Air con

[gtitdi]

Since we had a bit of warm weather yesterday I tried out the air con on the Golf

- it didn't work!!

I just had a full air con service last week at VW (because I thought it wasn't cold enough). It seemed better after that, but I couldn't tell until it got warm outside!

After a bit of investigation I don't think the compressor is coming on when I press 'AUTO'. The outer wheel spins (the one that's connected to the belt), but the inside part never turns - does this mean the clutch is not engaging?

However, the fan on the radiator does come on when 'AUTO' is pressed, so I assume the climatronic unit is OK.

What could cause this? Or is it new compressor time??

Thanks

[J5H VW]

I think that "Auto" wll only use the compressor when it needs to.

A better test is to force the compressor to run:

1. Start the car, and set the temp to the coolest (though you can use any temp to be honest) setting.
2. Press either ECON or AUTO so that the display shows nothing.... ie: it is not in AUTO mode, or in ECON, and so is fully manual.
3. Check the compressor - it should be running.

[PaulMK4GTI]

It does sound like your compressor is not turning on - the inside part you refer to should turn and you should also hear a definite 'click' as the compressor comes on.

It should always come on in AUTO mode (ECON doesn't use the compressor).

I had this problem a few summers back. It was actually the wiring to the compressor that had corroded and i know of at least one other person that this has happened to so it's probably worth checking that before you shell out for a new compressor.

Find the two wires that supply power to the compressor - you should see them as you look at the compressor from the top - IIRC  there's a green one and a brown one. Start at the compressor end and trace them back to the multi-plug, this is where mine had corroded so the compressor wasn't getting any power.

[gtitdi]

thanks for the suggestions 

had a look at the wiring and all seems ok, but when I put a multimeter on the wires that connect to the compressor there was only a quick 'blip' of voltage every 3 seconds, nothing constant (and nothing at all when ECON is on- as expected).

Not sure if it should do this or should be a steady 12v?

[gtitdi]

Had it down to the garage earlier in the week and they confirmed the compressor was knackered
Managed to find a 2nd hand one on ebay for £39.99! Just had it fitted with a new belt - total cost under a tonne so I'm happy with that 

Doesn't fill me with much confidence about VW though, they had it for an full aircon service a few weeks ago and missed the fact that the compressor wasn't working?!
Where do you rekon I stand for a refund, partial or full, of the £65 they charged for the service?

[AlanD]

Phone them up and have word see what they got to say for themselves, that is well out of order that they didnt notice that. They will probably just turn around and say that it became faulty after the service no doubt 

[ian00uk]

i went to use my air con the other day, pressed the button and it didnt work.the air con button didnt light up orange to say its on.ne ideas

[AlanD]

i went to use my air con the other day, pressed the button and it didnt work.the air con button didnt light up orange to say its on.ne ideas

Try the simple things like fuses first.