1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 battery

Air Conditioning
System Fault Diagnosis ^=2?
System Fault Diagnosis
Probable causes of faults can be found by comparing actual system pressures, registered on the manifold gauge set
or recovery-recharge-recycie station, and the pressure to temperature relationship graphs found on the previous

page.
The chart below shows the interpretation that may be made by this difference. The 'Normal' condition is that
which is relevant to the prevailing ambient and evaporator temperatures.
Note: If erratic or
unusual gauge movements
are experienced, check the equipment
against a
known manifold
gauge
set.

Low Side
Normal
Gauge
Normal to low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
High Side Gauge
Normal
Normal
Low
Low
Low
Normal to high
Low
High
High
Fault Finding
High
Symptom
Discharge air initially cool
then warms up
As above
Discharge air slightly cool
Discharge air warm
Discharge air slightly cool or
frost build up at expansion
valve
Discharge air slightly cool
Compressor noisy
Discharge air warm and high
side pipes hot
Discharge air warm
Sweating or frost at evaporator
Diagnosis
Moisture in system
As above
HFC 134A charge low
HFC 134A charge very low
Expansion valve stuck closed
Restriction in High side of system
Defective reed valve
HFC 134A charge high or
condenser malfunction
Expansion valve stuck open
Caution:
The microprocessor is extremely sensitive
and should only
be tested
using
a
digital multimeter with no
less
than a 3.5
digit display and a
resistance
of no
less than
2 M
ohms.
The use
of any other form of multimeter will
damage the microprocessor

irreparably.
Note: Always allow time for the
servo
motors and blower motors to come to a
rest
before starting a
check.

The car should be in a workshop and the ambient
temperature
should
be
stable
e.g.
24''C
(75°F)
for at
least
30 minutes before
commencing the automatic
check.

At 24°C the
sensor
voltage is
2.972
V
± 2 mV.
The
rate of
change
is lOmVper
1
°C.

Unless
stated
otherwise,
all
checks
are carried out at the ECM
test plugs

Mode Switch: Off Ignition Switch: Aux 2
Signal Pin No.
Battery supply 1
Recirc input 9
Earth-ground 2
Earth-ground 6
Earth-ground 10
Earth-ground 38
Earth-ground 45
From mode switch 44
To mode switch 12
Voltage
n to 14v
0to2V
0 to 40mV
0 to 40mV
0 to 40mV
0 to 40mV
0 to 40mV
0 to 12V
10 to 13.3V
8-30 May 1996

'^T?
Air Conditioning
Compressors
Compressors
Compressor Clutch Control
The compressor
pu I
ley
is
driven continuously when
the engine is running. An electromagnetic clutch
allows the compressortobeengagedordisengaged.
The clutch is energised by battery supply voltage
when the clutch relay RF3 is closed by a signal from
the ECM (pin 21) via the engine management

system.

6^
o>o 1
4
Figure 1
Figure 2
Key to Fig. 2

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
Condenser
Clutch relay supply
Compressor clutch
HSLP switch
Protection diode
Earth-ground
Key to Fig. 1

1.
+ve battery supply

2.
Clutch relay
3. Compressor clutch

4.
Pin 20 ECM supply to clutch relay solenoid
5. Earth-Ground
6. Earth-Ground
Trinary Switch
High Side Low Pressure Switch
The high side low pressure switch (HSLP) is
connected in the earth-ground return lead of the
compressor clutch
coil.
The switch is a function of
the trinary switch and monitors the pressure on the
high side of the refrigeration system. If the pressure
drops below 25 psi (+ 5 psi) the contacts open to de-
energise the clutch coil and disengage the clutch.
Low pressure occurs when there is a fault in the

system,
and the HSLP switch contacts remain open
until the fault has been rectified.
The condenser (Fig, 3) consists of a refrigerant coil
mounted in a series of thin cooling fins to provide
maximum heat transfer in the minimum amount of

space.
It is mounted directly behind the car radiator
and receives the fu
11
flow of ram air induced by the
forward motion of the car and the suction of the
cool ing
fan.
Refrigerant enters the inlet at the top of
the condenser as a high pressure hot vapour. As the
vapour passes down through the condenser coils
cooled by ram air, a large quantity of heat is
transferred to the outside air and the refrigerant
changes to a high pressure warm liquid.
May 1996 8-35

