Anyone know about aircon?

[John W]

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. 
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!

[tweed]

Sounds like a switch.

No, low gas would mean it wouldnt cool. It would still come on.

[itavaltalainen]

Thought it has pressure switch to prevent it from coming on if it's completely empty? Or was that only mk4+?

[John W]

Just reluctant to pay for a topup if it's the switch etc.......

[Wayne]

Could be a fuse but if in doubt get a specialist to check it, air con is not really diy.

[boneybradley]

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 

[thai-wronghorse]

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.

[John W]

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.

[John W]

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

[Wayne]

Has it got gas in it, might be worth getting a specialist to check first.