Hi guys

we have a 2007 FR2 HSE - with air con issues, done a search on the forum, but most lead to the drain pipe by centre console. I have removed the panel and checked the pipe and seems clear and also water is dripping on the floor under the car (on moist/damp days - not this week with how warm & dry its been in the UK!)



Air Con System - has started to omit a burnt smell, on 2 occasions now it has been incredibly strong with mist/smoke coming out of the vents. (both these occasions were on long commutes (approx. 1 hr into the journey)

the aircon system seems to be working fine, nice and cold. the burnt smell is now constant (but quite light, and seems to come from the area under neigh the centre console.


not sure what to do, or what could be the cause?? any ideas?


Thanks


Dave

Is the smell there if you don't use the air con for a similar length of time?

half the problem is, I'm not very clued up on air systems

found this online - exploded diagram of air con unit.

think it could be a blocked filter or something, causing the motor to over heat and burn?

First thing I would do is take it to a Land Rover dealer and get them to confirm that car has a PTC heater fitted and if it falls into the vin range of a technical bulletin which was released regarding PTC shorting out from moisture from evaporator and that your car had the correctional work done.
Not that I'm a fan of LR dealers but in this case your symptom of burnt smell falls into the documented failure. MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

The only filter I know of is the pollen filter but that is after the fan unit rather than before. If you turn on your air con then press the button to the right of the main dial so that ECON is lit you can then turn the central dial to manually adjust the fan speed. By doing this you should be able to hear an increase in speed and feel how much air is being pushed through the vents. Turn the dial slowly bit by bit so each dot lights up in turn rather than just turn it all the way round in one go

Last edited by dennij on 2nd Jun 2017 12:33 pm. Edited 1 time in total

also, I can feel a constant blast of very hot air coming from in-between these 2 metal pipes, should that be the case?

Click image to enlarge

Stuartc wrote:

First thing I would do is take it to a Land Rover dealer and get them to confirm that car has a PTC heater fitted and if it falls into the vin range of a technical bulletin which was released regarding PTC shorting out from moisture from evaporator and that your car had the correctional work done.
Not that I'm a fan of LR dealers but in this case your symptom of burnt smell falls into the documented failure.

dennij wrote:

The only filter I know of is the pollen filter but that is after the fan unit rather than before. If you turn on your air con then press the button to the right of the main dial so that ECON is lit you can then turn the central dial to manually adjust the fan speed. By doing this you should be able to hear an increase in speed and feel how much air is being pushed through the vents. Turn the dial slowly bit by bit so each dot lights up in turn rather than just turn it all the way round in one go

cawood wrote:

Stuartc wrote:

First thing I would do is take it to a Land Rover dealer and get them to confirm that car has a PTC heater fitted and if it falls into the vin range of a technical bulletin which was released regarding PTC shorting out from moisture from evaporator and that your car had the correctional work done.
Not that I'm a fan of LR dealers but in this case your symptom of burnt smell falls into the documented failure.

Thanks for the reply & advice Stuart!

just had a quick Google and come up with the following


2007-08 Land Rover Freelander 2 Diesel: fire hazard

In October 2008, December 2008 and October 2015, recalls were issued for Land Rover Freelander 2 vehicles that had diesel engines and were manufactured from 1 February 2007 to 2 June 2008. In these vehicles, the controller circuit for the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Heater could short circuit. While this would normally result in a flat battery, it could also cause non-starting. Furthermore, the short circuit could cause a burning smell from hot and/or melted components which, in extreme circumstances, could lead to a fire. These symptoms could occur when the vehicle was in use or parked and unattended. For the recalled vehicles, the PTC was initially to be disabled and, subsequently, replaced with an updated version. The recalled Freelander 2 vehicles had VINs in the range:

•SALFA27B47H000100 to SALFA24C48H111695 (R/2008/125 and R/2008/187);
•SALFA24CX8H111698 to SALFA28B58H113411 (R/2015/186).


my VIN does fall within these, so I will ring my local LR dealer now and get them to check Recall history on mine

That would be prudent  MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

The idea of trying it in ECON mode is to eliminate the issue being just with the air con (ECON mode is air con off) If the fan increases in speed and the air through the vents increases too then it shows there are no obstructions to the fan itself.

As Stuart has mentioned, a call to LR to check if your vehicle was fitted with the PTC system would clarify one aspect and hopefully put your mind at rest regarding that particular recall

Thanks both

rang LR, waiting on a call back as their recall system is down at the moment!

Dennji - will go check on ECON shortly, I will also drive it all way home with ECON enabled, and see if the burnt smell comes back with only that on

Thanks

guys...... my PTC recall has never been done!!


uh oh

good job I came on here and spoke with you guys.

booked in with LR next Friday for recall to be actioned!


what should I do in the mean time, is it safe to just turn off the heating system, or do I need to pull a fuse?


Thanks

For safety's sake I would be inclined to pull the fuse for now of unplug the unit

fuse and unplug the unit?

is this a fuse on the main fuse board?

sorry for questions