^2?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Hose - Compressor to Evaporator/Air-Con Unit Renew
8.1.06.1 Hose-Compressor
to
Evaporator
Renewal
Procedure

1.
Open the bonnet and fit a wing cover.

2.
Depressurise the air conditioning systenn.
3. Remove the hose to evaporator valve clamping

plate,
disconnect the hose from the valve, remove
and discard the 'O' ring
seal.

4.
Fit a blanking plug to the evaporator valve. Release
the evaporator hose securing clips.
5. Remove the compressor outlet port retaining bolt.
6. Disconnect the hose from the compressor, discard
the hose complete with 'O' ring seals.
7. Connect the hose to the evaporator valve and
tighten clamp onto the hose.
8. Route the hose to the compressor, fit a new 'O' ring
seal and connect it to the compressor.
9. Position the outlet port retaining plate on the
compressor, fit and tighten the securing bolt.

10.
Refit the hose to the clips.

11.
Charge the air conditioning system.

12.
Remove the wing cover and close the bonnet.
8.2.01.1 Air Conditioning Unit Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Drain the engine coolant into a suitable container.
3. Depressurise the air conditioning system.

4.
Disconnect the high and low pressure hoses and
expansion valve from the air conditioning unit (see
expansion valve renewal).
5. Slacken the coolant hose to the heater matrix pipe
securing clips and disconnect the hoses from the
matrix. (This will require the removal of the air
intake hose for access.)
6. Remove the following items from inside the car:
front seats
underscuttle panels/knee bolsters
glove box assembly
facia trim (walnut trim)
radio and ashtray
centre console switch panel assembly
instrument panel and surround trim
steering wheel and column
facia assembly complete
hoses - distribution box to door vents
facia support frame
Details and drawings of the above operations can
be found in the electrical and trim sections.
Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the blower
motors, water valve and reservoir.
Un-clip the electrical harness from the air
conditioningunit, release theelectrical connections
and reposition the harness to allow removal of the
unit.
Displace and remove the footwell ventilator ducts
and hoses (Fig. 1-1).
May 1996 8-55

^?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
upper/Lower Servo Feedback Potentiometer Renew

8.2.03.1
Upper Servo Feedback
Potentiometer Renewal

8.2.04.1
Lower Servo Feedback
Potentiometer Renew

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
(On left hand cars) Remove the instrument paci<
and surround
trim.

2.
(On right hand cars) Remove the glove box
assembly.
3.
Remove the
securing screws
and
the potentiometer
assembly. Disconnect the electrical connector.

4.
Fitting a new potentiometer is the reverse of the
removal procedure.

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Un-clip and remove the left hand underscuttle

casing.

Figure 1.
3. Disconnect the electrical block connector
(Fig.
1).

4.
Remove the securing screw and the potentiometer
assembly.
5. Fitting a new potentiometer is the reversal of the
removal procedure.
May 1996 8-57

Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Upper/Lower Flap Motor Renew [EB^^^?
8.2.05.1 Upper Flap Motor Assembly
Renew
8.2.06.1 Lower Flap Motor Assembly
Renew

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Remove the electronic control module.
3. Disconnect the motor block connector.

4.
Remove the securing screws and motor assembly

(Figl).

Figure
5.
5. Fitting a new motor is the reverse of the removal
procedure.

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Remove the right hand side underscuttle casing.
3. Remove the electronic control unit.

