The Mégane II Owners' Club

Hi All. I have a Megane II 1.5 dci 2007 reg. When I press the Air Con button on dashboard, the little orange light comes on but it doesn't seem to do anything. I can't feel/hear the compressor start by watching the engine revs and the air is not cold. I have only had the car two months and this is the first time I've tried to use AC. Could it be that the system needs recharging? Is there a safety thing which means that the compressor won't kick in if the system is empty? Is there a fuse or relay to check? I've checked that the wiring is attached to the compressor in the engine compartment and it is. Any help appreciated. Cheers.

Moved to problems section where you're likely to get more responses.

I'm afraid I can't help too much but I have the exact same issue. 1.5 DCI 2005 Megane, pressing the AC lights it up but doesn't do anything else. Im pretty sure its a compressor problem but someone with better knowledge may be more clued up! I had mine re-gassed at Kwik-Fit as it was £50 but they had a 'no fix no fee' offer. After re-gassing the system and checking for leaks (there were none) it didn't make a difference so I didn't pay a penny. Aparrently when the AC kicks in, the engine revs should dip slightly on tickover, but I get nothing. Could just as easily be an electrical issue but never got to the bottom of it.

Could be several things ranging from cheap fix (eg. blown fuse) to re-gas, or to big bucks (compressor / evaporator failure). Best bet is to pop round to Kwik-Fit as Peter said, where it's usually likely to need a re-gas. Plus they check out the system for leaks, pressure test etc. and it's 'no fix, no fee' so the most you'll part with is 50 squid, which is worth it in my book .

I've had several cars with a similar problem and a re-gas usually does the trick.

Tip: Even during the winter months when you "don't need cold air", put the A/C on for at least 30 min per week while you're driving around. You don't have to turn the temperature down, keep it at warm or wherever. This will keep the gas stirred up and the system lubricated and ensures the seals maintain integrity. And it eliminates the windscreen and windows from misting up.

I had this problem, I had it refilled. The guy said it could just be a fuse which is difficult to get to. I checked it but its ok. I figure it could be the pressure switch which is at the front of the car behind the bumper area. Worth replacing because beyond that things start to get too expensive.

My experience may help, Megane II 1.5 dCi 08 plate. Last year I realised I was getting no cold air through the vents, the car isn't used much as I now have a company car and so I had no idea when the problem started. So I took it to Kwik-Fit for a re-gas, it went through the cycle and was refilled but it still wasn't work (they said it was at 75% before they started). They also said the compressor clutch wasn't engaging, but had no idea why.

I didn't do any more until about 3 months ago, when the car went to the dealers for a service, I asked them to take a look. They said the pressure sensor and compressor needed changing, which would be £450 +VAT just for parts. I declined and bought a pressure sensor off eBay for less than £20. I fitted it but I still wasn't getting cold air, so I called in a mobile AC specialist. He proved that the pressure sensor was working (showed me the compressor clutch was engaging) and that the old one was faulty. He also saw that the compressor was leaking and the condenser was also leaking. He temporarily re-gassed the system and it now blew cold air, however due to the known leak issue he had to remove the gas again.

He quoted me £600 (which included all parts, labour and VAT) to replace the compressor, condenser and dryer and re-gas the system. He completed the job yesterday and it is now all working again.

So basically on a Megane of that age, it's quite likely a major overhaul will be needed.

I recently had my air con sorted.
Took it to a friends garage, who gave me some useful info. He connected the recharging machine, which apparently is a pain because they don't have a low pressure connector on these systems. It makes it easier to get the old gas out, but isn't an issue, it just takes longer sucking it out of the high pressure connection. Once cleaned out, it tests the system by creating a vacuum in the AC system, and waiting ten minutes. If the system has a leak, the vacuum decreases, and by law, shouldn't be recharged as the refrigerant is harmful to the environment. Mine passed, so onto the next stage, which is pumping a tiny amount of oil into the system, then the refrigerant. It worked briefly, then stopped. My mate isn't too au fait with AC systems, so I took it to a specialist. He drained it again, and checked it, but still no cold air. He drained it again, and told me he suspected the pressure switch was faulty. I left it with him, and he replaced it, gassed it up, and voila! Nice and cold
The switch wasn't very expensive. I think he uses pattern parts, which are way cheaper than Renault originals. I forget how much the switch was, but he only charged me £100.
There are plenty available on Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xmegane+ac+pressure+switch.TRS0&_nkw=megane+ac+pressure+switch&_sacat=0:

If you wanted to change it yourself, the system would need to be emptied, as removing it under pressure is not only illegal, but may well be dangerous?
Maybe have a word with a local AC specialist, and ask him how much to do the job if you remove all the belly pans etc, so he can get at it? I hate presuming about how easy a professionals job is, but it appears to be a simple job, especially with the belly pan/rain guards removed?
If the system isn't charged, it should be an easy job, it appears to be a simple pressure sensor with a connector on one end, and a thread on the other. Removing the electrical connector, and get a spanner on the other end should take seconds?
By the way, you could check if the system is charged, by gently depressing the valve in the high pressure connector on the metal pipe at the top left of the engine. Don't hold the valve down for too long, as all the gas would escape.
This would just be a quick way of testing it of course
If the system was empty, and you replaced the pressure sensor, next stop is kwikfit to get it re-gassed. If it still isn't working, then at least you don't pay for it, and know that it is something more serious like the compressor.

Edit to add:
It appears that a replacement compressor isn't that steep either. I suppose it depends on how confident/competent you are at having a go yourself?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... r&_sacat=0

Further edit:
Condensers aren't that expensive either
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... r&_sacat=0