HVAC reliability

[Zimm]

The small stuff won’t be fixed in the next year - it will take a few years to smooth out. But I think there is no better option out there

Here's the thing. If you bought it, and it's not a software issue, YOUR's will not be fixed. Whether or not improvements are made don't really matter much to the people that own them now, if it's going to be a voluntary significant cost correction.

Buy it because you want it. Whatever the personal reason is, doesn't matter. If you're gonna rationalize by needing a "snow vehicle", just stop it. Every modern AWD passenger car out there is a better car for that. Eventually you'll hate yourself. Ignore the original ideal the car was shooting for and ignore the marketing bullshit it is now. Tune it all out. Just be honest with your ego, be self aware, declare your id is making the call on this one, and do what it says.

It works. It's how I've decided on every single wife.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Here's the thing. If you bought it, and it's not a software issue, YOUR's will not be fixed. Whether or not improvements are made don't really matter much to the people that own them now, if it's going to be a voluntary significant cost correction.

Buy it because you want it. Whatever the personal reason is, doesn't matter. If you're gonna rationalize by needing a "snow vehicle", just stop it. Every modern AWD passenger car out there is a better car for that. Eventually you'll hate yourself. Ignore the original ideal the car was shooting for and ignore the marketing bullshit it is now. Tune it all out. Just be honest with your ego, be self aware, declare your id is making the call on this one, and do what it says.

It works. It's how I've decided on every single wife.

Do you remember “The Last Psychiatrist?” Rumor has it he was also from PA - swear it could be your alter-ego. I think his last post was in 2014. Shame.

 

[terdrocket]

After fixing a low coolant issue at my 12k service, my HVAC has been fantastic.

 

[Boruni]

Hello, I have had Grenadier for 1.5 years. I have driven 32000 km. I have already made another appointment for HVAC repair. Now I am so angry that I want to return the car. For 108 000 euros I got HVAC that works 100 times worse than in my Pajero I from 1989. AC does not work, I drive with the windows open. And when I need heat, there is none. Total crap. I love this car despite the inadequacy of the price to the equipment, but you can't drive like that..

 

[Skydance]

Hello, I have had Grenadier for 1.5 years. I have driven 32000 km. I have already made another appointment for HVAC repair. Now I am so angry that I want to return the car. For 108 000 euros I got HVAC that works 100 times worse than in my Pajero I from 1989. AC does not work, I drive with the windows open. And when I need heat, there is none. Total crap. I love this car despite the inadequacy of the price to the equipment, but you can't drive like that..

If you followed some of the old posts on HVAC. The fix is to purge the air out of the coolant tanks and top up coolant so both a level with max on a cold engine. This will fix most of the problems. Then after this, if the air con still doesn’t get cold then I suggest going to dealer and check if refrigerant needs topping up whilst checking for leaks.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Hello, I have had Grenadier for 1.5 years. I have driven 32000 km. I have already made another appointment for HVAC repair. Now I am so angry that I want to return the car. For 108 000 euros I got HVAC that works 100 times worse than in my Pajero I from 1989. AC does not work, I drive with the windows open. And when I need heat, there is none. Total crap. I love this car despite the inadequacy of the price to the equipment, but you can't drive like that..

Really hope your dealer fixes this for you - you’re definitely one of the “pioneers.” I’m with @Skydance on the points the dealer needs to hit - fingers crossed. I’ll bet you get it fixed - send us an update!

 

[Tempus Fugit]

Thanks a lot for all of this great info. Seems like the main issue really is the coolants/purging the lines. I'm going to contact the dealer this week and make sure they know about this pitfall and that it's sorted before I buy it if we decide to (sounds like they must by now). The car is an absolute blast to drive, so as long as the HVAC works I know I'll be very happy with it.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Thanks a lot for all of this great info. Seems like the main issue really is the coolants/purging the lines. I'm going to contact the dealer this week and make sure they know about this pitfall and that it's sorted before I buy it if we decide to (sounds like they must by now). The car is an absolute blast to drive, so as long as the HVAC works I know I'll be very happy with it.

