Somebodys went a wee bit mad with the badges...

[Regdorpten]

So what are 16v non-turbo automatic XM's like? Underpowered? I've only had turbos.

[Regdorpten]

This from the seller when I asked him about air con:

"not messing you about but it doesnt have controls in car but has unit under the bonnet"

So you have to open the bonnet to put the air con on?? Come on, it must have a button with a snowflake on somewhere, no? Or do retrofits just use the exisitng temprature control to cut the aircon in and out?

[Dean]

no retro fits have the dash button, if the engine has been swapped though it may explain it

D

[Dieselman]

no retro fits have the dash button,
D

is that:
"no retro fits have the dash button"
or:
"no, retro fits have the dash button"

It reverses the context. Normally after-market A/c will have a cut switch, but it could be that it has been installed to only run when the temperature is set to cold.

[Dean]

Sorry, i should have paid attention at school The dealer retrofits have a dash button with the snowflake on from what ive seen. tbh i cant see anyone fitting A/C and not wiring in a simple switch to operate it, the two advantages of A/C is cold air in the summer and fast demist in the winter, if it was thermostaticaly controlled how would you turn it on to demist?

D

[Dieselman]

The first XM I ever drove had rotary dials and factory aircon with the cut switch being in the bank to the right of the steering wheel.. I did 250 miles on a demo and wasn't sure about it...one thing was the aircon clutch caused a misfire feeling when pulling away sometimes.

[Dean]

Was this by any chance a 2.0i engined example, pre 92 reg?

[minijet]

.
I'm following this with interest, as I've thought about fitting aircon in my SX.
It wasn't even an extra cost option on SX's (up to 1995 at least) they are very basic, there were very few options.
So I assume there's no provision made for it, not even the necessary wiring. So everything would have to be fitted from scratch.
With regard to the dealer retrofits, I assume they had to remove the complete facia to fit the evaporator.....?
Quite a job A lot more dificult than doing it during assembly in the factory.

Paul

.

[Dean]

Xmexc posted about retro fit A/C a while ago in detail, i cant for the life of me find it but it is about....somewhere

D

[robert_e_smart]

I'd like to see John's write up as well. The estate I am breaking has a/c. The engine bay side of things looks easy, its getting the evaporator into the heater box that will be the fun bit!