The other day i noticed that my car would steam up which i thought was strange as the aircon should clear it!

How ever on investigation when you flick between econ and the aircon on theres no starain on the engine and no engine tone change which would indicate the aircon isnt working.

Ive checked the fill in the system and it is ok, a bit low but still within the manifactures specs and the fuse for the system is ok.

Im very mehcanical minded and ive done many a thing on many a car but has anyone got any idea as to what it could be and where i could look next.

I take it it could be the compressor knackered but im hoping it could be something simple and an easy fix!!!

Any help or advise would be great cheers

Dan

Is the clutch plate still on the compressor. Sometimes the nut holding the plate on comes loose, and you end up losing it!

The compressor will also not operate between 2 and 5 degrees C, I believe (I'll check tomorrow though).

Do you have any way of checking for error codes?

Where do i look for this nut?

I know where th compressor is and so on but not sure which nut you mean!

I did wonder about if the fact that the temp was too low wether the aircon would work but why shouldnt it, doesnt it on most other cars!

Im sure it did all the time on may a BMW that ive had! but if you could check that would be good that could solve my immediate problem

IIRC below 5c and the aircon will not operate.

Ok thats good to hear that mean theres probaly little wrong with my system then just too cold.

Will have to wait and see when it warms up what its like cheers

Found the info. Nut I mentioned is item '1' on the diagram. It's a quick visual inspection.

Also confirmed that the clutch is switched off between 2 and 5 degrees.

As for why the air con is switched off at low temperatures, it's to protect the the chiller from damage caused by an excess ice buildup on the matrix.

Yeah makes sense, i take it thats below 2-5 degree?

Thanks guys that might just solve my problem

Hard to be certain with no location Dannyboy, but certainly most of the UK has had some days when VAG aircon would switch itself off due to low temperatures recently.

This is Broadsword signing off.

As for why the air con is switched off at low temperatures, it's to protect the the chiller from damage caused by an excess ice buildup on the matrix.

Does this apply to all models including a 2003 TDi?....

The air conditioner on the Octavia I range operates only when the ambient temperature is above about +5 degrees C. The same temperature applies to the Fabia and Superb. However the figure is +2 degrees C for the Octavia II.