aircon any pointers please

[markA4tdi]

ok apologies if this being has been covered, ive looked through various aircon issues and read the aircon/climate write up but here goes....
mine is a 02 tdi , the econ button illuminates when pressed and goes out when pressed again, so assuming all well there, ive had it vag com but no faults, ive had it regassed (45 quid) but still not cold.. i took it back to the aircon place (an independant) i watched him do the regas by the way, hesaid audi units are pretty good aircon units, and said there were no leaks, the regassing bit was successful(he reckoned he could feel the refridgerant through the vents??? however i know nothing about this so took his word for it. he said hes done his bit but cant check for anything else.....so what to check for now please?? opening the bonnet and looking down at the fans ive noticed there are 2 the one on the passenger side shall we say is on all the time when you start the engine, the leftone ive never seen on..is this connected to the aircon unit?? it does turn freely by hand, i have no visual leaks so am at a loss what to look for next and dont want to throw money away unnesscessarily...the dip in engine revs or slight engine note is minimal but i read on here that isnt a conclusive test anyway...there may be a very slight and i mean alsmost unnoticable change in air temp when i press the econ on and off its so slight i wonder if there is any change at all so any pointers please, the weathers warming up a bit now so aircon would be nice

 

[simon.m]

hi mark4tdi im having problems with my aircon and im thinking your compressor is not kicking in.
if you rase the front of your car and start it up then get a small mirrow and very cerfuly put it up infront of the comperssor
with aircon on you should see where the belt is spining and in the center that should be turning too if not then its the cluch gone
in the compressor like mine the belt turns but not the center bit. but please watch when you do this dont need to catch your hand on the belt
hope this helps.

 

[markA4tdi]

Thanks simon, i,l have a check of this at the weekend, the location of where i should look for the compressor is where please roughly, looking from the front is it more central, left or right, cheers mark

 

[simon.m]

its at the bottom left hand side mate cant miss it its right at the front and is very close to the bodywork so take care when putting the mirrow up there

 

[andy tdi130]

Hi, had mine refilled at kiwkfit today,( last time i had it done was over 2 years ago ) it was almost empty but it sounds like i have the same problem with the compressor not kicking in, least they didnt charge me for filling it up.
Any idea how much a compressor would be?????

 

[AudiJohn]

Can i ask how much kwikfit charged you for re-gassing as i'm thinking of getting mine done, i could have the same issue but can't be sure until i get the gas checked.

Thanks

 

[andy tdi130]

If it works they charge £49, tock an hour, mine doesnt work still so no charge and its full now of gas.
Will check the fuse in the morning that would be a result if it was just that!!

 

[AudiJohn]

Thanks, i'll give this a try. I was going to buy a can from halfrauds and try that but if it was that good we'd all be doing it.

 

[simon.m]

id not bother with the halfords can mate have one and the are crap save your cash and pay some one to do it i no lol.
andytdi iv seen them on ebay from 100 up mate i think for new about 200 of the top of my head wich is why iv not got one yet

 

[Garfie]

In response to the OP's query, when the aircon is on and the engine is running BOTH fans should be spinning.

 

[simon.m]

hmmmm thats what i thought Garfie but i asked do the fans come on for aircon and many on here said they dont come on.
go figger lol

 

[markA4tdi]

In response to the OP's query, when the aircon is on and the engine is running BOTH fans should be spinning.

thanks for confirming this for me, are both the fans on the same fuse? do you know what number fuse it is please so i can check? any quick pointers in what else to check if the fuse is ok? i was going to check the clutch part untill i realised i have to take off all the underside trays , so that bit can wait until i change the oil etc in its yearly service in oct. thanks again

 

[Garfie]

The fan on the right is the engine cooling fan and the one on the left is the fan for the air con condenser. It definitely comes on with the aircon on as it is required to draw air through the condenser.

There is also an output test for the fan and fan relay that can be run with vagcom.

 

[chancer]

According to the manual there is no clutch on the Audi compressor. Looking at mine this weekend the pulley is solid no separate centre section. My Aux fan doesn't run and I am currently checking the regulator that controls the fan. Update us as to what you find with yours.
Do any fault codes show? Mine only throws up a fault for the motor flap position sensor (G113)

 

[Steve_N]

According to the manual there is no clutch on the Audi compressor. Looking at mine this weekend the pulley is solid no separate centre section.

The aircon compressor does have a clutch, this went on mine last year.
With climate control the aircon is constantly on and off to regulate the temp that is selected, so it requires a clutch to disengage the aux belt pulley from the compressor.

 

[chancer]

The aircon compressor does have a clutch, this went on mine last year.
With climate control the aircon is constantly on and off to regulate the temp that is selected, so it requires a clutch to disengage the aux belt pulley from the compressor.

Is there perhaps different types of compressor for different years? It is strange because the manual states

As no clutch is fitted to the air conditioning compressor (the compressor operates continuously), do not operate the engine if it is known to be short of refrigerant, as this will damage the compressor

The above is word for word but perhaps the manual got it wrong.
Do you have the part number for the clutch on it's own as the compressor is 300 quid
Edit: Also according to what I was just reading through the description of operation the Climate temperature is controlled by a series motor driven flaps blending refrigerated air with normal air, not by switching the compressor on and off all the time. Aircon seems to be a nightmare when it goes wrong. The local "specialists" are nothing more than system refillers and leak detection experts with no real knowledge of the individual cars. I rang many and this was all they offered.

 

[simon.m]

i think there is 2 or 3 compressors audi used mine is a 2002 52 plate tdi and it has a cluch or so im told

 

[markA4tdi]

ive given up with mine...seems too complicated...its never that hot in the north east anyway lol

 

[Steve_N]

Is there perhaps different types of compressor for different years?

Do you have the part number for the clutch on it's own as the compressor is 300 quid

Knowing Audi, they could well use different parts on different years, mine is a 2004 on a 54 plate.

I was told that the clutch is a non servicable part on its own, so i had to have a new pump fitted.