So it looks like my compressor is on the way out. I’ve only had the car 3 weeks so I’m unsure on history; but pressing the aircon button makes no difference.

 

There is a hissing noise, and you don’t feel the compressor clutch kick in or the revs drop, at all.

 

I’ve gone to Halfrauds about to buy a regas kit, and the bloke who checked it reckons it’s the compressor

 

Would anyone else here be in agreement or could it be anything? I’m unsure of what exact part number to buy as it seems there’s a few variants for the 1.9tdi

No clutch. Variable displacement design.

Know anyone with VCDS?

Also I thought that "regas kits" were illegal?

2 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Also I thought that "regas kits" were illegal?

I think its just the disposal of them in household waste that's illegal because of the refrigerant. Although KwikFit will do it for half the price of a kit so its probably better going there

 

9 minutes ago, Wino said:

No clutch. Variable displacement design.

Know anyone with VCDS?

I've got one Time to check, Ill post back if there's anything

18 hours ago, Wino said:

No clutch. Variable displacement design.

Know anyone with VCDS?

No errors on the VCDS scan.... 😞 

Auto scan here: https://pastebin.com/raw/yXpEG6h1

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by sakta

OK, given that your scan is showing the very common DFM wire fault, it will be well worth your while having a little look under the car in the vicinity of the front of the gearbox.  There's a bracket there that holds a bunch of connectors, including the alternator signal connections and the A/C solenoid valve connection.  Super-common for wire breakages to occur in this area. 

Some photos of where to look. This is actually my petrol-engine 9N Polo, but I think other than the undertray maybe being different, the location of the connectors will be very similar.

 

With luck you'll find broken wire(s) on both alternator and A/C connectors and fix two birds with one stone.

 

8 hours ago, Wino said:

OK, given that your scan is showing the very common DFM wire fault, it will be well worth your while having a little look under the car in the vicinity of the front of the gearbox.  There's a bracket there that holds a bunch of connectors, including the alternator signal connections and the A/C solenoid valve connection.  Super-common for wire breakages to occur in this area. 

Some photos of where to look. This is actually my petrol-engine 9N Polo, but I think other than the undertray maybe being different, the location of the connectors will be very similar.

 

With luck you'll find broken wire(s) on both alternator and A/C connectors and fix two birds with one stone.

 

As you guessed.... now going to have to figure out how to solder the bloody thing 

Cut the plug out and join the wire back up with a small extension. 

20 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

Cut the plug out and join the wire back up with a small extension. 

Done, battery light is on now on ignition as normal. The other connector looks intact (brown one) but aircon still not working. Hissing and don’t see any difference in revs 

What’s the compressor shut off code?

14 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

What’s the compressor shut off code?

No codes relating to the cooling/heating yet.... 

 

a video of it helps, so you can hear the sound https://youtu.be/-3ICxOx708w

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by sakta

5 minutes ago, sakta said:

No codes relating to the cooling/heating yet.... 

 

Not fault codes. In live data there is a shut off code which identifies the operational state of the compressor. 

9 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

 

Not fault codes. In live data there is a shut off code which identifies the operational state of the compressor. 

On ignition on, its at 5. After engine is on, it goes to 12 for 5 sec. Then the hissing starts, and it goes to 0

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by sakta

So 0 is all ok from memory. Compressor is not shut down for any particular reason. Usually if you have code 0 and it’s not working it’s the compressor. 

11 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

So 0 is all ok from memory. Compressor is not shut down for any particular reason. Usually if you have code 0 and it’s not working it’s the compressor. 

Could it be the gas? Halfords guy said it was fine, it stays in the green, but when revving, it is in-between the green and red.

 

Just wondering as I know they're not the most technical people, and to be honest neither am I. The refrigerant settles at 7.5bar, and starts out at 8.5bar

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by sakta

The only way to know is to recover the system down and weigh what comes out. 

Yes it can still be low on gas. What refrigerant pressure do you have with the engine off and what is the ambient temperature?

 

It doesn't tell you that you have the correct charge but you can tell if its low.

 

At 30-35C you should have between 7-8 Bar, maybe a bit more if the engine has been running. If you have around 4 bar like I had a couple of weeks ago on my sisters golf you will not get cold air but you didn't get any low pressure codes at all.

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by SuperbTWM

Ambient is 27c and pressure is 5bar with engine off. And 7.5-8bar with engine on. Halfords is closed now anyway but I suppose I best listen to Tech1e and get that compressor

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by sakta

11 minutes ago, sakta said:

Ambient is 27c and pressure is 5bar with engine off. And 7.5-8bar with engine on. Halfords is closed now anyway but I suppose I best listen to Tech1e and get that compressor

 

A bit foolish to jump in and change the compressor before knowing its faulty. The fact that you raised pressure proves the compressor is doing something.

 

my personal opinion is that 5 Bar is low at 27C so my first port of call would be to take the car to anywhere that has a proper machine to extract whatever refrigerant is in the system and refill with the correct amount. Some places won't charge you unless they 'fix' it anyway so shop around.

 

Don't use the parts cannon, its not good for your wallet

Edited 24 July, 20196 yr by SuperbTWM

@sakta - As others, I'd recommend getting a recharge from a competent service. You'll find people who can do them in Yellow Pages, from memory the listing you want is Automotive Air Conditioning, and you can get people who'll call at your home or work.

Both wires on the brown plug need doing,one had fell off on mine and the other looked good, but it was a green blob inside.I did them both and bingo, cold air.Plus I had no faults indicated at all.