[Chhanda Das]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

I checked the cabin AC filter, and it had only normal debris and dust however I cleaned it and reinstalled it. Had a drive of around 250 kms the next day and sadly the issue still persist.

Oh no, then it might very well be a sensor issue and you would need a good/powerful OBD2 device to check these sensor readings thoroughly. However, before diagnosing this further, one thing that you can do is pressure wash the front of the car especially on and around the radiator and the AC condenser through the grille area. Please keep the bonnet closed while pressure washing. Sometimes dirt and debris on the radiator and condenser coils can also cause such issues. Keeping my fingers crossed in the hopes that this works

[BLACNWYTE]

Will try the pressure washing process this weekend and update the status.

If the issue still persist, I'm planning to take the matter up at the next scheduled yearly service which will be in July 2023. Hopefully the monsoons in Kerala will get underway by June and I have to worry about AC only for the next month

Will the HASS have powerful enough OBD2 reader to identify if this is a sensor issue. I ask this because last year at scheduled service I had mentioned the starting of this issue and they told everything was fine, no faults detected.

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Will try the pressure washing process this weekend and update the status.

For me the problem happened right after I did the pressure wash. Ever since I stopped the pressure, things have been good. Maybe it's just a mind game that's playing but I decided not to do it again .

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

For me the problem happened right after I did the pressure wash. Ever since I stopped the pressure, things have been good. Maybe it's just a mind game that's playing but I decided not to do it again .

And the AC conundrum continues. Now I don't want to do the pressure wash as I don't intend to worsen the issue. However, if I don't do the pressure wash o won't know whether the problem is due to a dirty radiator/ condenser. Quite the Schrodinger's cat situation here now.

Seeing that I might have to go for a complete system check with regard to the AC, I'm crossing my fingers and going for the pressure wash this weekend. Maybe it will resolve my issue.

Naveen sir, any update on your steed. Is it throwing the same tantrum now. Also if possible a can you please ask your HASS whether any other 2015-17 Creta has reported the same issue.

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Naveen sir, any update on your steed. Is it throwing the same tantrum now. Also if possible a can you please ask your HASS whether any other 2015-17 Creta has reported the same issue.

Havent given the car for service yet. Maybe in a week or 2. Will definitely keep you posted. Was following another first gen Creta the other day and it had the same windshield fogging issue. I have that problem everyday now.

[Chhanda Das]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Will try the pressure washing process this weekend and update the status.
Will the HASS have powerful enough OBD2 reader to identify if this is a sensor issue. I ask this because last year at scheduled service I had mentioned the starting of this issue and they told everything was fine, no faults detected.

By default, any and every Hyundai authorized service centre has to have a fully functional OBD2 device. They probably mentioned all is well because neither could they replicate the issue nor could they find anything in the ECU log files. Since the issue only occurs after an hour or so of driving, you would need to arrange for a proper test drive.

Also, while trying the pressure washing process, please avoid too much water pressure especially on or around the ambient temperature sensor (image below).

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

For me the problem happened right after I did the pressure wash. Ever since I stopped the pressure, things have been good. Maybe it's just a mind game that's playing but I decided not to do it again .

It is very likely that maybe your pressure washing somehow caused water ingress into the ambient air temperature sensor causing it to show incorrect temperature readings to the AC control unit.

And here are some more possibilities :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5OVdPWVSdQ

[vishy76]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Air Conditioner Issue Continues.

So, the AC issue had resurfaced in January 2023 a couple of times and since February end its frequency have increased. The issue doesn't happen on short trips (less than 50 kms) but on longer trips its regular now. I have been studying the issue and the following are my observations;
.

The symptoms seem to point towards a classic case of cooling coil temperature sensor failure. The sensor is what detects the temperature on the surface of the evaporator or cooling coil and relays it to the ECM which accordingly cuts the air con on and off to prevent icing of the coil and the associated air con ducts.

What you need to do is very simple. Go to Hyundai and ask them to hook up their OBD scanner. Monitor the live data stream from this sensor and see if it's relaying the correct data. If it isn't, you have your culprit.

