I've had my vRS for a couple of weeks now. A few initial teething issues, mainly finding a comfortable seating position I am now very happy with it. However now I have uncovered a major issue, the aircon doesn't seem to be working. I've only noticed in this in the recent hot weather. In the words of Jeremy Clarkson "it's as effective as being coughed on by a mouse"

In all seriousness though I've done a little investigating. The temperature dial is as far counter clockwise as it will go -

- Although I haven't measured the air temperature coming out of the vents, there appears to be no difference to touch regardless of whether the AC button is ON or OFF.

- When the AC button is switched ON I hear no audible change in the engine idle speed or engine loading. Does this mean the compressor is knackered?

I've thought about taking it to $hit fit to get the aircon regassed. They have a guarantee that you don't pay anything for the regassing if they can't lower the vent temperature by 10%. Seems too good to be true, but 10% of 20degC is only 2degC, and I bet they will argue a small change of 2degC within the accuracy of their thermometers!! To cut a long story short I'd rather not waste my money if the issue is something a lot more serious.

Advice appreciated,

Cheers

On my Polo, the rad fans spin in when I put it into 'Auto' mode, which turns the A/C on, can definatly hear them doing something when stationary. On my Fabia, that never happened, and the A/C didn't work.

I have exactly the same problem. Looking at the service history for my vRS there is no record of the air con having ever been serviced, something which I usually have done every year to 18 months. I hoping that a re-gas and service will solve the problem. I will be getting someone to look at it this afternoon. I'll keep you posted.

On my Polo, the rad fans spin in when I put it into 'Auto' mode, which turns the A/C on, can definatly hear them doing something when stationary. On my Fabia, that never happened, and the A/C didn't work.

It's the same with my Polo the fans seem to go on and off all the time.

Is there no change in temperature whatsoever when the AC is on ? not even a faint bit of cold air ?

If it does start to get slightly cold then it will probably just need a re-gas and if it doesn't work then you don't have to pay

My AC could do with a re-gas as although it works it takes a few mins to get cold and the recirculation button is still nackered

Is there no change in temperature whatsoever when the AC is on ? not even a faint bit of cold air ?

If it does start to get slightly cold then it will probably just need a re-gas and if it doesn't work then you don't have to pay

My AC could do with a re-gas as although it works it takes a few mins to get cold and the recirculation button is still nackered

Certainly nothing I can feel with my hands - I'm aware my hands are no substitute for a digital thermometer! You think Kwik Fit re-gas is worth a try? My real concern is that there is no change in sound from the engine when the AC is switched on. For all other cars I've owned in the past the engine idle speed has momentarily changed when the AC is switched on, indicating increased load on the aux belt drive. Maybe the Fabia vRS is different?

I've noticed that there is no change in engine idle speed when I switch the A/C on in my VRS, unlike other cars I've owned. It is very efficient and seems to be cooling properly.

Hopefully yours just needs a recharge.

I believe the compressor is always spinning in the Fabia from what I've read before - which might explain why the load doesn't seem to change? Or. . .I've completely mis-understood the article where I read that!

I believe the compressor is always spinning in the Fabia from what I've read before - which might explain why the load doesn't seem to change?

From what I've read, it's un-clutched

The load definitely changes on my 1.2 Fabia. It normally idles at about 700rpm and 1000rpm when the AC is on. Every car I have ever used the A/C on has always caused an increase in idle speed. If the idle speed does not increase I would suggest getting the gas topped up, as often the A/C won't run if there isn't enough gas in the system. A leak test is performed when you get the gas topped up, so you will know whether or not the re-charge has been a success. HTH?

I have never noticed any difference in idle with my vrs when the AC is switched on or the usual click that the pump has made in previous cars.

There is a cabin temp sensor that can go loopy and send the temperature haywire but if the temp changes from hot to cold with no problems then it won't be that.

I'd have it re-gassed and go from there, how old is the car ?

I have never noticed any difference in idle with my vrs when the AC is switched on or the usual click that the pump has made in previous cars.

There is a cabin temp sensor that can go loopy and send the temperature haywire but if the temp changes from hot to cold with no problems then it won't be that.

I'd have it re-gassed and go from there, how old is the car ?

