2000 Astra - Aircon and hot air failure

Hi folks.

I've got a 2000/X Astra 1.7 DTi. This morning, I discovered that both the
hot air system and air con heating have both stopped working.

With the temperature selector set to maximum, but with the aircon unit off,
I get no warm air coming through my vents, only air at the outside
temperature. If I switch aircon on, I get chilled air coming through, where
it used to give me heated air.

My first thought was that a fuse had blown, but the fusebox diagram in my
owners manual does not correspond to the actual layout. So I called a
Vauxhall garage and asked for a correct fuse listing, but the engineer
pointed out that it was unlikely to be a fuse as the hot air and air con
systems are independant.

My drive to work is about 17 miles and the engine is up to normal
temperature within the first 5 miles.

I still intend to check the fuses, but can anyone suggest other possible
causes for this total heating failure?

Can anyone also confirm that my understanding of the heating system - that
there are seperate hot air and air con systems, both capable of heating the
car - is correct?


Jason

 

on my 2002 ASTRA there are 2 rads one in front of the other.
the front one is for the aircon and the rear one is for the cooling.

have you checked the water level in the cooling system.
do you have an air block in the heater.
is the heater fan working.

 

Coolant water level - not checked yet, but will do so as the vauxhall
engineer suggested this too.
Air block in the heater - don't think so... air flows out of the vents fine
Heater fan working - yes

 

No engine coolant left. Doh!

Refilled it and the heating has come back.

I guess I'm lucky I found out that way instead of having my engine overheat.

Jason

 

You might want to worry a bit about where all your engine coolant went...
When I 'ran out' of coolant on my old Astra, turned out I had a bust
head-gasket.
Might want to have a look at your oil and see if it's got any white gunk in
it.

 

Did you fill it with the proper coolant mix or just water? The coolant
also prevents corrosion and protects the rubber pipes and things.

As Chris says I'd be worrying about where the coolant went.

 

I popped down to the local tyre centre for an "emergency" refill, thinking
they'd put a proper water/additive mix in, but the guy there just added
water to the reservoir from a kettle.

I questioned whether it should have some kind of additive, and he said that
it's not necessary during the warmer months. I was somewhat sceptical about
this, but there was an immediate need for water in the engine so I just
accepted it.

I have noticed that there is a damp spot on the ground under the radiator
after the car has been parked for a while, so there may well be a leak.

I'll take it to a proper garage and get them to drain it down and refill it
with a proper mix, and ask them to check for a leak too.

Thanks.

Jason

 

i doubt very much water 'from a kettle' would be of sufficient volume to
upset the 'mixture' you have in your water system.

the leak has nothing to do with that at all and the machanic is right, plain
water will do ok, even in winter! but not too much .


there is another side to thios coin too.
if you have a leak, then your 'mixture' is running out & even if you did put
more of it in, it would still be weak & cost more than water!

get the leak look at, though sticking your head in or under the care
yourself doesnt harm you.

feel around the in/out pies of the rad or where you think it is coming
front.
it should be obvious by the staining , might just be a hose pipe click loose
or WHY>

mike