Air Conditioning not working

[Chrisby]

Hi, Appreciate if anyone has any ideas on this problem. My 55 Reg Octavia Elegance air con is not working at all, my pal who is an air con engineer but not particularly auto checked the gas pressure today and it shows about 50psi which we believe is fine. The problem though is that neither the compressor nor the radiator fans kick in so it is maybe an electrical fault, we can find nothing obvious. The car is booked in to the Skoda dealer for the end of this week but I would be interested if anyone knows what it could be.

Thanks

Chris

[ap0gee1978]

It may be the evaporator temperature sensor - a fault code scan should pick it up, but seeing if it blows cold when you first start the car (but not once it's warmed up) can also be an indicator.

HTH

[Chrisby]

It may be the evaporator temperature sensor - a fault code scan should pick it up, but seeing if it blows cold when you first start the car (but not once it's warmed up) can also be an indicator.

HTH

Thanks ap0gee, It doesnt seem to do anything so I await the verdict (and cost) on Friday. I understand your answer though and thanks for that, will post the result when sorted.

Chris

[simonsheil]

I had the wire corrode through where it connected to the clutch, hence it would not engage,

[Onetap]

Same year and model, my aircon failed a couple of months back. If the system static pressure is normal and the compressor isn't operating, I'm told that it usually means a new compressor. There is no electromagnetic clutch on these, there is an internal pulley which will shear if the compressor is over-loaded. It cost me about £550.

[Chrisby]

I had the wire corrode through where it connected to the clutch, hence it would not engage,

Thanks for that info, I hope its something as straight forward as that, will let you know.

Chris

[Chrisby]

Hi All, Thought that you who were kind enough to give me your opinions on the air conditioning problem would like to know that today Skoda dealer diagnosed the fault as a failed compressor.

Am now thinking about this and will research into a possible alternative to the £500 plus cost of replacement at the dealer.

Thanks Again,

Chris

[INFINITY_99]

This problem is generic to Skoda cars of a certain period. In fact I recently had the compressor and dryer tube changed at 32000kms. My car is just 2 yrs old today. Some Skda Cars have a continously running compressor with a pressure valve for A/C operation. The valve will not be activated till the compressor develops 28 PSI, then the AC kicks in. Many a times it is this valve which is the cause of all the trouble. Of course now on the newer models the AC compressor has a magnetic clutch which runs the compressor.I would suggest you get the pressure valve checked too.

[Steve_Birdie]

Chris, where abouts are you in the country? I am in the midlands and got my new compressor fitted for under £400 with a local Auto A/C specialist. I have the same engine and same year car (though not the estate). It did however need a £100 fan too (which we think may have been the cause of the compressor failure).

Skoda quoted nearly £600 for just changing the compressor and a local Skoda/VW specialist wanted £900!!!!

[Adumass]

Chris, where abouts are you in the country? I am in the midlands and got my new compressor fitted for under £400 with a local Auto A/C specialist. I have the same engine and same year car (though not the estate). It did however need a £100 fan too (which we think may have been the cause of the compressor failure).

Skoda quoted nearly £600 for just changing the compressor and a local Skoda/VW specialist wanted £900!!!!

Hi Steve, excuse me jumping into the thread, but i am in coventry so fairly local.

I had my A/C serviced about 10 months ago, with regass etc. Stopped working in July, so had it regassed again, hoping that the cheap option would prevail and it wasn't something more serious.

But this week it has started blowing warm air again, and a 'hissing / whistling' noise is again audible. So obviously something more serious.

I've been using the forum search and seen on a couple of threads that you were happy with the work he did for you. sadly, looks like i'll be needing some specialist help

can you point me in the right direction?

thanks!

[Chrisby]

Chris, where abouts are you in the country? I am in the midlands and got my new compressor fitted for under £400 with a local Auto A/C specialist. I have the same engine and same year car (though not the estate). It did however need a £100 fan too (which we think may have been the cause of the compressor failure).

Skoda quoted nearly £600 for just changing the compressor and a local Skoda/VW specialist wanted £900!!!!

Hi Steve,

I am in Nottingham, I got it fixed by a local "one man Band" air con specialist Moorgreen Car Repairs. I was impressed by his workshop and what he told me, he has changed the compressor and done all the tests for £577. The compressor is a reworked model not brand new however all has been working fine since it was done in May. This price as you know is well below Skoda so I'm quite happy but there is no doubt you got a good deal for £400.

Best Wishes,

Chris

[Steve_Birdie]

Hi Steve, excuse me jumping into the thread, but i am in coventry so fairly local.

I had my A/C serviced about 10 months ago, with regass etc. Stopped working in July, so had it regassed again, hoping that the cheap option would prevail and it wasn't something more serious.

But this week it has started blowing warm air again, and a 'hissing / whistling' noise is again audible. So obviously something more serious.

I've been using the forum search and seen on a couple of threads that you were happy with the work he did for you. sadly, looks like i'll be needing some specialist help

can you point me in the right direction?

thanks!

Have PM'd you!