Air conditioning does not work

[beni17]

I have a problem with my Golf. It is US Import GTI 8V -94. The air conditioning stopped working. I suspected that it may be blown fuse or relay, but I can't locate those. Does anybody know where I could find those?

When I push the A/C button the light turns on and the fan starts. The compressor won't start and there is no power coming to it, i have used voltage indicator to measure it. So it might be fuse or relay. The European version of service manual says that air condition fuse is located somewhere above the relay plate but i can't locate it. I have also the US version manual but it doesn't have any kind of sense because there are only 17 fuses in that book and there are 22 in my fuse plate.

Does anybody have experience with these US versions? I have already tried to contact local VW service shops but they say that these mk3 Golfs are very rare with A/C so they can't help. They also said that these cars are kind of "old school" so those mechanics who have worked with these are no longer available in their shops.  

And i'm sorry about my bad english, I'm from Finland so it is not perfect

[Len]

Well the fuses and relays on a UK car are in front of your right knee when in drivers seat!
So logic would say its the reverse of that!

[Wayne]

Is the system gassed, no gas will stop the compressor working.

[Len]

No checked this on a Golf but my Pug compressor still worked with no gas!

[Wayne]

No checked this on a Golf but my Pug compressor still worked with no gas!

Yep as the pressure switch cuts the feed to the compressor to save it from damage.

It is the norm these days, older set ups did not have it.

[beni17]

Yes, i have located those "basic" relays and fuses, but the manual says that some fuses, like ABS and air conditioning, are located above the relay plate.

And the system is filled up with the gas one month ago. I had this job done in repair shop so it can't be that.

This seems to be some kind of mystery...

[Wayne]

Yes, i have located those "basic" relays and fuses, but the manual says that some fuses, like ABS and air conditioning, are located above the relay plate.

And the system is filled up with the gas one month ago. I had this job done in repair shop so it can't be that.

This seems to be some kind of mystery...

Has it still got gas in it, could have leaked out.

[rubjonny]

as above there are various sensors in place to protect the a/c system from damage. there is a coolant temperature sensor on the side of the head, plus a 4 pin pressure switch on the pipework somewhere.

there are 2 fuses for the a/c system, one for the relay which is also for the rad fan. if the rad fan comes on that fuse is ok. the 2nd fuse is #6 which should be a 20a, so check that next. as said its on the driver side, which on a US car will be the left side of the car. the cover is underneath the dash and access to fusebox is poor due to the knee bar in front of it.

if fuse is ok next bridge the a/c pressure switch pins 1 & 2, which have yellow and blue/white wires according to my diagram. then try the a/c if it switches on you know the pressure is low or the switch is faulty.

[beni17]

Ok, I finally got the courage and time to continue my project. The fuses are both ok and the fan comes on.

I bridged those two pins and voila! The system started. After that I headed to the local Vw service and bought new switch. It was quite expensive but I thought that it is worth the price because temparature has been over 25 C for a long time in Finland.

But when I tried the a/c with new switch it doesn't still work. Is the problem with the low pressure or that the coolant liquid or something like that (i dont's know what it is called) has leaked. I have filled the system up already once in this summer, about two months ago and it worked very well after that.

Thank you for the old advices very much! But I still need some help with my problem. Can anyone help?   

[Wayne]

Well if it has lost gas then it will need leak testing and topping up.