GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 13:22

Title: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 13:22
Since the weathers hit <3*C the aircon doesnt operate, the next day when the weather is above 5-6 it seems to work apsolutely fine. No fault codes via VCDS.

The compressor engages and stops perfectly during the "warmer" winter weather but the there is nothing when its cold.

I wonder whether it is the high/low pressure switch? I have unplugged it during the day and it makes no oporating difference, the aircon turns on and off no problem.

Or could it be another problem?

Cars a 1999 AGU GTI with digital climatic control.

Heres the switch i was thinking of (sits behind the charge pipe).
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/bbewekim/aircondiagram.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: rio_gti on 05 November 2012, 13:33
It's friggin freezing why you want the ac on!!  :grin:
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 13:35
As it works on HOT and COLD, only damn thing that clears the windows, ECON causes condensation so can't see.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: xxChrisxx on 05 November 2012, 13:50
As it works on HOT and COLD, only damn thing that clears the windows, ECON causes condensation so can't see.

Stick some silica gel (silica cat litter is cheap) in a pair of tights, and bang it under the seats.
If there is loads of moisture, I'd check the seals.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Rhyso on 05 November 2012, 13:52
Its designed not to work under 5 degrees C  :rolleyes:

So your system is working perfectly fine  :tongue:
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 14:25
Its designed not to work under 5 degrees C  :rolleyes:

So your system is working perfectly fine  :tongue:
Seriously :/ never had the issue before, it's the best way to clear the windows on frosty mornings...
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: GTi_James on 05 November 2012, 14:51
i find that my car is a B!atch for misty windows in the morning, the cat back thing works then does it? my only fear is the smell of catnip the rest of the winter, sealing all my doors this weekend as the back of my car is actually a lake, drivers side is fine though as i did that beginning of the year
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Metallix on 05 November 2012, 15:07
Its designed not to work under 5 degrees C  :rolleyes:

So your system is working perfectly fine  :tongue:
Seriously :/ never had the issue before, it's the best way to clear the windows on frosty mornings...

Best way to clear windows in a morning is (unfortunately) to own a Ford.
For years they have had heated windscreens and mirrors, the lot. 
Pretty awesome laughing at the folk on your street scraping the ice off their cars in a morning, while sat inside your car watching the ice melt on your screen & vapour coming off the mirrors

#winning   :laugh:

Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: harlemex on 05 November 2012, 17:32
my aircon doesnt demist either lately, so perhaps the 5 degrees thing is right?
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 18:21
Yeah my hope was the ford technology is out of patent so the mk7 would have a similar feature but it appears I was too hopeful.

Definitely strange... As soon as the temp dropped from 7 to 3.5 the A/C stopped working.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Wazzzer on 05 November 2012, 18:26
Is it just climate that does this?
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: harlemex on 05 November 2012, 18:31
Mine isnt climate control, just standard air con.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Wazzzer on 05 November 2012, 18:52
Just wondering how it senses it...
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: harlemex on 05 November 2012, 19:27
Thats a good point. That would imply that standard air con would not be temperature controlled?? Im confused now.  :huh:
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Rhyso on 05 November 2012, 20:07
Read the owners manual  :whistle:

As soon as the outside temp hits 5 degrees (that will be your outside temp sensor by the way) your aircon switches off. It was the same for my non-climate Golf and its the same for my climate equipped Audi

Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: bbewekim on 05 November 2012, 20:11
Google seems to support this theory, it should be standard throughout the VW range, as it is with many other motor companies. Its to protect the AC motor as it would risk freezing the coolant. This should apply to any kind of AC.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Ant1981 on 05 November 2012, 20:14
Its designed not to work under 5 degrees C  :rolleyes:

So your system is working perfectly fine  :tongue:
Seriously :/ never had the issue before, it's the best way to clear the windows on frosty mornings...

Best way to clear windows in a morning is (unfortunately) to own a Ford.
For years they have had heated windscreens and mirrors, the lot. 
Pretty awesome laughing at the folk on your street scraping the ice off their cars in a morning, while sat inside your car watching the ice melt on your screen & vapour coming off the mirrors

#winning   :laugh:

Most cars have heated mirrors, but I must say, the heated screen was awesome. I miss my Escort GTi, by far the best car I've ever owned. Much more inspiring and switched on than my Golf will ever be, even with a remap.
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: rio_gti on 05 November 2012, 20:16
So remove the plug to the outside temp sensor and it should work?? Bottom right grill on front bumper pull grill off and it's just there clipped to the bumper
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Rhyso on 05 November 2012, 20:20
So remove the plug to the outside temp sensor and it should work?? Bottom right grill on front bumper pull grill off and it's just there clipped to the bumper

Could well be a little more to it than that but crack on and report back  :smiley:
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Wazzzer on 05 November 2012, 20:23
Fair do's, just wondered how it worked the temperature out before I had an outside temp sensor lol
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: rio_gti on 05 November 2012, 20:24
So remove the plug to the outside temp sensor and it should work?? Bottom right grill on front bumper pull grill off and it's just there clipped to the bumper

Could well be a little more to it than that but crack on and report back  :smiley:

I ain't goin out to try it, bloody freezing out there!!!
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Rhyso on 05 November 2012, 20:25
Fair do's, just wondered how it worked the temperature out before I had an outside temp sensor lol

That I cant answer  :grin:

So remove the plug to the outside temp sensor and it should work?? Bottom right grill on front bumper pull grill off and it's just there clipped to the bumper

Could well be a little more to it than that but crack on and report back  :smiley:

I ain't goin out to try it, bloody freezing out there!!!

Man up!!  :tongue:
Title: Re: Aircon not liking cold weather
Post by: Wazzzer on 06 November 2012, 17:03
Tried this morning, compressor wouldn't kick in and that was at 2°C