are well into winter. The first time it did it I checked on the audi forum http://www.audiworld.com and the reason above was given, it's probably the same for the MINI.

Permanently leaving the climate control in economy (that is temperature control without the AC pump) helps to alleviate this when it is around freezing.

Cheers

Martin.

[R1]

My aircon, along with other electronics, stopped working and that was after fitting my phone. An electrical friend at work told me that fitting it could have confused some of the electronics. I disconected the battery cables and re-conected them. Hey presto, computer re-set and everythings worked since! Give it a try.

[InsiderMINI]

Note that air con systems (ATC or manual) will not function if the outside ambient air temperature drops below around 4 degrees celcius. This is the same for all air con systems and not just for the MINI.

[Root Ginger]

All very well InsiderMINI but it was minus 1.5 degrees when I got in my car this morning and the window clear worked perfectly.

[zoooooom]

I live in Scotland so who neads aircon?
No aircon= no problem PURE MAGIC

[Root Ginger]

Trust me once you've used the window clear you can't live without it.

Also once you've set the temperature you like you never have to touch it again. No constant up and down on the heater dial trying to get a good temp.

Oh yeah and cars with Air Con are worth more and easier to sell second hand. It is the fastest growing option to have on a car in the UK.

[InsiderMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ginge
All very well InsiderMINI but it was minus 1.5 degrees when I got in my car this morning and the window clear worked perfectly.

Also depends on the relative humidity of the air at the time. In low humidity conditions, it is easier for the normal heater system to clear a windscreen.

The MINI air conditioning is only switched on when the BC1 ECU requests a compressor activation, but only provided the evaporator (in the heater assembly) temp is not below or equal to 2 degrees celcius. (and assuming all other parameters are OK - engine on, refigerent pressure, etc).

[Root Ginger]

OK this is getting far too technical now!

[batemano]

Does the heated windscreen come with the automatic air conditioning option, or is it a seperate?

[R1]

Quote:

Originally posted by batemano
Does the heated windscreen come with the automatic air conditioning option, or is it a seperate?

No. It comes with the visability pack that includes the auto-wipers (I also think it comes with the headlamp washers, but I'm not sure). It may now be available on it's own as an option.

[m1les]

Ok InsiderMINI, where did you get that information from? I have looked up everything I can think of and I have still never found any set point info etc. Come on, spill the beans. If it is secret squirrel BMW stuff, why is it? I for one, would like to know how the car works.