[robains]

I recall reading somewhere about an AC problem where the interior vent fan controller gets covered with condensation when the A/C is on and stops working correctly. I can't seem to find the thread.

I have what I believe is the same problem. After about 20-30 minutes of running the AC, the air flow coming from the vents starts to deminish. Turning the fan speed up 2 and 3 settings has NO impact on flow (remains the same). So after about 30 minutes of running my AC the flow is more a trickle of air (not effective at all).

I thought I read there is a fix for this from Lotus, but just can't remember.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks, Rob.

 

[SirLotus]

Rob,
The Evaporator Coil is freezing over stopping the air flow. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/poll-does-your-ac-work-well-12860/index13.html Turning off the A/C for a while allows the ice to melt and the A/C works again, for a while. A stop gap solution is to play around with the Thermocouple sensor at the Evaporator. A solution is to replace the Thermocouple with an upgraded Electronic sensor.
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/improved-c-heating-system-71031/
Cheers,
Michael

 

[robains]

Wow, thanks for the link, what a f'in nightmare -- after reading your possible improvements I think I'm just gonna remove the AC system completely.

I "think" my build date was April 07 (purchased in Jul 07) so I should have the "upgraded" Electronic Thermostat.

Does anyone know if I can just run a shorter belt with the AC compressor removed or do I need to have idler pully in it's place?

Rob.

 

[Stale_Hotdog]

I have an 08 with the same issue. The dealer that I brought it to said that TADTS . They didn't even bother to look at it... lame.

 

[cory1000]

I always found that my AC worked best just leaving it on fan speed 1, every time I used 2 or 3 it would freeze up and not work after being on 20-30 minutes... It does take a little longer to cool it initially, but always stayed ice cold. This is true for both my Elise and Exige S

 

[robains]

Thanks folks, pretty sure I'm just gonna pull the dead weight. Does seem strange that AC removal is a dealer option that costs -- why doesn't Lotus just have a package that truely has no AC? Am I missing something? Especially if the AC doesn't really work very well.

I've also noticed that turning OFF the AC doesn't actually turn it OFF once the evap coil has frozen over -- it gets stuck in a infinite cycle -- the only thing that works is to shut the car down for 15-30 mins and wait for the unit to thaw out -- explains the puddle of water it creates at the front after use (assume that is where the Evap coil is).

So what is everyone using for AC less cars? shorter belt? Idle pully in place of compressor unit?

Thanks, Rob.

 

[SirLotus]

Since I changed to the Electronic thermostat I get no more freezing up.
Cheers,
Michael

 

[Bane]

Did you try just pushing the AC button and leaving the fan running or did you turn everything off?

If I just disengage the compressor and leave the fan on mine thaws out in under a minute. Then I hit the button again and it's cold for a little while longer before it freezes up again

 

[JoshS]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/easy-c-improvement-mod-59938/

Here's a link to Michael's thread specifically about the intake vent improvement. His link above has other options, but I think this is the easiest first choice and may significantly help you.

 

[SirLotus]

Here are the upgraded thermostat instructions.
Cheers,
Michael

 

[TimMullen]

I've also noticed that turning OFF the AC doesn't actually turn it OFF once the evap coil has frozen over -- it gets stuck in a infinite cycle --

Actually, turning the AC off should turn it off. But once the radiator fans start running they will continue to run until you shut down and restart the car - it common and they all seem to work that way. But the compressor does turn off.

As for removing the AC, I wouldn't. At the very least, if you get caught out is a heavy rainstorm in a humid environment, some tiimes the only way to defog the windshield is with the defroster on along with the AC. I'd keep it if only for that use...

 

[robains]

Tim,

Great info, thanks. Probably will still remove AC, the Lotus doesn't see anything other than sunshine - ever.

Rob.