Volkswagen Golf Quiz
Air conditioning system with refrigerant R134a

Possible complaints about refrigerant circuit

In this manual: Air conditioning system with refrigerant R134a
General body repairs, exterior — 230General body repairs, interior — 279General information, paint — 133Vechile- specific paint information — 27Heating, air conditioning — 156Auxiliary heater — 58Air conditioning system with refrigerant R134a — 1297- speed dual clutch gearbox 0CW — 544- cylinder injection engine(1.4 1 direct inction. turbocharger) — 182Fuel supply system - Petrol engines — 59Running gear, axles, steering — 221Brake system — 92Wheels and Tyres guide — 12Guide for using trailers — 11Wheels and Tyres Guide - General Information — 121Brake system (hybrid) — 73Electrical system — 326Communication — 65Electrical system, general information — 111
~3min read

Note The air conditioning system is operating correctly if the air emerging from the vent on the dashboard is at a temperature of 7oC or less.

Set the Climatronic to: “LO”.

Set the air conditioning system: “AC” on; “max”; “cold”.

Test prerequisites:
Self-diagnosis of the air conditioning system with the Vehicle diagnosis, testing and information system -VAS 5051A- using “Guided Fault Finding” cannot detect any faults; no switch-off conditions for the air conditioner compressor are set in the measured value block (only when the vehicle “air conditioning system” is fitted with self-diagnosis).

→ Rep. gr.87

Possible complaints
Note

For all complaints marked with a * → Chapter.

The cooling has failed completely. *

Insufficient cooling at all vehicle speeds and engine speeds.*

No cooling or insufficient cooling after a distance of several kilometres has been driven. * The air conditioner compressor, the air conditioning system magnetic clutch -N25- or the air conditioner compressor regulating valve -N280- have been switched off by low-pressure switch for magnetic clutch -F73-, high-pressure switch for magnetic clutch -F118-, air conditioning system pressure switch -F129- or by operating and display unit for Climatronic air conditioning system -E87- or Climatronic control unit -J255- because pressure was too high or too low.* * No fresh air flow, or very much reduced fresh air flow after driving some distance (evaporator iced up). *

In addition the following complaints may also arise:

The air conditioner compressor is noisy

  • Tighten the securing screws for the air conditioner compressor and the air conditioner compressor bracket using a torque wrench.
  • Check routing of refrigerant pipes; they must not touch other components and must be installed without tension (adjust if necessary).
Noises (refrigerant hammering) occur immediately after the air conditioning is switched on and/or in a curve or when the brakes are applied:
  • Discharge refrigerant circuit, evacuate and charge again (too much refrigerant in circuit).
Note Excess refrigerant oil in the circuit may also cause this problem (e.g. if the refrigerant oil level was not checked after the air conditioner compressor was renewed). In case of this complaint, the refrigerant circuit must be purged with R134a refrigerant → Chapter. The refrigerant must be drained from the air conditioning compressor. To facilitate this process, turn the air conditioner compressor over by hand at the poly V-belt pulley or coupling disc of the magnetic coupling. Then fill refrigerant circuit with total amount of refrigerant oil (50 g direct into air conditioner compressor) according to → vehicle-specific workshop manual. Water sprays out of the air vents (dash panel or footwell) although the air conditioning system otherwise works properly:
  • Check that the condensation water drain is properly routed; it must not be pinched or kinked.
  • The condensed water drain valve must not be hindered in its operation by wax or underbody sealant and must open and close properly.
  • Check the plenum chamber cover; it must be undamaged and be installed correctly (no water must flow into the evaporator).
  • Check water drains in plenum chamber; they must not be blocked (e.g. by leaves).

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