Hi guys, I noticed maybe 12 months ago that my air conditioning isn't working any more, the button lights up, but there's no relay click, no other sound, and no slight slowing of the tickover as there was when it was operating properly.

 

1, if it just needed a re-gas, would it still be 'making all the right noises' but just not be cold ?

 

2, is there any other conclusion we can draw from the fact there's no actual action happening, other than the light on the button comes on ?

 

3, if the fuse was out (had accidentally been removed) would the button still light up ?

 

 

 

many thanks

 

Paul

It is possible although unlikely that it would light up without a fuse as the backlight might take a separate wiring loom. I doubt this though! it IS always worth checking the fuse(S) First, though, even to the point of swapping them for new ones as I have had and heard many times, fuses that LOOK intact but just don't work! Do you have climatic or climatronic a/c? Climatic is normal a/c, climatronic is climate controlled, digital a/c. This will have digital display, with multi speed settings on the fan, normal will have about four fan speed settings. Either way, does the fan run or, should I say, blower motor? (internal fan, not rad fan). In some instances, the system shuts off to protect its self so if it is out of gas completely or if the fan goes, it may shut down. Usually, though, you might expect sounds and even a slight operation, then shut down. 

 

I'm told that there is no clutch mechanism on the ac units in these cars. The compressor is always running, so you won't hear a dip in rpm when you push the ac button. I had similar issue last month. A re-gas sorted it out just fine. Well worth the 39 quid it cost. My advice, take it for a re-gas. At the very least if there's something else wrong, they will at least be able to diagnose it for you.

Thats a great re-gas price, especially if it was the full "Drain, pressure test, re-fill" Service! Was it a national place or local?

Check the wiring from the solenoid valve on the compressor. Not unheard of for wires to break at an inline plug/socket connection at a bracket on the front of the gearbox; brownish connector pair, I think.

5 hours ago, 67Mark said:

I'm told that there is no clutch mechanism on the ac units in these cars. The compressor is always running, so you won't hear a dip in rpm when you push the ac button. I had similar issue last month. A re-gas sorted it out just fine. Well worth the 39 quid it cost. My advice, take it for a re-gas. At the very least if there's something else wrong, they will at least be able to diagnose it for you.

Just a slight correction there, yes you are right that there is no clutch, but demanding work out of a correctly gassed up clutch less system will still cause the revs to dip momentarily as the compressor starts doing work.

There's a nice youtube video about diagnosing, and mending an A/C problem on these cars (OK, a Polo but same system I believe). Towards the end he finds the problem, which is a broken wire as I described earlier.  The whole vid is quite interesting, if a little long, so this link takes you to the relevant section:

 

8 hours ago, mrgf said:

Thats a great re-gas price, especially if it was the full "Drain, pressure test, re-fill" Service! Was it a national place or local?

Local garage.

Search for Groupon air con recharge- it's at ATS if there's on near you. £29.99 I believe.

Thanks wonky... Not entirely sure if I trust either them or K-F to do it, if i'm honest. The price seems good and K-F often do a deal where if its not 10% cooler, you don't pay but they could make it worse-I can do that all by myself! LOL.