Hot Mokka: AC Compressor Woes

I had a similar issue with my 2015 Vauxhall Astra last summer. The AC suddenly started blowing warm air, especially when idling. Thought it was the compressor at first, but turned out the magnetic clutch on the compressor wasn't engaging properly. When I took it to the garage, they diagnosed a faulty AC relay and a slow refrigerant leak around one of the seals. Wasn't a super complicated fix, but definitely needed a professional with proper diagnostic equipment. Got it sorted at an independent Vauxhall specialist who actually showed me the failed component. They had to evacuate the system, fix the leak, and recharge with fresh refrigerant. If you're hearing any unusual noises when the AC is running, or if the compressor isn't engaging at all, it could be similar to what I experienced. Best to get it checked soon before it potentially causes more issues with the AC system.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with now. I'm hearing those same noises and the compressor behavior seems similar. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole fix? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other AC issues pop up?

Hey again! Yes, absolutely, glad I could help! After my visit to the mechanic, the AC issue was completely resolved. The switching off of the compressor doesn't happen anymore, and it's been working perfectly fine since then. The total bill came to 625€, which covered diagnosing the faulty component, fixing the leak, and recharging the system with new refrigerant. While it wasn't cheap, it was definitely worth it to have properly working AC again, especially during these warmer months! Since the repair (it's been about 8 months now), everything's been running super smoothly, no more weird noises, no more warm air, and the compressor engages perfectly every time. The mechanic did a really thorough job, and I haven't had to worry about any AC problems since. Just make sure wherever you take it, they have proper diagnostic equipment for Vauxhall systems. It makes a huge difference in getting an accurate diagnosis and fix!

Thanks so much for all the details! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were right about finding someone with proper diagnostic equipment, it made all the difference! Took it to a Vauxhall specialist who diagnosed pretty much the same issue you had. The leak was a bit worse in my case, and the relay was completely shot. Total bill came to about 700€, which stung a bit but honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed. They were super professional, showed me all the faulty parts and explained everything clearly. The AC is now blowing ice-cold air again, and those weird noises are completely gone. Such a relief after sweating it out for the past few weeks! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it gave me the confidence to get it sorted before it turned into a bigger problem. Definitely keeping this mechanic's number for future reference!