V70 Air Con: Poor internal heat output

[skye740]

Evening all,

Been some time since I've posted on forum, probably due to my wonderful p2 '05 70 behaving until now.
As winter has decided to arrive this week, I've now noticed that I'm not really feeling that warm in the car, for example once car has been run after 10mins driving, water temp needle is bang on centre which it always has been, but with ECC set to AUTO and at 22 - MAX C the warmth from vents is marginally warm.

Following some searching on here i have ran a few checks after a run:-

* Checked the dampers all move when changing temp hot to cold - all making the right noises and movement when viewed from below.

* Felt the matrix pipes on bulkhead - both are hot enough not to hold onto for too long, same internally with the panels removed to expose the pipes - both are hot.

*Rad hoses - top is hot - bottom is cooler.

* No coolant loss ever.

* Had a fridge/room thermometer sitting in car (trailing end in the footwell vent). Can get 45C at vent and eventually 25C in car - by using a combination of turning of AC until misting starts - then turning it back on reduces temp somewhat. But the reading do not corrolate to the dial temps.

* Ran Vida on CCM module - again checks all dampers work.
- DTC's are the AQS (cant remember code) which has been duff since i got car 3 yr ago, and CCM-0070 but cant seem to ascertain if that is because of the AQS code or the ECC module is stuffed.


Advice appreciated?

Next steps subject to any feedback will be -
T/belt getting changed in the next few weeks and beforehand I will do a flush or two in case of a bit of sludging in matrix, which I find unlikely as the output from both hoses feels engine temp hot.


Cheers

Chris

[staffy460]

same as mine not relly hot just warm

[reggit]

Chris, are both sides the same temperature? Have you tride cleaning the little grille on the front of the CCM module? The thermistor sits inside it and can get clogged up in dust. There is also a little fan in there to circulate air over the thermistor, Use a vacuum cleaner pipe on the outside of the vent.

Mines got the opposite problem, it's trying to boil me out of the car, but only on the driverside. - suspect somethings broken in the heater box as I can hear a tapping noise under the dash when changing temperature.

[MarvinMitt]

Is it a problem of air flow (fan, dampers, blocked pollen filter, air blow-by) or air temperature (thermistor, heater matrix, CCM) when it's dialled to max/red?

[barrybritcher]

turn off auto for a start, run it manually at max

[skye740]

Thanks for the replies, will answer individually below:-

Originally Posted by reggit

Chris, are both sides the same temperature? Have you tride cleaning the little grille on the front of the CCM module? The thermistor sits inside it and can get clogged up in dust. There is also a little fan in there to circulate air over the thermistor, Use a vacuum cleaner pipe on the outside of the vent.

Yep same temp both sides, I had forgotten to mention I’d taken front cover off ECC panel to check thermistor was not broken or dusty, but could not see a fan even after a suck with hoover.

Originally Posted by MarvinMitt

Is it a problem of air flow (fan, dampers, blocked pollen filter, air blow-by) or air temperature (thermistor, heater matrix, CCM) when it's dialled to max/red?

No airflow is excellent. The fan on manual will blow you away almost. It’s seems that is not drawing enough of the heat away from matrix, but the damper doors are working so this is why I’m coming up a blank.

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

turn off auto for a start, run it manually at max

I have also had it on manual with and without AC, to increase the heat but this only works slightly.

[MarvinMitt]

Regardless of the cabin temperature sensor or auto/manual mode, if the temperature dial is maxed, it must blow all the heat it can.
Might not be your case and as severe, but I've read some aftermarket heater matrixes have less fins and heat poorly.
But I would still suspect a problem with the dampers.

[Munroman59]

When I got mine a couple of years ago, I was freezing, but had to use the car for 4 weeks before I got time to check it.

Eventually I tried checking the thermistor, upon removing the panel I found that it wasn't plugged in at all.
It was probably unplugged when the previous owner had an lpg conversion fitted, 4 years before.

Since it has been refitted properly the system works perfectly.

[skye740]

Originally Posted by MarvinMitt

Regardless of the cabin temperature sensor or auto/manual mode, if the temperature dial is maxed, it must blow all the heat it can.
Might not be your case and as severe, but I've read some aftermarket heater matrixes have less fins and heat poorly.
But I would still suspect a problem with the dampers.

Ok thanks, so how do I investigate more deeply on the dampers despite VIDA telling me they are working?

Originally Posted by Munroman59

When I got mine a couple of years ago, I was freezing, but had to use the car for 4 weeks before I got time to check it.

Eventually I tried checking the thermistor, upon removing the panel I found that it wasn't plugged in at all.
It was probably unplugged when the previous owner had an lpg conversion fitted, 4 years before.

Since it has been refitted properly the system works perfectly.

It used to be hotter, last winter for example, but can’t remember needing the heat more recently, so not sure when the problem has occurred.

[Dippydog]

I'd hazard a guess that the matrix is at least partially blocked and most of the coolant is being "forced" to go directly from the inlet straight to the outlet without going through the matrix.