If the sensor is fine, you can look at other issues like a stuck open AC compressor solenoid valve (if the Creta has one).

[BLACNWYTE]

UPDATE

Sixth Year/ 60000 Kms Service

As it was time for the annual service of Panda, I made an appointment with Popular Hyundai Trivandrum this time. They were accepting bookings on Sunday also. So, I booked mine with the service centre located at Karakkamandapam on the Trivandrum- Kanyakumari highway.

Even though I have a great experience, during the last service at Pothen's Hyundai, Balaramapuram; I wanted to get Panda serviced at a more established workshop this time due to the AC issues. The Pothen's workshop had only two bays and seemed like a small establishment.

So as per the appointment I went at 8:30 AM and the place was empty sans one SA. However, he started the service booking procedure and I told him about the peculiar AC issue that I had been facing for a while now. He patiently listened to all issues and also my amateur diagnosis. The one thing I liked was that he didn't give any gyaan nor he tried to list out all the expensive repairs possible. He just said that they will do a diagnosis and proceed from there. About the windshield fogging issue he suggested that it might be due to the disintegration of packing sponge material under the dashboard. They will have to open up the dashboard and check to be sure. Similar to what was told to DBHPian Naveen Raju.

Further he didn't try to push any of the value added services either. Since I had some urgent work back at home, I left Panda there and returned.

About an hour ago, I received a call from my SA saying that they have identified, the AC issue to a leak in the cooling coil. I asked him to double check and make sure that it is not one of the sensors. He replied that there is definitely a leak in the cooling coil and the sensors are fine as per the OBD scan. So, I authorised the work and also to remove the dashboard and resolve the windshield fogging issue.

I am not 100% sure on that but I bit the bullet and gave the go ahead. I have also warned the SA that the car in its almost 6 year life doesn't have a single squeak and I want it back in the same condition. I have asked him to use new clips (if needed) when the put it back . Also I have requested pictures of the work being done and that of the damaged parts. Let's see whether they comply or not.

The total estimated cost is around Rs.4000/-+ taxes for regular service and Rs.8500/-+ taxes for the AC and dashboard works.

Till now, I'm feeling positive about the experience but keeping my fingers crossed.

[BLACNWYTE]

Seventh Paid Service - Details

The regular service was done, mineral oil used as usual, oil filter changed, routine periodic maintenance of brakes and other parts done. I skipped the wheel rotation, alignment and balancing. Decided to get that done from outside. The SA called me about the silencer/ exhaust having holes and rust issues. Seems like the work done last year didn't hold up properly so I decided not to spend anymore money on that now. If it gets too 'holey' I'll sacrifice it to the car Gods and go for an SS or FFE one.

One of the major work authorised was the replacement of old leaking evaporator coil which was the culprit in the low cooling. I was given back the old coil and I have to say that after using the car for about 100 kms post replacement the AC cooling has come back to its old self. Its quite chilling at 24 deg Celsius with fan speed at 2 and only me inside. However, I will give a final verdict on the issue after long trips in the sun with full capacity. Till then I'll remain skeptical.

So as said above, I decided to get rid of the windshield fogging issue resolved for once and all. It was bothering me very much. I was very much wary of the start of rattling saga once the factory fit was messed with but the irritation of the fogging was almost on par if not a bit more.

So trusting my SA's promise that there won't be any rattles, I gave the go ahead. I received one very short video of the service and a picture of the dismantled dashboard on whatsapp from SA. They kept Panda overnight and completed the works by 24th afternoon and I was asked to come by 4 PM to collect the car. I was there by 4:30 - 5 PM and as usual the car was not ready. Well everything cannot be on point with HASS, right?

So, I wait in their lounge, and I had my son with me, so they brought him a pack of oreo and latte for me and said it will take 10-15 mins. After about half an hour, I was told my Panda was ready and we went off for the test drive. SA was driving and I was on the passenger seat praying to all the Gods that let there be no rattles please. Thankfully there were none. The SA has made good on his promise. He even asked me where I want to go on a rough road drive to make sure that there are no rattles and I said that I will do on my own. I have to say that these guys had confidence in their work.

