Air Con not cold

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
Think the pressure switch may of gone on mine today. Coming home from work, noticed that the air con wasn't blowing cold at all. When i pulled onto the drive and switched off, the car suddenly let off a rush of gas, like a kettle whistling. I almost crapped myself. :wtf:

Thought the main rad had gone at first, but no steam or water so appears that my air con has suddenly vented itself. The sound died off after a few minutes. Symptoms appear to fit others experiences.

I'll get it diagnosed properly at Awesome soon and get it fixed.
 

Kaza

Female Petrolhead :)
Jul 5, 2010
1,208
2
Kent
Just had the same thing on my 2008 K1

Hadn't used the air con over the winter and when we had a bit of warm weather the other week the air con was blowing cool(ish), not cold, air.
.

I bought my car privately (what a mistake) and it turns out that when the previous owner had not used the air con all winter, when she went to use it, there was a part on the actual compressor itself that had snapped and therefore needing a new compressor. However, I did not find out that this was broken til after i bought it :(

Apparently you should use it often to prevent that from happening. Worst case etc.
 

Paulki

Active Member
Jul 12, 2006
367
6
Enfield
Could you tell where exactly it was venting from? It's not likely to be the pressure switch itself, when they fail the system just won't work, they (usually) won't leak gas as well!
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
Sounded like down by the compressor, taking over to Awesome on Saturday so they can have a proper look and check nothing else is at fault like a pipe off etc.

Having spoken to a VAG mastertech about the issue too, he seems fairly confident its the pressure switch and its a common fail.

I have a fault code too, but its on my other laptop and can't remember it off the top of my head at the moment, but its a pressure drop on the air con system, no doubt due in part to the fact its lost its gas.
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
Yes mate, I did it lol.

Seriously though. Yes it was easy mate, Old sensor screws off, Schraeder valve underneath so you won't get a face full. Replace Sensor and then Regas.

Awesome will sort it easily mate.

This is me we are talking about though. :lol:

Where's Vern and his tool belt when you need him eh. :D
 

Fusster

Active Member
Jul 19, 2011
148
1
Could you tell where exactly it was venting from? It's not likely to be the pressure switch itself, QUOTE]
When the pressure switch fails which is very common they do spring a leak in to the electrical connector housing,if you dissconect the sensor the connector is usually full of oil.
I,ve seen a few comments on this thread regarding the use of the air con or rather lack off use,with a solenoid controlled compressor the compressor is always running at at least 2% even when turned off.this circulates the oil and gas enough to stop seals drying out and getting leaks through lack off use.
Old clutch type compressors used to suffer with leaks due to lack of use but this issue is removed with a solenoid controlled compressor(one of the reasons it was introduced)
Cheers
 

Cupra R

Active Member
Dec 5, 2001
2,217
4
UK.
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This is me we are talking about though. :lol:

Where's Vern and his tool belt when you need him eh. :D

LOL, I think Vern is that busy mate he needs a reminder to breath.

I had to buy some Crows feet spanners 17mm I think. With the right tools it is a doodle, honestly. But, it then needs Regassing.

Re, Fussters comments.

Thank You very much for that, I had been led to believe to use the AC if not at least to keep everything lulubricated.

I can now leave it switched off lol.
 

jnbeck

Guest
Hi,

Think i have the same problem, could someone give me a part number please? I cannot find anything on ebay relating to pressure valve or sensor etc.

thanks
 

tonto

Active Member
Apr 17, 2011
1,265
4
plymouth
Hi,

Think i have the same problem, could someone give me a part number please? I cannot find anything on ebay relating to pressure valve or sensor etc.

thanks

A/C pressure switch, around £30 on ebay for a gen, more so at main dealer or about a 5er from Eurocarparts. its located on the High pressure line, open the bonnet and look down and just left of center, cant miss it.

unplug the look, clip on the plug and pull up.
17mm crow feet, and take it off. any gas in there, will leak out (yes this is advised as now being illegal, but does anyone care? didnt think so)

unscrew till you hear it hissing out, then leave it for 20 mins, come back, remove. install new switch, plug in, go get a regas asap! as, no gas in the system causes it to sieze. whilst you're ok for a few hours i wouldnt go much longer without getting an air lock.

p.s. this thread is years old now, but thanks for searching rather than posting up a new one. although people are likly to moan "look at the date" and all that crap...
 
Last edited:

jnbeck

Guest
A/C pressure switch, around £30 on ebay for a gen, more so at main dealer or about a 5er from Eurocarparts. its located on the High pressure line, open the bonnet and look down and just left of center, cant miss it.

unplug the look, clip on the plug and pull up.
17mm crow feet, and take it off. any gas in there, will leak out (yes this is advised as now being illegal, but does anyone care? didnt think so)

unscrew till you hear it hissing out, then leave it for 20 mins, come back, remove. install new switch, plug in, go get a regas asap! as, no gas in the system causes it to sieze. whilst you're ok for a few hours i wouldnt go much longer without getting an air lock.

p.s. this thread is years old now, but thanks for searching rather than posting up a new one. although people are likly to moan "look at the date" and all that crap...
Hi,

Thanks for the information, would this be the right part?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-V...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item232b326eba

The aircon is empty anyway, had it refilled and a few months later was all gone so taking the old pressure switch off should produce no fluid loss.

Didn't realise the thread was so old to be honest, but thanks for the advice :)
 
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