bump!
#1
the a/c in my 2k1 jetta 1.8t isn't working -- just never gets cold...tried to add a can of refrigerant, but it wouldn't take it...
it doesn't seem like the compressor is turning on -- even though vag-com shows AC HIGH and compressor on when i switch it on....
i'm assuming that the refrigerant is low, and that is keeping the compressor from turning on -- but it also won't take any without the compressor going on.
normally we'd just jump out a switch and force the compressor on, but i couldn't figure out how.
any ideas? anything else i should be checking?
#3
no clue John...might want to give chris or pat a call and ask them for some help
Mike
#4
yeah... this one's going to be ugly i think. i guess a/c isn't part of powertrain, eh? maybe it's time to trade it in.
#5
Hey John,
My Wife's New Beetle has just been bitten by a similar thing- except when I press the AC button, the AC compressor doesn't come on and Vag-com aggrees-- the compressor is shown as off.I was cruisin the Bentley this evening and it looks like there are a few hidden switches in there... one will not let the compressor turn on if it's too cold, and the other won't let it turn on if there is too much/ too little refridgerant in the system.
There's a quick test to be made, by jumping pins 1 and 2 of the sensor in the far back passenger side of the engine compartment. I couldn't reach it real easy tonight (had a flashlight in one hand), but I'll see if I can get to it tomorrow.
-chris
Modified by oldskool industries at 12:14 AM 5-5-2003
#6
Ok I just did this the other day.....
Jump out and check if when you turn the AC on if your compressor turns on or the Fans? If not. Check the PLUG that comes off the top of the battery you should be able to use a test light and should get 12v from all 3 or 4 pins (think it's 3). If you have power there, those wires run striaght to your relay which is under your battery. It's pretty big costs about $170 if it's bad. If the blower comes on it's going to be one of those or the compressor. Turn the AC on and test light the plug for the compressor, you should see 12v. If not, it's one of the things listed. Also check your high and low pressure switches if they are bad the compressor will not turn on, However check the other things I mentioned earlier first. ALso there is a temp switch that is in the same area of the car as the relay. It's a big sensor that is on the radiator endcap I think. Check for 12v there. That basically sums up the WHOLE AC electrical system for the compressor.
#7
let me know what you find
#8
we tried jumping out what i thought was a pressure switch near the firewall on the pass side this past weekend. we proceeded to blow a fuse, and stopped going down that route. i'll see what i can find out this week.
#9
1. check to see if your AC compressor is engauging. If it isn't it's either 2 things, there is not 134a in the system because of a leak, or you have a bad relay. Before wasting your time checking relays, take a small screw driving and quickly push in/out on one of the high side or low side lines (just unscrew either the big or small cap on the ac lines. If a weak mist comes out, your system is probably empty due to a leak, if a quick burst comes out it's probably full and you have an electrical problem.If there is no 134a check for the obvious, a hole in your condensor (infront of the radiator) all it takes is a small pebble at 100mph to put a hole in it. Look for oil spots and paint coming off on spots on your condensor, if you get a 134a sniffer it will be alot easier. If you can't find any leak you're going to have to get a certified shop to put die in the system.
If there is 134a start by checking all the fuses. If there good switching the AC compressor clutch relay with one just like it and see if the compressor turns on. If it doesn't, get the ETM and jump the relay, if it doesn't turn on, there is either a wiring problem after the relay, or in the Electrical part of the comrpessor clutch. If it does turn on, the problem is either the relay, or an electical problem before the relay (wiring, switch)
Hope this helps. Don't smoke when you're checking to see if there is 134a
marty
#10
i'm hopefully going to do some of these steps tomorrow, will report back...
#11
I have the same problem, nothing happens when i push the a/c button. I also have the same problem with the cruise control.
R32 NA 13.2@103
R32 HPA 11.8@121
#12
Guys I looked at 3 other NB's today and all but the newer 2002 had the power distribution panel on the top of the battery was just fried. Had another buddy that the relay went out in his car yesterday. Similar symptoms. Blower blows, just no cool air. Clutch doesn't engauge and now power to compressor. Traced it all the way back to the relay. Power going to relay, and switch was being turned on, just relay wasn't clicking on.
#13
first update: system has pressure, i touched the valve with something and it shot out at me....distribution block was fine, all fuses were good and looked fine.
where is the relay? i can check that tomorrow....
#14
relay is directly under the battery....I really think it's that because your not getting power to the Fans or the compressor right? When you turn the AC on high your fans for the radiator don't turn on high? Relay will be really big with 2 plugs going into it. I think on has like 7 wires while the other has 4 heavy gauge wires.
#15
took out my airbox and battery today to find the relay, but came up empty handed.... here's a pic:
where's the relay ?
Modified by John A at 9:16 AM 5-11-2003
#16
You get to it from the bottom of the car. Should be Under there, but from the bottom of the car. Follow the plug connector down from the top of the battery distrobution panel should go right to it.
#17
bug power is talking about the fan control module it is possibly faulty but first remove the fuse on top of the battery some times they will show voltage but will be blown inside the fuse its hard to explain but it will look melted you should back probe the a/c wir with 12 volts and see if it engages and does it they blow cold if not you could be low on freon the system wont work with a low charge
#18
You may also want to check the low pressure sensor. I forgot to plug mine back in after installing my FMIC this winter. The fans would run but the compressor never engaged because the sensor is designed to protect it in case of a leak.
#19
ok, i get no fans, no compressor. i'll get under the car tomorrow to look for it.thanks!
#20
Before you get under the car. Hook the battery back up, then unplug the connector that goes into the power distro box on top of the battery. Use a test light to make sure ALL of those pins are hot. If they are....the next stop is the Fan Relay under the battery that must be accessed from under the car.
#21
fixed! see here:http://www.abella.net/vw/acrelay.html
#22
Good to hear you got it fixed. Now if you have the equipment, you can clean that one up and get it working again. If your just going to throw it away, you may be able to get a couple bucks for it. When putting it back together just use some silicone RTV to seal it all up.
#23
Quote, originally posted by oldskool industries » Hey John,
My Wife's New Beetle has just been bitten by a similar thing-Ours turned out to be a cracked condenser. We had a rodent commit suicide thru our grill last year and his impact must have put a slow leak in the compressor.
I'm waiting for her new 'cup car' bumper to arrive before I fix it so I can take apart the nose of the car once.
#24
thanks again rodney, this was a good thing to avoid a trip to the dealership on. (although my cracked coilpack wires -- now THAT it's going in for!)bump for the weekday crew.
#25
brutal.glad to hear it's fixed! nice how-to
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