A/C Thermal Switch Failure

[obx_keny]

Have a 2001 Cabrio.... about 18 months ago had the A/C cut off after the car got hot. Foubd bad Termal Switch.... worked fine and now I have the same problem... same switch bad... Is there a history of these going bad or did I just get the luck of the draw or is this the results of buying non-oem parts.

[germancarnut51]

Have a 2001 Cabrio.... about 18 months ago had the A/C cut off after the car got hot. Foubd bad Termal Switch.... worked fine and now I have the same problem... same switch bad... Is there a history of these going bad or did I just get the luck of the draw or is this the results of buying non-oem parts.

No long ago there was a Thread started by another Poster with a problem with his ac system.

A guy who claimed to be a VW Dealer Mechanic stated that the ac thermal cutoff switch was a common failure item based on two of them failing on his own cars. He never made mention of them failing on any cars that he had worked on at the Dealership.

Personally, I've never seen a defective ac thermal switch on a MKIII, but I'm not a "professional" mechanic. I've only worked on the ac systems of 8-10 MKIIIs over the past 4+ years.

Are you sure that the thermal switch is the problem? I mean have you confirmed that the switch is defective, and the coolant temperature is not elevated? If your replacement switch is defective, I'd be inclined to believe that you got a bad one (what brand was it?). The quality of replacement parts varies, and cost is not the only indicator of quality (chain auto parts stores parts are not the best, and the quality of the parts isn't good either). I buy most of my replacement parts online, and I don't order the least expensive parts, I go by the reputation (and my experiences) with the manufacturer of the parts (brand name).

[obx_keny]

Yeah I am sure..... the sytem is full and the temp gauge reads normal. No excess heat from engine when you raise the hood and I can jumper the switch. I bought it on-line and it was not the cheapest, have another coming.... I agree with local auto stores.... got stranded twice with a coil failing twice in 3 years. probably just my luck...

[mrosen38]

I had the same issue. Switch had an open circuit when cold, should have had a closed circuit. Jumped the two pins and the A/C worked again. Advance has the switch for around $10 but it has to be ordered.