During rapid recharging, the air conditioning compressor of the new electric Mégane may break down.
Buying a brand new model necessarily means taking the risk of running out of steam, even more so if the vehicle marks a technical and technological breakthrough for the manufacturer. The new Megane electric might thus hardly escape the defects of youth.
A few weeks following the start of deliveries, customers are affected by a breakdown of the air conditioning compressor. Obviously aware of the media importance of the vehicle, Renault was quick to react. Automobile Propre takes stock of the situation.
What is the failure ?
Cases of failure of the air conditioning compressor have been identified, which may have required the replacement of this part. The number of cases listed is still low, around twenty at the time of writing these lines. The problem was brought to light by the long journeys and strong heat of this summer. Due to the management of a valve between the battery cooling circuit and the air conditioning circuit, the air conditioning compressor can run in a vacuum and therefore be damaged.
Who is concerned ?
The failure occurs during a rapid charge of the vehicle, while the air conditioning has automatically cut off. It concerns vehicles that are not equipped with a heat pump. The models with the heat pump have a different air conditioning management software, which avoids the problem.
What is Renault’s reaction?
The problem was beginning to be known to dealers, who were therefore able to provide an explanation to customers. And it was becoming publicized. Renault then made an official communication to its customers to acknowledge that it had “identified a low probability of the air conditioning system being out of service”. And above all tried to limit breakage.
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What is the solution ?
Renault indicates that a “solution will be applied remotely during the month of September”. It will not be necessary to go to a garage, since the update is “over-the-air”.
In the meantime, what to do?
In the case of rapid charging, care must be taken to ensure that the air conditioning remains on. Renault has therefore sent the method to follow to prevent the air conditioning from automatically switching off following a few minutes: connect the vehicle, start charging from the terminal then start the air conditioning!
But be careful, you have to get on board, close the doors BUT do not lock them while charging! If the doors are opened/closed, the air conditioning stops following 60 seconds. In addition, if the procedure is followed, following 40 minutes, the air conditioning must be restarted.
All this tedious process does not concern the standard recharge.
