96 Jetta A/C not working

I took the car in to get the cooling fan replaced for the radiator and the guy told me that in order to remove the fan he had to remove the A/C hose connected to the condenser in order to get it out, which I had to say ok to (even though both bently and Hayns say you don't have to). So he recharges the system and now the A/C doesn't work. He told me that it is an electrical problem since he can take direct electricity to the compressor and it turns it on and A/C start working but it won't work normally for some reason. Any thoughts on what I should check for? The compressor works fine but yet it doesn't want to work under normal conditions. The cooling fan works when the A/C button is pushed and the fan turned on, so what needs to be done to get the Compressor to work normally?

Thanks
Al
96 VW Jetta Gl 5spd

Was the A/C working before he took it apart?

Was the A/C working before he took it apart?
Yes it was.

I'd count it as a lesson learned (where not to take your car) & take it somewhere else if he says he can't fix it. You can look to see if he blew a fuse, #4, 15A under dash and two larger ones under the hood on the A/C (cooling fan control) module on the left side of the compartment. After that there are a few sensors that will cut the power to the compressor.

I have noticed now that when I turn on the A/C and driving the A/C will actually work, but when I stop in traffic or when the car is ideling in the driveway the A/C will not work. Any thoughts on that, this is trully confusing me. If it is totally dead I would understand but it's not.

I have a couple of theories.

1. I believe the Engine Block hose flange is leaking and the water level is usually low, but the car doesn't overheat. I am guessing could it possibly by the Water Temp Sensor not getting water when ideling and thus reporting air temp is high and shuts off the compressor till the car revs and water circulates and temp goes down turnign on compressor.

2. Not enoght voltage getting to the relay till the engine is reved and then the relay kicks on. I hear the relay when it kicks on when I hit the gas and the A/C works but when it idels I hear it kick off and the A/C stop working.


The relay turning off could also be part of the Water temp Sensor, since it completes the circuit. Just some brain storming, let me know from your experience or suggestions on what to check.

Thanks
Al
96 Jetta III, 5spd 2.0

Is the check engine light on? Some faults will cause the A/C to be disabled. This means the compressor would not be turning. If the system works well at high RPM, but not at idle (but the compressor is still engaged) then it may just have a low charge or air in the system.

Is the check engine light on? Some faults will cause the A/C to be disabled. This means the compressor would not be turning. If the system works well at high RPM, but not at idle (but the compressor is still engaged) then it may just have a low charge or air in the system.


Check engine light is always on, at least ofr the past couple of years. How do I check for low charge if the compressor is not working. Should I rev it above 2K, that's where the compressor kicks in and the a/c starts working and check the charge or would that not show me if the charge is low or not.

Thanks
Al

Well, you need to get the codes checked. From here I'd guess the A/C is in on working order, but is low on refrigerant or is contaminated. You would need a set of gauges to check the A/C pressures to verify what's wrong.