Aircon problem, long saga and perhaps stuck on. Help please.

[Wooody]

Car (59 plate VRS with Climatronic) bought a couple of months ago from independent garage.

Bought on one of the coldest days of the year, did query whether aircon working at time. Dealer said yes, I wasn't sure.

Weather gets hotter, obvious aircon not working. Dealer arranged for regas. Very low on gas before gas, regased but made no difference.

I take to a specialist, he pressure tests system: no leaks. Says likely compressor, also condensor delaminating ('fins' disintegrating to touch). But he declined to do work as through warranty company.

So back to dealer, he arranges for new compressor to be fitted at local garage, then to another garage for regas. Got it back Tuesday, again I'm not convinced it's working: air feels cold but not 'ice cold' and noticeable difference when aircon button on or off.

Compared to my other car (aircon def not working on that one!) and air from the Skoda definiteley colder.

So I'm thinking that the aircon is stuck constantly on. Anyone who knows the system know if this is possible / common / or easy tests /fixes.

Also not cooling as well as it might: new condensor/drier?

Thanks for any help in advance!

[Rob_Quads]

Mines not ice cold but it does cool the car down within a few minutes.

[trundlenut]

Did they replace the drier as well as the compressor?

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[Wooody]

Drier was not replaced. I did check the old compressor and no sign of any debris or metal particles that might indicate it had seized and contaminated system.

[trundlenut]

There is a valve which could be faulty. If the compressor was broken then the drier should also be replaced. It would worth getting the car scanned with VCDS and loom at the various measuring blocks to see how the system is performing as well as for fault codes.

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[rwbaldwin]

Make sure Econ is off, turn the fans to max and then turn the temperature to the minimum. What is the vent temperature? Is it ice cold(ish) now?

The compressor is designed to run all the time. The 'cooling volume' is adjusted so that as the actual temperature is nearing the set temperature, the 'cooling capacity' is reduced.

With the temperature still at minimum, set Econ to on, wait a few minutes and then measure the vent temperature. Set the temperature to just above the measured value, wait a few minutes and then turn Econ off again. Does the airflow get colder?

[Wooody]

Thanks for replies. No Econ button on my fascia though.

[Wooody]

Thanks for replies will have another play. No Econ button on my fascia though.

[Gregie]

I just had my high pressure switch and a few o-rings replaced as my air con wasn't cooling the same. I also had my compressor replaced few months back.

Check the high pressure switch. £80 fix from Skoda. Now air con is so cold I can't have it on "LO"

[Wooody]

Gregie: how did you diagnose that the high pressure switch needed changing?

Make sure Econ is off, turn the fans to max and then turn the temperature to the minimum. What is the vent temperature? Is it ice cold(ish) now?

Instead of Econ to off, I'm turning my AC button ON. Air is cold: not Ice-cold

The compressor is designed to run all the time. The 'cooling volume' is adjusted so that as the actual temperature is nearing the set temperature, the 'cooling capacity' is reduced.

With the temperature still at minimum, set Econ to on, wait a few minutes and then measure the vent temperature.

Air still 'cold'.

Set the temperature to just above the measured value, wait a few minutes and then turn Econ off again. Does the airflow get colder?

No: temp stays same

Edited 17 May, 2013 by davew255

[rwbaldwin]

From the results of your tests, it seems that the N280 compressor regulator valve (changes the stroke and hence 'cooling capacity') is not working. So yes, it seems that the 'cooling capacity' is stuck on.

I assume the whole compressor was changed and this includes the N280 valve.

The first thing I would check is the wiring to the N280 valve

[Wooody]

From the results of your tests, it seems that the N280 compressor regulator valve (changes the stroke and hence 'cooling capacity') is not working. So yes, it seems that the 'cooling capacity' is stuck on.

I assume the whole compressor was changed and this includes the N280 valve.

The first thing I would check is the wiring to the N280 valve

Yes whole compressor was changed. I will check with fitting garage regarding the valve wiring. Is a nightmare as I'm dealing with 3 different garages so no one taking full responsibility.

[Gregie]

It was Skoda that did a series of tests and traced the fault back to the switch. I really have no idea what they did sorry.

It may worth having them check it.

[petefowler]

If it's got a modine condenser , they suffer from corrosion and leak the gasses , there is a modified one now to stop it

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