Not happy. Not happy at all.

I've ordered my new car that should arrive in three months, have sorted out the part ex on my current car that has just come to the end of a PCP agreement. Now, one month after I settled the finance, the aircon has suddenly stopped working.

I really don't need a big bill at the moment.

Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

I can't hear it cutting in and out when I hit the "ECON" button, so I'm guessing it's more than just a regas.

The alternative is just do without and hope the dealer doesn't notice the aircon doesn't work - it will be November when I trade it in. The trouble is, apart from being too honest for my own good, I actually notice the difference, even in the recent cooler weather.

If someone could point me in the right direction or suggest a decent and cheap aircon specialist in the Bristol area, I'd be most grateful.

Cheers,

Steve

Just come back from Kwik Fit. They say it needs more than a regas. The compressor isn't cutting in. I thought this was because the system automatically shuts down when the gas is low, but it seems not.

Anyone have any ideas of where I go from here?

I'm now desperate.

TIA.

Steve.

Is there a local air-conditioning specialist you could approach? I have found them more useful in the past than dealers, who are not typically that well versed in aircon systems.

At its simplest, I guess it could just be a fuse - have you checked to see if there are any fuses in the system?

P.

Shhh..... just say nothing

Steve, if dealer maintained throughout, then Skoda may do a goodwill gesture - especially if you've ordered another (or the dealership can make out you're on the verge of even if already ordered).

One of the benifits when you've used the dealerships rather than indi's for servicing

Thanks for the replies.

I'll try to answer everyone at once.

1) I can't locate the fuse for the aircon compressor - it's not in the manual.

2) I've considered saying nothing but I don't want to be without the aircon in the meantime and if the dealer spots my dishonesty, they may knock it off of the trade-in at main dealer prices.

3) I have already ordered my new Octy through the dealer I'm part exchanging my current car with, so it may be an option to see if they can help me out.

Another dealer - the one who does my servicing, but is not the same dealer I'm getting the new car from ( a long story) - has quoted £75 just to look at it and any additional work on top.:mad:

Steve, if dealer maintained throughout, then Skoda may do a goodwill gesture - especially if you've ordered another (or the dealership can make out you're on the verge of even if already ordered).

One of the benifits when you've used the dealerships rather than indi's for servicing

Gadgetman,

I've had it done at main dealers for everything except one service where I had to use a VW dealer as the Skoda dealer in Bristol went out of business. Hopefully they'll forgive me.

Steve.

I understand there's a problem with valeo/zelex compressors. My octy had a valeo compressor (which failed), and was replaced with a new valeo compressor (which failed), and was replaced with a denso compressor and works

Many VW group cars are affected by this problem. VW and Audi have technical bulletin that mention the problem VW870710 (see http://www.geocities.com/nfe100/Tech...noperative.pdf). The bulletin mentions

that the solution to a failed Zelex/valeo compressor is to replace it with a Denso or Sanden compressor.

It maybe something as simple as a cheap sensor, however with winter now approaching and you changing cars in a few months I would leave it be and not mention it being broken when you switch cars.

It maybe something as simple as a cheap sensor, however with winter now approaching and you changing cars in a few months I would leave it be and not mention it being broken when you switch cars.

Although it goes against the grain a bit, I think I may take that option. After all, I'm giving it to a dealer and it's not going to cost them as much to sort it.

The only problem is, if they check it when I give them the car and they decide they're going to knock it off the price.

I understand there's a problem with valeo/zelex compressors. My octy had a valeo compressor (which failed), and was replaced with a new valeo compressor (which failed), and was replaced with a denso compressor and works

Many VW group cars are affected by this problem. VW and Audi have technical bulletin that mention the problem VW870710 (see http://www.geocities.com/nfe100/Tech...noperative.pdf). The bulletin mentions

that the solution to a failed Zelex/valeo compressor is to replace it with a Denso or Sanden compressor.

The fact it's done 138,000 miles without a problem would suggest the compressor is quite a reliable beast. I'm sure it's something simple as it just failed without warning. When Kwik Fit looked at it, it wasn't leaking and they were able to regas it without a problem - obviously they couldn't charge me as they couldn't do as they promised.

If it's something simple, at least I've had a free regas.

If only it were a bit more accessible, I could put a meter on it and see if it's getting any power.

Oh well, I've had a local specialist out, and it's the compressor. I'll cost £600 to replace, so I think I'll pass.

I can't praise the bloke who had a look at it enough though. He was at my place for around 2 hours checcking and double checking absolutely everything, including fault codes, and only charged £25.

If anyone's in the Bristol area and interested, the company is Go Cool Services. It's a fixed price of £25 to call out and diagnose the problem and the option to walk away with nothing more to pay.

So, I'm £25 lighter but at least I know what the problem is :-)

I'd still come clean with the dealer before they come after you for selling the car to them without declaring it.

As for the VW service, should be OK. Try Skoda and the dealer you're buying from. They wont want to foot the bill, so will likely help you get this figure quashed or drastically reduced.

I'd still come clean with the dealer before they come after you for selling the car to them without declaring it.

As for the VW service, should be OK. Try Skoda and the dealer you're buying from. They wont want to foot the bill, so will likely help you get this figure quashed or drastically reduced.

Thanks,

As I've said earlier, it goes against my principles to be dishonest. I'll give the dealer I'm buying the car from a call and see what he suggests.

Oh well, I called the dealer where I'm part exchanging and buying my new car and came clean. They told me it would be £900 to replace the compressor or £300 off the part exchange. I'm not sure I should have owned up now as I didn't get any credit for it, just that they would have spotted it anyway - yeah right, like they'd spot the aircon doesn't work in November:mad:. I haven't signed the paperwork yet, although the car has been ordered, so I've a good mind to walk away.

I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised from an industry not known for its honesty.

Well I certainly wouldn't have said anything, I traded in a BMW once with a faulty climate control panel 9.5/10 times it wouldn't turn on with the car and sometimes a good hit got it working, wasn't working when I handed it in, and I was going to say nothing as I'd parked it up, mechanic then went to check the car over and very fortunate for me it sprung into life so as far as I was concerned I handed it over working, never heard any more about it.

In your case not likely dealer would have checked air con in November.