Hi, my first post and like many first posts I need help please. Vehicle is a Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi 2001 it is own by an elderly couple and I have been trying to sort their A/C with as little impact to their pension as possible. The A/C system is not the climate control type, it has three round knobs the two outers control heat and air direction, the middle one is smaller and controls fan speed, below this one is a simple AC button (lights up yellow) and a 'recirc' button, so nothing mega electronic as far as I know?

Asfar as they recall the A/C worked fine untill about 18 months ago and became less effective untill it packed up altogether. The compressor would not operate and none of the engine fans came on. I had the system drained/refilled and the compressor still failed to engage, I run a live feed to the compressor and the clutch engaged and the compressor started working fine, the A/C was reasonably cold but keep in mind the twin electric fans were not working, I jumped the fan switch so the fans remained on and this along with my live feed to the compressor had the A/C working a treat, freezing cold from all the vents. Of course none of this would happen from the dashboard, so having disconnected my 'bypass' wires I checked the following, A/C switch operates and lights up, the blower fan works on all speeds whether A/C selected or not, I checked the pressure switch near the bulkhead (is there another) and there was no voltage at any of the three terminals (should there be?) but this is not unusual as some switches simply connect an earth or even direct to each other right? So I jumped each of the terminals to earth and no change the compressor/cooling fans did not engage, I tried jumping the terminals to each other and no change. I checked the fuses on top of the battery and also the 10 amp fuse in the fuse box at the side of the dashboard (there is power at the fuses)and all are good. Under the dash drivers side there is few relays but I am unsure if any of these are to do with the A/C? What I did find was above the row of relays there was a lonely 15 amp fuse plugged into a green socket, unsure if it is related so I removed it and checked it but it was also good.

I removed the switch panel and tried checking the A/C switch and I did get a reading on the DMM but of a lowly 4/5 volts, I also did not think that unusual as plenty of electronic 'stuff' works of low voltage but I can confirm the switch did actually do something. So I have looked on the net for a diagram with no luck, now I would have thought there would be a relay or perhaps there is but I am missing it or what I do not know, I am sorry for such a long post but wanted to offer as much info as possible in one go, hopefully someone will recognise the problem and offer advice? I am pretty savvy round these things but at the moment I cannot find the problem, I am sure there must be a relay or controller somewhere? I will try next week when I have some spare time and hopefully in the meantime someone will come up with an idea?

many thanks in advance

Dave

Edited 6 October, 201114 yr by Dave 2000

Hi dave welcome to Briskoda, i would suggest posting this in the Mark 1 Octavia section, i am certain you will get plenty of help and advice there.

Hi and welcome aboard.