Just bought a low miler 96 1.5 f gl for my girlfriend & I'm not sure if the dealer is scamming me or not, but he says that although the air con switch is there & lights up, the reason you don't hear the compressor kicking in is because some cars didn't have a/c as standard but Mazda fitted the switch anyway !!!
It seems a bit daft to me but the car seems to be very well specced & I would have thought a/c would have been there.
I'd appreciate any info on specs etc & if the dealer is right...
I'm planning on fitting an in car dvd & 2 headrest screens, hands free car kit & audio system so hopefully photies will follow.
Cheers Tony.

Yes, your dealer is right. Producing standard components is much cheaper, than building many special parts. You can easily get out, whether your car has AC or not... have a look at the bonnet and look for the AC-cooler...

Thanks for that...
Here I am showing my ignorance, but where exactly is the cooler situated.
Tony.

My car is the same. It did have a black sticker over it but this fell off. It is cos thay make the parts and standard then connect them up if needed.

You mentioned, I have problems with the special words I would need to explain it... the ac-cooler is located in front of the engine-cooler thus it is the very first part behind the front bumper.

In the right door... there is a sticker... and a field AC: and there is written yes or no. Then you will know it exactly, without technical knowledge

That's great...I'll have a good look over it tomorrow...It's not that I'm that bothered about a/c it's more the fact that I don't want to be ripped off by some slimey salesman !!!
Thanks for all your help
Gotta feeling I'll be back pretty soon ....

Again, same here. I believe that the wiring loom is common to all, and at about R reg a/c became standard on the ZXi and Executive. Cars from around then therefore often have the switch (it even lights up automatically...) but no a/c.


M

Yep same here. i got a 1997 1.8 Executive it has the a/c button but not a/c cooler under the bonnet. oh well

easy check, if there are 2 cooling fans then its probally got air con fitted wether it works is another matter. by the way most common air con fault on 323 ba is the wire from loom to pump it is cable tied around power steering pressure hose and is a single wire it breaks oner sheathing easy repair to do and cheap, garage would spend hours looking for it and charge you a fortune!l

If you have a/c, in the engine bay you will see shiney pipes running around the back of the engine bay. Like below.

[img]http://www.maz323f.co.uk/cars/soulsurfer/soulsurfer04.jpg[/img]

If the pipes aint there then no you dont have ac

I got the pipes, and the A/C .. but need a new compressor! Apparently a VERY expensive job so I'm looking to have it taken out to try to shift a good few kilos off the already-hefty front end!

Anyone know if this can be done or will it involve all new belts & pulleys?!

all you should need is a new power steering belt. if you strip whole system out keep rad condensor unit as they cost @2oo quid to replace so should be easy to sell !!