Dash Clock Problem (XF) & 1985 Air Con Re-gas

Hey everyone. I've picked up a 1985 XF Falcon Sedan.

One minor but annoying problem I've noticed is with the dash clock, the digital one next to the speedo. In all but one XF I've seen, the clock either doesn't work at all, or flashes on and off irregularly while driving, resetting the clock each time. While it is on it can be adjusted, but of course it goes off again soon after.

How do I fix this? Obviously it's a wiring problem, can I bridge out the clock? It would be very handy if it worked - and it must be poorly designed, I've seen several XFs with the same prob. What's the cause, and how do I fix it.

Also, my air conditioning is out of gas. The thing operates, but blows out room temp air. Seeing as it is a 1985 model, am I correct in assuming that it's the old, non-environmentally friendly gas, that I can't buy anywhere? Or can I? Is my air con useless, as it's out of date and can't be regassed (if I can it would cost much, much more than today's cars?)

Thanks for your help. :

Brett Enright.

[Phil]

Dunno about your clock, but the air con, you may want to get a workshop just to check it out. It may have a hole in the system, lost the gas or even something simple like a blown fuse or wire disconected from the compressor. Pretty hard to diagnose on the net. Check fuses and wiring first then maybe get someone to check it out.

Thanks for your reply Phil.

The Air Con works (outside air temp only) - the fuse isn't blown, the relay works, when you turn it on the (I don't know what it's called) 'pump' engages and the engine labours, BUT it doesn't blow out cool air.

I'll have to ring a workshop. It's not a hassle, having the windows down is good enough air conditioning for me. To fix the clock I guess I'll have to take off the dash and wire the clock directly to the battery - it uses so little power.

Brett.

[Kryton]

ok lets see. your clock is buggered so i guess you have a Ghia or a fairlane.......put black tape over the display and learn to live with it. ive changed the clock in mine twice with different units and it still blinks off and its still 1 o'clock.
sorry but cant help there.

aircon. my 86 panelvan had the same problem. took it to the aircon place and the guy regassed it, cost $110. the system was fine and didnt have leaks and also took the new gas they use. go down and get them to look at it.
IF you use the aircon when the weather is hot and the car starts to overheat, you need to change the headgasket. you will probably also notice your radiator water is disappearing but isnt leaking. this is the head gasket.
hope this helps some.

Ah - No, I just have a plain Ford Falcon XF. And the wiring is dodgy, not the clock, so I'll find a way of wiring it directly to the battery. Don't worry about it.

Air Conditioning gas, soon after the XF was made, was changed to a more environmentally friendly gas, that doesn't go in my system. I was simply wondering if I can buy this 'old' gas anywhere. If I can't, I'll rip the Air Con unit off the car coz I don't really care if it works or not.

Brett.

[Kryton]

you cant buy the old gas anywhere. what im saying is that i have the old system in my car and the new gas was used in it with no problems physically or legally. go see your aircon specialist.

if the clock is in your cluster then maybe pull it out and check the plugs are in properly or as you suggested wire it to the battery if you can. i dont have a problem with the clock in the van, just the fairlane.

[NIGHTHAWK]

You can still get the old type R12 gas in bribane.Just got some for my 86 xf s, cost 85dollars. That was 2 months ago.