96 Passat A/C Problem

The A/C compressor does not seem to be kicking in, it seems as theough the system is charged OK with the freon, but when you press the AC button on the dash it does not light. I am thinking fuse, but it is supposed to be same fuse as blower motor and that works.

Some other thing to look at, or a test to see if the copmpressor is OK?

There are several fuses related: Fuse #6 (30A) does the blower fan, fuse #18 (30A) is for the cooling fan, fuses #13 (10A) and #4 (15A) are both for the A/C itself.

I had a chance to drive the car tonight, at 2500 rpm the a/c starts blowing cold air. My wife drives this to and from work in traffic, she will never hit 2500 rpm unless she stays in 2nd gear.

Does this sound like low coolant? (hope that is it), or a low pressure switch / sensor on the comperssor? Seems I have heard thre us a switch to change the clutching under certain rpm. This sure sounds like the problem, but I can make a case for coolant.

Open the hood & see if the compressor clutch engages when you turn on the A/C.

an't hear it start. I noticed in the book the extra fuses are above the relays, So far can't see them.

Problem possibly solved. Check Engine Light was on, (did I mention that?), I brought it over to our mechanic and he checked the code. Had to do with throttle actuator malfunction. Recently I replaced the Air mass sensor and duct work, I think this may have had something to do with this other code. Anyway, he reset the code, and the A/C started working. The idle smoothed out. So far so good, no reactivating of the code, and this morning, the car started right and idled. This was the other problemn I had that initiated the replacement of the air mass part.

So, I guess I need to get that VAG tool, or just plan on bringing it in each time. I miss the old eccentric idle part on a carb. Life was so much simpler./..

Funny, back when I was in High School the counselor wouold look at slipping grades and tell you you may only be able to be a mechanic.,.. Like it was a threat or a punishment. Now with all the electronics, the rates etc, if your grades droop they warn you may NOT be able to be a mechanic!

Bill,

The same situation with the AC just happened to my 97 Passat. The car was in my garage for three weeks and had to jump-start it because battery was dead. After that, I saw the Service Engine LED ON and the AC compressor turns on occasionally, mostly when running at a high speed (over 60mph). I took it to a couple of AC shops thinking it was low freon but it checked out OK and the pressure switch was also ok. The AC techs could not figure out what was wrong. Now with the info on your post, I will take it to a VW shop to have the code reset.


All,
Is there a quick way to reset the code without taking it to a shop? I just want to see if the AC problem gets fixed. Maybe I screwed the computer when I jump-started it.

Thanks,

Jim