So a very happy me was thinking about going on a drive with my family sometime soon when I was suddenly startled by a loud rubbing noise from the left front wheel area. There goes all my peace and I pointed it out to SA immediately. He was however looking out for traffic that he missed it and I told him we have one more right hand turn coming up and then you will hear it. As soon as we turned right there it was a long rubbing sound from the+wheel well area. This time he heard it too and he said he will call the mechanic. I went with the mechanic for a test drive and on left turns there was no sound but on right turns the same rubbing sound. He also acknowledged the issue and took the car back to service bay while me and my son again waited in the lounge.

In 10 mins they called us back saying everything was resolved, and the rubbing sound was due to some dirt getting trapped behind the plate that covers the brake disc and it was rubbing when the wheel turned. I was not sure whether this was the truth or they left something in there while servicing, anyway the issue was resolved. It have never happened again.

So I decided to take Panda home and the final bill amount came to Rs. 12,494/-. This included the replacement of evaporator coil, engine oil and filter and all the labour involved including the removal and resetting of dashboard. I was given 20% discount on labour due to some camp offer. Also I was give a coupon for a free 80 point inspection and wash valid within six months or 5000 kms.

On inspection back at home, it was seen that several grease spots/ smudges were on the body and thankfully not inside. So overall I would give Popular Hyundai, Karakkamandapam, Trivandrum 9.5/10 for the service.

The Odo stands at 51200 kms. I'll include some pictures in the wheel rotation, alignment and balancing post.

[SixPistons]

Finding decent Garages/ASS is a fight.
I have observed the same Rubbing Sound on our Baleno in the wheel during a left turn. I think this started happening after the front link rods or suspension rods were changed(I don’t remember what it was). I am not sure who to take it to. On the last test run with a technician, same sound did not come up again.

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by SixPistons

Finding decent Garages/ASS is a fight.

Very true. However, the last two HASS I took Panda to were very decent. One had only two bays and small staff and the most recent one was a full fledged big workshop.

In both cases I had very good experiences. Issues were resolved and service was done to my satisfaction.

Regarding your issue, I would ask the MASS / Nexa Service to sort it out once and if they fail I'll try and include MSIL in the loop. As far as I have heard, MSIL takes customer satisfaction very seriously.

[BLACNWYTE]

Tyre Rotation, Wheel Alignment and Balancing

Got the tyre rotation, wheel alignment and balancing done from a shop near to home where I had got them done earlier. Had a decent experience last time at a very reasonable rate hence decided to go there itself. Got it done in the last week of July and I got lazy to update here.

Reached there and found that the entrance to the shop was dug up by the water authority for laying pipes and it was a slush paste of red clay soil which coated all four my tyres with thick half inch layer of dirt.

The first half an hour of the tyre rotation was the scraping off and cleaning the tyres for balancing. One of the front tyre had low tread and I asked the spare wheel which had decent tread to be swapped with it. The tyres have about 3-4k km life left in them. For me that would take about 6-8 months I guess. Then the tyres would be 6.5 years old and I'll anyway change them based of age itself.

So the newly rotated drive wheels have good tread and the one with the lowest tread depth goes in as the spare. Got all tyres deflated and filled again with Nitrogen. Total cost came to Rs. 1800/- including the Nitrogen filling.













I know I had earlier raised issues with the GY Assurance Triplemax tyres regarding their manufacturing defects and sidewall bulges. However, apart from one sidewall bulge and two punctures over the period of about 6 years, these tyres have not let me down. If you remove the sidewall bulge from the question these tyres are very VFM. I usually drive at maximum of 90kmph on open highways and I have to say the tyre noise is very less. the rubber has held up very nicely for these 6 years and the ride quality is alright. The dry and wet grip of these tyre is great even at a reduced tread depth.

