Forum Discussion

1252me's avatar
1252me
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015

Dash AC

I have a 2000 Discovery. My AC switch won't light up and the compressor doesn't come on. It happened on a recent trip. I checked under the dash and replaced the relay but that disn't solve the problem. Is there another fuse that I am missing?
  • Ford's AC compressors are disabled below a certain temp (generally 40 degrees) so if you try compressor and it is below that temp...it may not work....
  • RLS7201 wrote:
    tropical36 wrote:
    1252me wrote:
    I have a 2000 Discovery. My AC switch won't light up and the compressor doesn't come on. It happened on a recent trip. I checked under the dash and replaced the relay but that doesn't solve the problem. Is there another fuse that I am missing?

    Not what you want to hear, but the best thing you can do with a dash AC is to forget it's there, short of removing it altogether and another worthless expenditure by the manufactures, when the money could have been put to better use. On the other hand, they probably know this, but are forced to take it, along with the chassis.
    Trying to keep it up, will be nothing but a constant and expensive headache in most cases and just wish that I didn't have a big condenser covering up my radiator and even though 1/3 of it is being used to cool my engine oil.


    Unfortunately you compare you unfavorable experiences to a very capable Denso HVAC system used by Fleetwood.
    Believe it or not, some RV manufactures get it right.

    Richard
    95 Bounder

    Our coach before this one, was a Fleetwood and the whole condenser had been converted to a tranny oil cooler, which I thought was a good move, cuz I've never seen one that would cool the whole house anyway. Many will use almost as much fuel, as the gen set itself, which is a real waste, when you could be using the roof air, powering the fridge and the hot water tank.
    If you have not had to do expensive repairs to yours since 1995, I'd say you were in a rare category.
    Meanwhile, I'm betting that the OP, like the norm, will be fixing it again soon and once he gets it going again this time. I'm guess a refrigerant leak with his.
    Biggest problem, I think, is that they don't get used enough and certainly not on an everyday basis. For example, my 2003 F150 has never been touched thus far. My old Jeep, was still going after 19yrs, with some minor work, so....
  • I expect the last 'take it out' advice is more sour apples than practical advice. The last two pushers we had never gave trouble. The first, a used Coachmen, never worked right. The last two, a 2000 Itasca Horizon and a 2008 driver area on a hot day across Texas or Arizona, but on an average day they did fine.
  • tropical36 wrote:
    1252me wrote:
    I have a 2000 Discovery. My AC switch won't light up and the compressor doesn't come on. It happened on a recent trip. I checked under the dash and replaced the relay but that doesn't solve the problem. Is there another fuse that I am missing?

    Not what you want to hear, but the best thing you can do with a dash AC is to forget it's there, short of removing it altogether and another worthless expenditure by the manufactures, when the money could have been put to better use. On the other hand, they probably know this, but are forced to take it, along with the chassis.
    Trying to keep it up, will be nothing but a constant and expensive headache in most cases and just wish that I didn't have a big condenser covering up my radiator and even though 1/3 of it is being used to cool my engine oil.


    Unfortunately you compare you unfavorable experiences to a very capable Denso HVAC system used by Fleetwood.
    Believe it or not, some RV manufactures get it right.

    Richard
    95 Bounder
  • 1252me wrote:
    I have a 2000 Discovery. My AC switch won't light up and the compressor doesn't come on. It happened on a recent trip. I checked under the dash and replaced the relay but that doesn't solve the problem. Is there another fuse that I am missing?

    Not what you want to hear, but the best thing you can do with a dash AC is to forget it's there, short of removing it altogether and another worthless expenditure by the manufactures, when the money could have been put to better use. On the other hand, they probably know this, but are forced to take it, along with the chassis.
    Trying to keep it up, will be nothing but a constant and expensive headache in most cases and just wish that I didn't have a big condenser covering up my radiator and even though 1/3 of it is being used to cool my engine oil.
  • Since the compressor is very difficult to get to and the manual doesn't show fuse locations, I was hoping someone with a 2000 or near that age Discovery, would know where there might be another fuse . I located the relay under the dash and replaced it.
  • I'd do the obvious first and check all fuses. How is the lower functioning? Also check for 12v at the compressor.
  • Not sure if the freon is adequate or not. It was working fine when I turned off the compressor going up a long grade. when I turned it back on the light didn't come on and it didn't put out cold air.
  • Is the refrigerant charged to an adequate pressure?

    Low charge often precludes the compressor from running ( usually there's a low pressure switch in the system)