Let's get some perspective: Is your Grenadier AC working as it should?

[G-Man]

Who else's AC is batsh1t crazy and randomly blows hot air one day and cold the next on the exact same setting? I don't think the AC system got the attention it deserved during the 1.2 million miles of road testing, that's for sure. I love my new truck but it's the one thing that drives me nuts on pretty much a daily basis as I fiddle away at the controls and I'm surprised Ineos haven't found a fix for it yet. I gather it's down to sticky solenoid valves or such like and is probably an expensive warranty concern for them.

It would be useful to set up a poll on this forum and get an idea of what percentage and numbers of owners here have flaky AC. This forum must represent a decent amount of the Grenadier owner population, perhaps it would help sharpen Ineos' perspective on the issue if it popped up on every Google search relating to Grenadier AC issues. I don't have the ability to raise a forum poll but maybe @Stu_Barnes would consider it a worthy exercise

 

[Tom109]

It’s super frustrating because I think the HVAC is erroring-out in flame mode, but is just the whacky sensor(s). I will only have access to cooling at the extreme end of the dial, anything less produces heat. Driving for a while usually gives a few more AC clicks, but shouldn’t this be based on driver demand not vehicle limitations?

Particularly on the East Coast, there are time you don’t open your windows due to pollen.

 

[BigJMaas]

Mine works fine (5/24 build date). I have never had any of the issues some have complained about. I put it in auto... set the temp and don't touch it.

 

[JJBTEXAS]

For AC, I mainly just set mine to max low and use the fan speed to modulate temperature. It seems to come with the extra benefits of stopping the start/stop from triggering. This may not work in cooler climates though.

 

[terdrocket]

For AC, I mainly just set mine to max low and use the fan speed to modulate temperature. It seems to come with the extra benefits of stopping the start/stop from triggering. This may not work in cooler climates though.

Same here. I never have start/stop activate, unless it is winter and my a/c is off.

 

[LabRat]

Finally got the A/C bug where the system wouldn't turn off and blowing flaming hot air. Was on a road trip and the thought of a few days of this was not pleasant, but this forum is a valuable resource. Turn if off, lock the doors, let it sit for 5-10 minutes (I guess 5 minutes, 30 seconds is the key) and all back to normal. I normally run in auto and haven't had a problem since I purchased in February.

 

[wompser]

Just to follow up on this: I tentatively think I've fixed it. For me, the solution was:

1. check coolant levels. both of my reservoirs were a little low, so I filled them to the max fill line. This did not (on it's own) fix the problem.
2. Do the "service mode" trick. This is described elsewhere on the forums, though I'm having trouble finding a link. Basically it was open the bonnet, depress both the gas and brake for 10 seconds, then start the ignition. At this point "service mode" shows up on the computer screen, though it took a number of tries. Once I got service mode running, I let the car sit for 15 minutes or so, and eventually got a message like "service mode complete"

After BOTH of those processes, my AC has been working 100% of the time for a few weeks, both on auto mode and on manual mode. Hopefully this helps everyone else who's having the issue!

 

[Kevin Mokracek]

Just to follow up on this: I tentatively think I've fixed it. For me, the solution was:

1. check coolant levels. both of my reservoirs were a little low, so I filled them to the max fill line. This did not (on it's own) fix the problem.
2. Do the "service mode" trick. This is described elsewhere on the forums, though I'm having trouble finding a link. Basically it was open the bonnet, depress both the gas and brake for 10 seconds, then start the ignition. At this point "service mode" shows up on the computer screen, though it took a number of tries. Once I got service mode running, I let the car sit for 15 minutes or so, and eventually got a message like "service mode complete"

After BOTH of those processes, my AC has been working 100% of the time for a few weeks, both on auto mode and on manual mode. Hopefully this helps everyone else who's having the issue!

I have a start up sequence that seems to work until it doesn't. I'm not sure what the final fix is or if Ineos even has one. I took mine in to Ineos with this complaint and they sad it was a leak in the AC system and needed a hose replaced and also they bled the system. It worked fine for a few days then the same issue came back again. Took it back to the dealer and they couldn't replicate it so there was "no problem to fix". I think it has something to do with vent baffles that get a wrong code sent to the computer at start up. If I am meticulous about my start up sequence I can go months without a problem but it seems if I forget one step it goes bad again.

Like I said, the AC is great until it isn't.

 

[Baron von Teuchter]

Just as an observation. I live in the North of Scotland, around 58°N and it’s pretty rare that it gets “hot”. Yesterday it was 30C (86F) and humid as hell. Grenadier was ice cold inside. Actually too cold.

I’m calling that a win. It’s very good at very cold and it’s very good at very hot. Settling on a perfect temperature anywhere in between can be a bit hit and miss but it’s a million times better than an old Defender.

 

[CRH]

Just as an observation. I live in the North of Scotland, around 58°N and it’s pretty rare that it gets “hot”. Yesterday it was 30C (86F) and humid as hell. Grenadier was ice cold inside. Actually too cold.

I’m calling that a win. It’s very good at very cold and it’s very good at very hot. Settling on a perfect temperature anywhere in between can be a bit hit and miss but it’s a million times better than an old Defender.

Mine was ok for awhile after a number of times bleeding the system. It had now gone back to it's old ways of only hot or cold, in-between settings.can be cold upfront and hot in the rear but generally if not on full heat it's cold, just not AC cold until on max cold.
I have topped up both reservoirs as required but noticed they are both leaking on the joints/seams. Pointed out to dealer and one has been changed but the other is on back order. Hopefully get it fixed one day and have a heating system that sort of works

 

[Skydance]

Mine was ok for awhile after a number of times bleeding the system. It had now gone back to it's old ways of only hot or cold, in-between settings.can be cold upfront and hot in the rear but generally if not on full heat it's cold, just not AC cold until on max cold.
I have topped up both reservoirs as required but noticed they are both leaking on the joints/seams. Pointed out to dealer and one has been changed but the other is on back order. Hopefully get it fixed one day and have a heating system that sort of works

After months of working correctly. Done everything to it, dismantled the dash, insulated some of the pipes, resealed the foot vents. Again, it sometimes gets stuck on hot. When it’s stuck on hot, the pipe underneath the glove box is absolutely roasting.

Sometimes it drips on the mats especially in the recent humid weather and I start the car every-time, waiting for dash lights to go out. I now think it’s a software issue and the actuators which diverts hot and cold.

I never known any other car which can get so hot or so cold very quickly.

 

[CRH]

After months of working correctly. Done everything to it, dismantled the dash, insulated some of the pipes, resealed the foot vents. Again, it sometimes gets stuck on hot. When it’s stuck on hot, the pipe underneath the glove box is absolutely roasting.

Sometimes it drips on the mats especially in the recent humid weather and I start the car every-time, waiting for dash lights to go out. I now think it’s a software issue and the actuators which diverts hot and cold.

I never known any other car which can get so hot or so cold very quickly.

Mine is an early model, is yours?
Have you noticed that the dials on newer versions click more decisively on each segment? I'm beginning to wonder if it's a problem with the controls?

 

[Skydance]

Mine is an early model, is yours?
Have you noticed that the dials on newer versions click more decisively on each segment? I'm beginning to wonder if it's a problem with the controls?

May 2023. The feel of the dials I can say are loose, tactile feedback isn’t a strong point. Not noticed on newer models but I hear newer models also have this issue.

Maybe, but personally I think it’s the software. I try to leave it on auto 23 degrees and not touch it. One day, it could be good and one day not, depending on the weather or whether it’s on this period.