Air Con Problems

[WAL4D]

I took my A3 1.8 to an independent AC specialist on the weekend to have it recharged. He tested the system and re charged it, that was the good news (no major issues).

Unfortunately, even though his diagnostics machine says everything is ok, the air doesn't come out cold!! He reckons it's because the fans (in front of the rad under the bonnet) don't kick in when you turn the ac on (apparently they should run non stop when the ac is on).

Anyone had a similar problem? If so do you know what was stopping the fans coming on?

Any replies appreciated.

Just as an aside, I noticed the paint bubbling by the roof gutters (see other threads on here). Called my local dealer expecting a debate but he just said "we've seen this before, bring it in and we should be able to get it resolved" going in next week.....

 

[J7USS]

Did you suss the air con out mate???

Think mine is doing same!!!

 

[simonwjones]

I think you'll find the compressor is knackered.

The drive pin in them for the clutch have a tendancy to shear. The compressor is what creates the cold air, not the fan on the intercoooler.

Remember when the compressors kicks in obn your fridge at home, same sort of thing.

NOT very cheap to replace though and there loads of variations



Simon

 

[nick-barnes07]

there are a couple braking on e bay if u need bits cheap

 

[KEF A3 20V T]

to check its the fan at fault do the following:

1. Start the car,
2. Press the "AUTO" button.
3. Turn the climate control to "LO".
4. The Air con symbol should be lit.
5. Look under the bonnet, the fan should be running under these conditions.
6. Turn the air con off, (press the snow flake looking button)
7. The fan should now go off.

If the fans do not run when the Snowflake symbol is illuminated then there is a problem with the low speed setting on the fan motor.

there is a common fault with the Mk4 golf where the resistors blow for the low speed setting, however someone has issued a DIY fix for this:

Linky: http://website.lineone.net/~alan.james.lorely/fan%20mod/Repair.html

hope this helps.

 

[WAL4D]

Thanks for all the pointers, I've still got the problem and was going to try Kef's thoughts this evening but my aircon garage reckon the fan is fine and that the problem is in fact the computer bit in the car ( the control panel). I've sent it to BBA Reman for fixing so hopefully that will solve the problem. If not then I'll try KEF's solution.

I'll let you all know.

 

[shineydave]

same problem with my mates 51 plate TDI GTI Golf, tested the fans as they wern't spinning but found to be ok. vag-com'd the car and found the control panel wasn't coded to the car (hence the reason the display flashed on start-up) recoded it correctly then scanned again and found the clutch wasn't engaging due to low pressure in the system. we knew the system was pressurised correctly as he'd originally assumed that low gas was the problem. finally found the pressure switch knacked.

 

[WAL4D]

Fans and pressure swith to be checked then......I'll let you know how I get on, thanks for the advice.

 

[Stan 24v]

Where are you based? Get it on vag-com

 

[WAL4D]

I'm based in central London. My Aircon garage have done lots of tests and have plugged a computer into a point at the back of the cubby hole below the ashtray, is this how you connect the car to VAG com?

 

[Aky]

There is a bloke on MKIV that sells a fan repair kit as the 2.8V6 is prone to going. Have a look at the following link - not sure whether it is similar to what he is suggesting

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/905449.aspx