4.
Disconnect the block connector.
5. Remove the screws securing the motor to the air
conditioning unit.
6. Displace the'P'clip.
7. Withdraw and remove the motor from the air
conditioning unit.
8. Fitting a new motor is the reversal of the removal
procedure.
8-58 May 1996

'nzm^=2?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Blower Motor Renewal
8.2.07.1 Ambient Temperature Sensor
Renew

?\gure
1.
The ambient temperature sensor is located in the
left hand side of the air plenum chamber under the
lower windshield panel (Fig. 1-1).
Procedure

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
(On left hand cars) Remove the steering wheel
(mark the position on the column shaft for re­
assembly), instrument pack and surround
trim.

2.
(On right hand cars) Removethegloveboxlidand
liner.
3. Disconnect the hose from the distribution box to
the side vent outlet. Reposition the hose for access.

4.
Disconnect the sensor block connector.
The sensor has locating clips and is a push fit into
the plenum chamber.
5. Lever the sensor free.
8.2.08.1 Blower Motor Driver Side
Renewal
8.2.09.1 Blower Motor Passenger Side
Renewal

1.
Move seat
fu 1
ly rearward.

2.
Disconnect vehicle battery ground
lead.

3. Remove the under scuttle/knee pad bolster.

4.
Remove the lower brace bar/facia assembly
underscuttle knee pad.
Driver Side Only
5. Removetheinstrumentpack, bonnetreieasehandle
mounting bracket and steering column..
6. Disconnect the air hose from the facia side air
outlet.
Passenger Side Only
7. Remove the glove box lid and liner.
Both
8. Remove the nuts securing the component panel

(Fig.
1-1).
Figure 1.
9. Ease the component panel clear for access to the
blower assembly mounting bolts.

10.
Disconnect the pliable trunking from the stub pipes
on either side of the air conditioning unit
(Fig.
1
-3).

11.
Disconnect the blower motor electrical harness at
the block connector.
May 1996 8-59

o --^ ^^?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Blower Motor High Speed Relay Renewal
6.
7.
8.
Place the flap box assembly to the fan housing and
reconnect the electrical connections.
Fit and tighten the screws securing the flap box to
the housing.
Raise the re-circulation flap, fit and tighten the
remaining screw.
Refit the blower motor assembly.
Reconnect the battery earth-ground
lead.

8.2.11.1
Blower Motor
High Speed
Relay
Renewal

1.
Remove the blower motor assembly complete.
Figure 7.

2.
Open the flap for access.
3. Using a suitable tool remove the relay from the
blower assembly (Fig.
1
-1).

4.
Fit a
new relay
and
refit the blower motor assembly.
May 1996 8-61

Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Water Temperature Switch/Heater Matrix Renew •=2?
8.2.12.1 Water Temperature Switch
Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Un-clip and remove the left hand underscuttle

casing.

Figure.
3. Note and disconnect the feed wires from the switch

(Fig.
1-1).

4.
Displace and remove the switch from the water

pipe.

5. Fitting a new switch is the reversal of the removal
procedure.
8.2.13.1 Heater Matrix Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Remove the left hand underscuttle panel.
3. (On right hand cars) Remove the glove box
assembly.
3. (On left hand cars) Remove the instrument pack
and surround
trim,
steering column and mounting
bracket.

4.
Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
5. Remove the matrix cover panel securing screws.
6. Removethe rear
panel,
displacethefront panel and
foam seal for access.
7. Place rag in position.
8. Remove screws securing the feed pipe and
disconnect the pipe from the matrix.
9. Remove and discard the gasket.

10.
Remove the screws securing the feed pipe and
disconnect the pipe from the matrix.

11.
Remove and discard the gasket.

12.
Disconnectthewatertemperatureswitchfeedwires.

13.
Remove the foam pad from the pipes.

14.
Remove the front panel from the unit.

15.
Undo the heater hose matrix pipe hose clips and
disconnect the hoses from the pipes.

16.
Reposition the pipes from the matrix.

1
7. Remove the matrix from the air conditioning unit.

18.
Fitting a new matrix is the reversal of the removal
procedure.

19.
Ensure that new gaskets are fitted.
8-62 May 1996