Possible aircon problem?

DJW svx · #1 11-24-2009, 12:29 AM

Yesterday I used the SVX as usual and heard a beeping sound, it seems that the round temperature unit on the dash keeps counting itself down to 18 from where I have set it. I raised it to 23 and it just returned itself to 18 there also seems to be a problem with the outside temperature reading in so far as it is also playing up. Have no idea where to start so any help would be great.

scoobymal · #2 11-24-2009, 01:28 AM

My mate peter (black alcyone jdm) had this problem on his,he tried but failed to get this fixed,he could get a temp fix by jamming a small piece of card/paper against the round temp display.

M30SVX · #3 11-24-2009, 07:38 AM

Hi - I had this problem on a recently purchased SVX.
The symptons you described are exactly typical of a failure of the Aircon control unit, which comprises the aircon buttons/controls, including the round temp setter, which you can see on your dash just above the radio.
It comes out fairly easily as a unit, after removing the instrument panel.

New ones are apparently unavailable from Subaru.

There is a company:-

http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx

which offers a repair service for about £100 + vat if the unit is repairable. They will check it out for you and either repair it or send it back to you.

They were unable to repair mine because it had already been mucked about with, so they returned it.

Luckily I found one at a breakers for £40 + carriage which miraculously worked!!

DJW svx · #4 11-24-2009, 10:12 AM

Thanks for that I'll make sure I don't try any DIY work on it then.

svxistentialist · #5 11-25-2009, 06:20 PM

This is the symptom of a bad aircon unit all right. I do remember being in one where the temp counted up to 32, but most count down to 18.

I took one apart lately and noticed some circuit board damage from a leaky capacitor. I had it repaired by a friend who owns a circuit board company. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to re-install it and see if the repair worked.

If I can find time this weekend I'll try fitting it to the car and see if the repair works. If by any strange chance it does work I have kept photographic record of the damage and the repair. It would be nice if we could defeat this fault. It's a fault that only afflicts the Euro-Oz-JDM controller, it does not afflict the US type with buttons in the centre.

Joe

stevek · #6 11-25-2009, 09:30 PM

My JDM car has intermittent scrolling on this temp scale. I don't use the car daily and what seems to help is keeping the battery well charged. It has an alarm fitted (sadly - what a pain) which does the battery no favours, so rightly or wrongly I use an ancient charger set on 1 amp for a day every week or 3. The charger is so old I had to put a square pin plug on it!
Incidentally my SVX has the coldest aircon I have ever experienced. It has been recharged following all the mech work done so I assume this is why.