Just A Couple Of Things

[pingupie]

Hi all,

 

I would like to start by saying thanks to everyone who takes time to answer everyones questions on here,

You have all saved me a few quid from frauds already parking sensor and brake sensor just to name a couple however Ive scoured the forum for a couple of nights now trying to find an answer to a couple of things before I start dismantling things.

1st Ive got no lights on the dash (backlights) everything else works fine a couple of posts suggest the bulbs but would all of them go at the same time I have checked the fuse no 19 I think it was and that is fine

2nd is the air con should the relays 2 of them i think on level 2 click when i press the AC button and if so how would i check if they are shot beyond that the fans dont turn and the compresser dosent turn as suggested in other posts if they should click then i have a starting point many thanks in advance

I have a 2001 1.9TDI 115 with 110000 on the clock

 

Craig

[David Armstrong]

Craig,

 

I have had a bit of bother with air con in the past when a leak developed and all the gas leaked out. The compressor then seized and snapped the aux belt. I changed the compressor over, renewed the aux belt and one day when summer arrives and it gets too hot I plan to replace the faulty section of pipe and re-fill with gas.

 

What is actually happening when you press th AC button? Is the light coming on? Is the compressor coming on? I presume that you have manual controls and not climate control unit? Is the blower working and normal heating and cooling without the ac?

 

You can by-pass relays to test them but the ac system is made up of a lot of sensors and components and it could be anything that is at fault.

 

As for your lights I would start with the obvious changing the lamps and take it from there.

 

David

[pingupie]

David,

Thanks for the reply, Yes got the manual A/C the button lights up when I press it however there is no change in idle speed as the engine compensates the main 2 fans on the front dont turn and the compresser doesnt kick in so thats what led me to think the relay I went into Frauds today just to price up a new one just to see what i would be looking at if it was that and they wanted 65 euros ( I work in Germany)!!!!!!

How would I go about testing he relay or bypasing it just to test it then i can move from there.

Ive yet to check the dash lights just waiting to get a spare 5 mins missus is due to drop tomorrow!!!!

 

Craig

[pingupie]

P.S.

 

All the heating and everything else works fine. was misting up quick in the rain but sorted that after changing the pollen filter thanks to someone who posted on here

 

Craig

[David Armstrong]

David,

Thanks for the reply, Yes got the manual A/C the button lights up when I press it however there is no change in idle speed as the engine compensates the main 2 fans on the front dont turn and the compresser doesnt kick in so thats what led me to think the relay I went into Frauds today just to price up a new one just to see what i would be looking at if it was that and they wanted 65 euros ( I work in Germany)!!!!!!

How would I go about testing he relay or bypasing it just to test it then i can move from there.

Ive yet to check the dash lights just waiting to get a spare 5 mins missus is due to drop tomorrow!!!!

 

Craig

 

Craig,

 

My AC system works (apart from the fact it has a hole in the pipe and no gas in the system!) and when I put the AC button on the light comes on but as there is no gas in the system the compressor knows this (pressure switch) and does not start ( I pressume to prevent damage when system has lost it's gas) and the engine idle speed does not change.

 

I think your problem may be that there is no gas or a shortage of gas in the system. I got a friend who is a commercial AC engineer to test my system using nitrogen for leaks and that is how I know I have a problem. It may be worthwhile getting the system tested for a leak or re-gassed and see if it makes a difference, most local garages and fast fit tyre places offer this service and there are also mobile fitters in the uk and so I suspect it will be similar in Germany usually costs about

[pingupie]

David

 

Many thanks for your help will drop it in the garage some time this week for a check over and re gas will let everyone know how i get on many thanks

 

Craig

[pingupie]

Update,

The story so far dash lights sorted changed the bulbs and all is now ok. The air con however took it into a local garage this morning for a re gas he stopped as soon as he started and pointed ut a leaking pipe but when on to quote me 1200 euros to fix it saying if the pipe has got a leak then its more likely the compresser and radiator hve gone as well all in all it only took him 5 mins to diagnose the lot. Hmmm I ask!!!! Does anyone know if this is the norm its the pipe on the right hand side as you look at the engine that goes into the test/top up point also is there anywhere cheap flogging them

 

Many thanks

 

Craig

[rjhwuk]

It is quite common for the a/c pipes to fail on these, I saw 3 in one week recently. The pipes seem to be too short and fracture on the "U" bend near the compressor but I have also seen them break at the top by the low pressure service valve. Strictly speaking, the receiver drier should also be replaced as it will have become saturated with moisture if the system has been opened for any time. The condenser should not need replacing.

 

Hope this helps, RHW

Edited May 4, 2009 by rjhwuk