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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: John W on 16 February 2014, 17:32

Title: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 16 February 2014, 17:32
Guys
My Son's 8V GTI has aircon, which has worked perfectly since I bought the car 18 months ago. He's living away now and tells me that it's suddenly stopped working-the light on the switch no longer illuminates and it's not cooling.  :rolleyes:
He's coming home next weekend so I want to try to sort it. Obviously I will check the fuses, but what else can I test to find out what the fault is? Would low gas stop the light illuminating for instance?
All help greatly appreciated! :smiley:
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: tweed on 16 February 2014, 17:54
Sounds like a switch.

No, low gas would mean it wouldnt cool. It would still come on.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: itavaltalainen on 16 February 2014, 17:58
Thought it has pressure switch to prevent it from coming on if it's completely empty? Or was that only mk4+?
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 16 February 2014, 18:26
Just reluctant to pay for a topup if it's the switch etc....... :wink:
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: Wayne on 16 February 2014, 22:26
Could be a fuse but if in doubt get a specialist to check it, air con is not really diy.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: boneybradley on 16 February 2014, 22:42
Mine has no gas and the switch still lights, I would try a new switch and then get a leak test done (I can arrange them free in Yorkshire, We only charge if we refill (if the system is no good then no charge))

b.t.w I also have a fully working switch spare  :wink:
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 16 February 2014, 23:14
I had this with my 16v when i first bought it. Even though the switch illuminates it shouldn't actually work if the gas pressureis too low. Mine turned out to a hole in the condenser so I replaced that along with all the O-rings and drier before getting it recharged.

Ive recently broke this particular car so all A/C parts are actually available to buy now.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 17 February 2014, 06:45
Thanks chaps-so it seems that the initial problem is no power to the switch then. Will check the fuse first and test the wiring to the switch-I don't suppose anyone has a wiring diagram for the aircon system, or even just the switch do they?
Cheers.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 20 February 2014, 06:00
OK-he's checked the fuses which are all fine. I see that there are a couple(?) of relays too and the switch-any experience of what's likely to be at fault and which to test first?
Seems logical to take the switches out and test for 12V / Earth first. Question-how do I pop the switches out without damage?
Cheers
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: Wayne on 20 February 2014, 21:12
Has it got gas in it, might be worth getting a specialist to check first.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 20 February 2014, 21:19
The switch would illuminate even if there was no gas so in trying to investigate the electrics first
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: Wayne on 20 February 2014, 21:21
The switch would illuminate even if there was no gas so in trying to investigate the electrics first

Have you checked for power at the switch.
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 20 February 2014, 21:40
I'm going to tomorrow when he brings the car back, but I need to know how to take the switch out and which wires to test-I can't find a wiring diagram....
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: boneybradley on 20 February 2014, 22:43
I'm going to tomorrow when he brings the car back, but I need to know how to take the switch out and which wires to test-I can't find a wiring diagram....

try this site linked here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=54388.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=54388.0)

You may need to translate some of it as it's from Russia! (Luckily I speak and read Russian and find it invaluable)
Title: Re: Anyone know about aircon?
Post by: John W on 25 February 2014, 16:14
Thanks guys. He pulled the fuses to check them, put them back in, and it's working again! Must have been dirty contacts!