Thanks for the advice. It's a 56 plate so relatively young. I'll get some quotes for re-gassing. Kwik Fit in Northampton want £49 for leak test and gas replacement although I'd rather not take it to Kwik Fit out of principle. You can get those DIY cans of refrigerant but I not sure how good they are.

I have exactly the same problem. Looking at the service history for my vRS there is no record of the air con having ever been serviced, something which I usually have done every year to 18 months. I hoping that a re-gas and service will solve the problem. I will be getting someone to look at it this afternoon. I'll keep you posted.

Just had the air con re-gassed and it still doesn't work :( I've been told that it may be either the compressor or that no power is reaching the fans. Back in on Wednesday for further invesigation.

Edited 11 April, 201115 yr by vr6 south

Thanks for the advice. It's a 56 plate so relatively young. I'll get some quotes for re-gassing. Kwik Fit in Northampton want £49 for leak test and gas replacement although I'd rather not take it to Kwik Fit out of principle. You can get those DIY cans of refrigerant but I not sure how good they are.

Mine is an 06 plate and I don't think (not in my ownership) it has had a AC service, there are no receipts to say it's been done anyways and as I said mine takes a few mins to get working so could do with being serviced.

£49 is a pretty good price but I've heard a few stories with kwik fit doing AC work and I wouldn't take my car to them.

With it being nearly summer alot more garages will be advertising AC servicing/re-gassing so you could get it even cheaper than what kwik fit are advertising.

I paid 60 quid to get the aircon done by a dealer (on top of a service) - well worth it for the weekend there - my previous car didn't have aircon and that was the last car I'll buy without it (an '05 Lupo GTi - I bought it when it was three months old and it didn't have aircon, a CD player, a boot light or even a glovebox - the list price new was in the region of £14k so it's not surprising VW only shifted 995 in the UK - great little cars all the same ).

First thing i would do is get the car checked for any fault codes and go from there, if gas is low it will tell you from the sensor anyway.

Most cars will not get the compressor working clutched or unclutched if the gas amount is too low. It has to be at a certain pressure within the a/c system to wake up the sensors which in turned power the compressor by waking up the relay( that's how Saabs work as I worked their for 7 years as a technician!) so I would certain have it re gased and make sure hey put uv dye in the system so all leaks can be seen with a fluorescent light and goggles.

Try a local garage who will more than likely be air con trained and have all the necessary equipment, I just dislike quick fit as their reputation is terrible from another garages point of view! It could be a fuse, poor seals, a damaged condenser seeing as it is hit by stones/debris every time it gets on the motor way. We had a large number cracked after the cold weather. So don't let someone tell you it's a compressor which will be silly money!

Olly

Most cars will not get the compressor working clutched or unclutched if the gas amount is too low. It has to be at a certain pressure within the a/c system to wake up the sensors which in turned power the compressor by waking up the relay( that's how Saabs work as I worked their for 7 years as a technician!) so I would certain have it re gased and make sure hey put uv dye in the system so all leaks can be seen with a fluorescent light and goggles.

Try a local garage who will more than likely be air con trained and have all the necessary equipment, I just dislike quick fit as their reputation is terrible from another garages point of view! It could be a fuse, poor seals, a damaged condenser seeing as it is hit by stones/debris every time it gets on the motor way. We had a large number cracked after the cold weather. So don't let someone tell you it's a compressor which will be silly money!

Olly

For what it's worth - VW charge £30 (I think) for a re-gas. £70 for a service too IIRC.

I had a similar problem when the a/c was on it only felt like a mouse cough. however my ac comp was working

I turned out the pollen filter was clogged with crap as previous owner not changed it for donkies,

when replaced it was like an arctic gale

Just got a VAG-COM scan courtesy of BIG Nick -

Sunday,17,April,2011,17:18:33:41027

VCDS Version: Release 10.6.3 (x64)

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 6Q0-820-045.lbl

Control Module Part Number: 6Y0 820 045

Component and/or Version: Klimaanlage X0840

Software Coding:

Work Shop Code:

VCID: F2EF22669429

1 Fault Found:

00819 - High Pressure Sensor (G65)

07-00 - Signal too Low

Looks like the system is completely out of gas. According to the diagnostics the gas pressure reading was zero and the compressor was not activated the A/C button was pressed. So hopefully a re-gas is all that is required.