Well you know what they say, @Tempus Fugit - Carpe Diem ;o)

 

[Matt72]

The problem with the automatic climate control is due to the design. They wanted to find a simple solution. The temperature sensor is located on the passenger side, top right. There are not multiple sensors, as is usual in modern vehicle construction. This one sensor is overwhelmed when the sun shines directly on the windshield. It is also bad if your Grenadier is painted dark. In strong sunlight, the air conditioning tries to cool down too much. This then leads to cold feet. You just have to regulate the air conditioning manually and it will work perfectly. The Grenadier has a few weaknesses, but that is also its character! I love this car, a light may come on now and then, but it always gets you to your destination.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

The problem with the automatic climate control is due to the design. They wanted to find a simple solution. The temperature sensor is located on the passenger side, top right. There are not multiple sensors, as is usual in modern vehicle construction. This one sensor is overwhelmed when the sun shines directly on the windshield. It is also bad if your Grenadier is painted dark. In strong sunlight, the air conditioning tries to cool down too much. This then leads to cold feet. You just have to regulate the air conditioning manually and it will work perfectly. The Grenadier has a few weaknesses, but that is also its character! I love this car, a light may come on now and then, but it always gets you to your destination.

Fascinating - first time I’ve heard this re the sensor

 

[Gasguzzler]

The problem with the automatic climate control is due to the design. They wanted to find a simple solution. The temperature sensor is located on the passenger side, top right. There are not multiple sensors, as is usual in modern vehicle construction. This one sensor is overwhelmed when the sun shines directly on the windshield. It is also bad if your Grenadier is painted dark. In strong sunlight, the air conditioning tries to cool down too much. This then leads to cold feet. You just have to regulate the air conditioning manually and it will work perfectly. The Grenadier has a few weaknesses, but that is also its character! I love this car, a light may come on now and then, but it always gets you to your destination.

Where is the sensor located?

 

[CJF]

Is this true - if operated solely manually (temp & fan speed), the HVAC system works as it should ?

 

[rovie]

Is this true - if operated solely manually (temp & fan speed), the HVAC system works as it should ?

I don't think you can say that across the board. There seem to be clear differences. In my case, the HVAC also works in car mode without any problems.

 

[DoubleDoom]

Is this true - if operated solely manually (temp & fan speed), the HVAC system works as it should ?

I have mine on manual more than auto. Auto doesn't heat the car enough when cold, especially the footwell, and over does the aircon on the windscreen when hot. Auto also causes the windscreen to mist up in winter as it doesn't seem to direct anything to the screen.

Manual works as you would expect it for me. It pumps out more heat when cold and you can choose to direct it.

On mild days, auto is fine. It just cannot handle hot and cold days.

 

[Eric]

Is this true - if operated solely manually (temp & fan speed), the HVAC system works as it should ?

I've never used auto. Always used manual settings. No issues other than the time it takes to warm up (8 minutes or 8 miles) when the outside ambient is really cold. ie when you need heat quickly. This time corresponds to the engine temperature ( in off road settings) getting up to normal and not the dashboard water temperature gauge which is up to normal in a mile.

 

[CRH]

I don't necessarily disagree with your comments, but predictable HVAC should be a given in any vehicle built in 2023-4-5. I've never been in a LC-70 series truck but my understanding is that it has not changed all that much from the 80s (recent facelift acknowledged) - I'd guess its heat works fine. Maybe our Oz members can comment.

Truthfully, I do not want, need, or use an "auto" function - a good ole' red-blue slider/knob would suffice. HVAC, from a functional standpoint, shouldn't vary from a basic $20,000 Kia or a $200,000 G -Wagon. The fact that the IG is toughly built shouldn't push properly functioning HVAC to the "small stuff" list of teeth-cutting issues - especially if it cannot be rectified (ie it's a flawed design not a software thing). It's a basic system that has been successfully implemented for decades.

Agree, I had a week away in cold temperature when I first got mine.
Could only have full heat or cold, auto was cold and the full heat on long drives make me drowsy. I really thought i had messed up getting the vehicle as I do need to be able to heat my feet then switch to a mid auto heat. Dealer had a few goes before it was fixed. It still plays funny buggers but I've learnt how to use it so it does what I want. If I have full heat on feet then go to auto it blows cold on feet warm at face. Need a short ful blast of aircon cold then it works.
If it wasn't fixable I would have had to get rid, but thankfully, if we and dealers persevere, it will work.
I know i sound a bit soft as I did have heat but it wasn't something I could have lived with.
Vehicle is now on just short of 19,000 miles.

 

[Skydance]

Manual for me too. I leave it on the demister and feet setting, fan 1 and it seems to do the trick. In auto, sometimes it gets stuck in between settings and it cause the HVAC to whistle, whereas if you turn the settings manually, it doesn’t whistle.