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Air Conditioner Problems

Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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Air Conditioner Problems

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Last edited by Eclipse2Lancer; Oct 20, 2009 at 06:48 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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Yes mine did that some time ago. Turned the A/C on and nothing. Just gave a few hits under the glove box and it worked like a charm Its been sounding a bit wierd but been too lazy to take it to the dealership
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 08:26 AM
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From: Seat 8A
Originally Posted by Eclipse2Lancer
Well it got warm enough here today (mid 80's) to roll the windows up and turn on the A/C. Problem is.....the A/C didn't want to kick on.
Pushed the A/C button, it lit up but the compressor didn't engage. Uh-oh. Tried it a couple more times and nothing.
Got home and checked the fuse.....it's fine. Don't think it is the compressor clutch relay....I switched it with another in the connector box and still nothing.

Anyone had an issue similar? Otherwise I will have to take it in to have it checked. I recently did a timing belt and balance belt change.....but pretty sure that's unrelated. I did re-connect everything (i.e. the power plug to the A/C compressor)......but have not checked the A/C refrigerant temp switch, which is next in the power connection chain. Could that be it?? Does that switch reside on the compressor itself??
When you turn on the AC, does the compressor clutch engage? If so, does the low side pipe get cold? If it does get cold, then there's a problem in your plenum (flappy door that directs air.) If it doesn't, then check the pressure of your AC system with the proper gauges. If it's low, then you've lost coolant, and have a leak to track down.

If the clutch doesn't engage, then you'll have to track down an electrical gremlin.

If you need an extra brain to troubleshoot, Will, you can call me, I'll have my cell on me.

Edit: Reread, you already said the clutch wouldn't engage. First thing to check is your system pressure. If there's not enough pressure in the system, the clutch won't engage. Something else to try, turn off the AC button and switch the control over to defrost and see if it kicks on then.

Last edited by otter; Apr 25, 2009 at 08:30 AM.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 01:00 PM
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tried the defrost selection without the AC switch......AC clutch still not engaging.
I'll have to troubleshoot further later this week.....don't have time this weekend.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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Well....I went through all the electrics, found nothing.
Took it to the dealer today (I'm lucky, the dealer near me has good, fair service), they tested all electrics...fine. Checked freon level....low. Too low for the compressor to kick on.
So they did a leak test and recharged the freon, then tested it again. Works fine now.....$120 later.

Service dude is cool enough to bring me back there while he did a leak test with his freon sniffer tool.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 11:39 AM
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From: Seat 8A
r134, not freon. You're going to have the problem again, most likely, even if they didn't find a leak, since refrigerant doesn't just disappear.

Get yourself one of these - http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92649
Can check the pressure yourself (on any car) and you can buy cans of r134 at any autoparts store
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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meh.....probably all the dam rabbits in the neighborhood stealin' mah refrigerant!! Furry, not VW.
He did point out a big dent in my coil.....but sniffered it and found no signs of leakage.

R134A freon. I know crap about AC.
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Old Apr 28, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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GAH.....double post.
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 07:33 AM
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I haven't had AC in 2-3 years.. I have a leak somewhere I think but the thing is the AC clutch kicks in but it blows warm air.. I'll recharge the system and go as far as getting the vacuum unit to sucking the stuff out of it and it'll go warm in a week. I sorta just assumed it was screwed... Any suggestions? My friends are going to kill me if I don't get it fixed this year haha.
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 12:22 PM
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From: Seat 8A
Originally Posted by bruce988jl
I haven't had AC in 2-3 years.. I have a leak somewhere I think but the thing is the AC clutch kicks in but it blows warm air.. I'll recharge the system and go as far as getting the vacuum unit to sucking the stuff out of it and it'll go warm in a week. I sorta just assumed it was screwed... Any suggestions? My friends are going to kill me if I don't get it fixed this year haha.
If the compressor runs, check to see if the pipe gets cold. If it does, then you likely have a broken/disconnected door in your air plenum in the passenger compartment under the dash.
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by otter
If the compressor runs, check to see if the pipe gets cold. If it does, then you likely have a broken/disconnected door in your air plenum in the passenger compartment under the dash.
Would that explain the hissing sound I get when I turn on the AC?
Damn sounds like a ***** to get to and fix...
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Old Jun 23, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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Any suggestions on what is wrong if the air works till the car warms up and then it shuts off. I tried adding Refridgerant, and it showed I could add some while the compressor was working. After about 10 minutes, something started clicking on and off and the air stopped working. Bad compressor or some sort of temp switch?
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Old Jun 25, 2009 | 11:06 AM
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From: usa
Originally Posted by bruce988jl
I haven't had AC in 2-3 years.. I have a leak somewhere I think but the thing is the AC clutch kicks in but it blows warm air.. I'll recharge the system and go as far as getting the vacuum unit to sucking the stuff out of it and it'll go warm in a week. I sorta just assumed it was screwed... Any suggestions? My friends are going to kill me if I don't get it fixed this year haha.
i have the same problem, i tried to add refridgerent to it and it leaks out some where, but besides that the knob that turns the air from hot to cold broke off and it was extremely hard to turn from the get go. has anyone else had this problem and what can i do to fix it. also i cant just replace the knob because of how the ac unit is made. i have to install the whole darn unit.
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Old Jun 29, 2009 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by djsbadger
Any suggestions on what is wrong if the air works till the car warms up and then it shuts off. I tried adding Refridgerant, and it showed I could add some while the compressor was working. After about 10 minutes, something started clicking on and off and the air stopped working. Bad compressor or some sort of temp switch?
I am having the same issue I recently replaced all the a/c pipes, hoses and the condenser as well as the expansion valve. The air works great when its sitting idling and when driving it at low speeds, once it warms up or I get on it or drive on a highway it stops working and blows out hot air. The compressor is a new one that was also replaced.
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Old Aug 3, 2009 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Bombbuzz
I am having the same issue I recently replaced all the a/c pipes, hoses and the condenser as well as the expansion valve. The air works great when its sitting idling and when driving it at low speeds, once it warms up or I get on it or drive on a highway it stops working and blows out hot air. The compressor is a new one that was also replaced.
Did you ever figure out the problem. I'm having the same exact issue with my car. If its really hot out the A/C will run for a little bit then stop then if I turn off the air and let it sit for about 10 minutes it will work for a little bit then stop. Its weird and bugging the crap out of me since I used to have good A/C before.
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