My handheld vagcom is MIA, so am trying to find alternative ways to find out what's going on....would appreciate any insight from anyone who has experienced the same.

Fan and aircon both work on 1 and 2, on 3 it only comes on if I pull the knob and no action on 4. Aircon is colder, but not that much more than ambient. Strangely, it's colder when recirc is off.

Is it a problem with the climate control panel? One of the resistors? The flap actuator motor out of sync?

Can't be the resistor as that only controls speeds 1, 2 & 3. When that packs up, only fan speed 4 works, and none of the others. Your issue sounds different.

Thanks for that....one possibility ruled out then.

double post...sorry

Edited 2 April, 201214 yr by fsa

Well, a VAG specialist (where I've booked in for cambelt change) seems to think it is the resistor. I queried exactly what you said, Jason, that in that case it's only 4 that's supposed to come on whereas in mine it's only 1 and 2 which come on (because 4 has a direct connection whereas 1,2 and 3 are gradually stepped down with resistors). They said it could be a 'partial resistor failure'.

Does this sound plausible? If so, I could contemplate doing the repair myself following the guide on here to save on the hour's labour costs...or just let them sort it out and be happy that I'll be saving money with future solo oil/filter/fluid changes?

so their response was "it's not fully broken, it just a bit broken" - excellent! must remember that one!

the guide on here is great and changing the resistor yourself is easy if you have relatively small hands.

I changed mine along with the entire control panel in about an hour when mine stopped working on number 1 - made no difference though and i still have 2+ or nothing! :(

It's the switch or the wiring/connector to the resistor. It can't be the resistor, as position 4 is direct to positive - the resistor isn't in circuit.

Pasty: you changed your resistor AND control panel and still nothing?? That's a pain!

RWBaldwin: thanks, that's what I thought after Jason's comments.

Sorry to jump in - mine only works on 4 - so do I need a new resistor - where do I get one from - can I get one mail order - can anyone point me to a link

^^

http://www.blower-mo...r-resistor.html

Try dealers....read somewhere here that it's circa £50.

Heres one on ebay....fitting instructions as above.

http://www.ebay.co.u...3-/150697842833

Thanks

Credit to the respective geniuses who posted the guide. I'm undecided if I should give that a go even though the symptoms aren't of a faulty resistor. Is it possible to use an ohmeter to check the resistor?

For completeness: the resistor is fine, the motor flaps were out of sync (blows more strongly now that it's been resynced). Most likely problem is the control panel....need to source one from scrappers as dealer prices are quite high apparently.

Okay, had some free time today. Good and bad news.

+: got a heater control panel off the bay for £20

+: removed the panel not by ap0gee's elegant method, but by taking the fascia off, two screws underneath, releasing corner tabs and pushing it in at an angle to turn it perpendicular to the slot. Then took out a tiny screwdriver to release the plugs. 15 min.

+: it's working on all 4 speed settings Nice cold air....mmmm

-: the purple bendy metal shaft thing that controls which vents are open came off the other end and I cant find where it goes :( I haven't refitted the panel completely....so if someone can give me a heads up on which direction to point the torch and look, I'd be much obliged!

At least the forward facing vents were open when I removed the panel.

On a side note, I managed to get my HU in flush, finally. I tucked the bigger wires back and up with the under-drawer removed and this time the HU was wedged in somehow so I could take my hand out and shove the drawer in underneath. I think it was just luck this time around as all the times I've done it before, the HU would drop. Maybe a small drop of glue on the top of the HU cage next time...