I feel obliged to write this here as the tyres have exceeded my expectations. I was apprehensive after the tyre sidewall bulge at 5k kms but after that for the next 48k kms they have held up quite nicely. Having said that I will most probably go for Conti/Yoko/Bridgestone as the replacement.

The Odo stand a smidge over 53k kms as on date.

[BLACNWYTE]

The Clutch Scare.

Initially I thought to add this along with the wheel alignment post but then decided to keep it seperate.

About two weeks ago, we went on a shopping trip with the whole family. The car was fully loaded with people as well as luggage. I'm talking about more than half a tonne of load. So at a small incline towards a traffic signal, I tried using the half clutch method to balance the car and then start off, I stalled her. A couple of times. The next time I gave a little more throttle and the car struggled to pull and it was jerking, lugging and then stalled. Tried again with a big more throttle and I guess I slipped more clutch but Panda pulled through. Same thing happened on a mall's exit incline.

This had happened once a few months ago on a steep incline at a junction where I had to use half clutch method. I've been driving for about 1 lakh kms now but still gets edgy on the steep inclined with half clutch method. I know the easier way of using the hand brake but my ego override that judgement everytime.

Further, there was a plastic burning smell in the cabin after strong acceleration at times even when my foot was nowhere near the clutch pedal. I thought somehow the clutch was slipping on its own.

Long story short, I was almost convinced that I have fried my clutch and will need a replacement. So the next routine for the past week was to pour over clutch life and wear signs threads and web pages. I got to know that replacing the clutch meant, replacing clutch plate, pressure plate, clutch release bearing, master and slave cylinders, if necessary the fly wheel and then bleeding the system. I checked on Boodmo and the parts alone including flywheel was coming to over 25k. So including labour it meant close to 35k and I have another 35k worth tyre replacement expense coming up.

Therefore, I decided to check whether the clutch was indeed going kaput before jumping the gun on replacement. One of the most frequently suggested method to test the clutch life was to check the speed and corresponding rpm. If the rpms are higher than the usual then the clutch is at the end of it's life. So I decided to test this.

I had a trip to Kochi planned and had decided to ride up the Vande Bharat express but that was changed to driving down alone so that I can check the performance and also because solo rides in rain can be therapeutic and absolute bliss.

So on the rainy afternoon on 28th I started for Kochi and though I could not keep a steady pace in Trivandrum city, once I got on the MC Road, it was fun. I decided to go the MC way because the my usual route of NH 66 was under expansion and I knew for sure I won't be able to keep any pace there. So on the beautiful curvy road I observed that my Panda is hitting her usual stride of 1500 rpm at 60kmph on 6th gear. I have never been so happy to cruise at 60kmph. 1750 rpms at 70 kmph and 2k rpms at 80kmph. Perfect. I guess the speed limit on MC is 70kmph so I didn't go overboard and kept to 60-70 kmph.

Since it was raining heavily throughout the journey, I kept a slow but steady pace and reached home by 9PM a whole lot happier on two fronts. Long drive in the rain and no clutch problems. Have been driving around Kochi for the past 2 days and no juddering or jerking in the snail paced city traffic in first 2 gears. Half clutch method works and Panda eases forward without throttle input.

I hope everything is fine (knockwood) and I'm trying to better my driving technique and skill so that I don't fry that clutch.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

[b]Have been driving around Kochi for the past 2 days and no juddering or jerking in the snail paced city traffic in first 2 gears. Half clutch method works and Panda eases forward without throttle input.

I hope everything is fine (knockwood) and I'm trying to better my driving technique and skill so that I don't fry that clutch.

For slippage, do observe in lower gears or heavy acceleration. Clutch slippage occurs more under load than at steady cruising speeds. Those infrequent judders are another early indication of clutch dying. Hope it turns out fine.

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by ashis89

For slippage, do observe in lower gears or heavy acceleration.

I have my return journey planned for tomorrow. Will check that on the way. Few 'loaded' trips are also coming up so, will know for sure by end of October.