Volkswagen Air Conditioning Not Working [Causes & Proven Solutions]
Do you own a Volkswagen and your air conditioner isn’t working You’re not alone. This is a common problem that can be frustrating and inconvenient. But don’t worry, there are a few things you can check to try to fix the problem yourself. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot a Volkswagen air conditioner that isn’t working. I’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent this problem from happening in the future.
Reasons Why Volkswagen Air Conditioning Not Working
Low Refrigerant Level
The most common reason for a Volkswagen air conditioner not working is a low refrigerant level. Refrigerant is a gas that is used to cool the air inside the car. If the refrigerant level is too low, the air conditioner will not be able to cool the air effectively.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor is the heart of the air conditioner system. It is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas and sending it through the evaporator coil. If the compressor is faulty, the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
Faulty Expansion Valve
The expansion valve is a small device that regulates the flow of refrigerant gas through the evaporator coil. If the expansion valve is faulty, the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is a metal coil that is located inside the dashboard. The air conditioner blows air over the evaporator coil, and the refrigerant gas inside the coil absorbs the heat from the air. If the evaporator coil is dirty, it will not be able to absorb heat effectively, and the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
Faulty Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is a metal coil that is located outside the car. The refrigerant gas passes through the condenser coil, and the heat from the gas is dissipated into the air. If the condenser coil is faulty, the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat is a sensor that tells the air conditioner when to turn on and off. If the thermostat is faulty, the air conditioner may not turn on when it is needed, or it may turn on when it is not needed.
Faulty Control Unit
The control unit is the computer that controls the air conditioner system. If the control unit is faulty, the air conditioner may not work properly.
Also Read: Volkswagen Beetle Air Conditioning Not Working
How to Troubleshoot: Volkswagen Air Conditioning Not Working
What to Do If Your Volkswagen Air Conditioner Is Not Working
If your Volkswagen air conditioner is not working, there are a few things you can check to try to troubleshoot the problem.
1. Check the air conditioner compressor:
The air conditioner compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. It’s responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas and sending it through the evaporator, where it cools the air that’s blown into the cabin. If the compressor isn’t working, the air conditioner won’t be able to cool the air.
To check the compressor, you’ll need to locate it under the hood. It’s usually a large, cylindrical-shaped object. Once you’ve located it, you can try to start it by turning the key to the on position and listening for a whining sound. If you don’t hear a whining sound, the compressor may be bad and will need to be replaced.
2. Check the refrigerant level:
The refrigerant is a gas that flows through the air conditioning system and absorbs heat. If the refrigerant level is low, the air conditioner won’t be able to cool the air.
To check the refrigerant level, you’ll need to use a refrigerant manifold gauge. This is a tool that connects to the high and low pressure sides of the air conditioning system. The manifold gauge will show you the pressure of the refrigerant in the system. If the pressure is low, you’ll need to add more refrigerant to the system.
3. Check the air conditioning condenser:
The air conditioning condenser is a radiator-like device that’s located in front of the radiator. It’s responsible for cooling the refrigerant gas after it’s been compressed by the compressor. If the condenser is dirty or clogged, it can’t effectively cool the refrigerant gas, which will cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
To check the condenser, you’ll need to remove the air filter and look at the condenser. If the condenser is dirty, you can clean it with a garden hose. If the condenser is clogged, you’ll need to have it replaced.
4. Check the evaporator:
The evaporator is a heat exchanger that’s located in the dashboard. It’s responsible for cooling the air that’s blown into the cabin. If the evaporator is dirty or clogged, it can’t effectively cool the air, which will cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
To check the evaporator, you’ll need to remove the glove box and look at the evaporator. If the evaporator is dirty, you can clean it with a garden hose. If the evaporator is clogged, you’ll need to have it replaced.
5. Check the blower motor:
The blower motor is responsible for blowing air through the evaporator. If the blower motor isn’t working, the air conditioner won’t be able to cool the air.
To check the blower motor, you’ll need to turn the air conditioner on and listen for the blower motor. If you don’t hear the blower motor running, the motor may be bad and will need to be replaced.
6. Check the air conditioner control panel:
The air conditioner control panel is responsible for sending signals to the various components of the air conditioning system. If the control panel is not working properly, it can cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
To check the control panel, you’ll need to turn the air conditioner on and make sure that the various controls are working properly. If the controls are not working properly, the control panel may be bad and will need to be replaced.
7. Take your Volkswagen to a qualified repair shop:
If you’ve checked all of the above and you’re still having problems with your Volkswagen air conditioner, it’s time to take your car to a qualified repair shop. A qualified repair shop will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it properly.
FAQs: Volkswagen Air Conditioning Not Working
Why is my Volkswagen air conditioning not working?
There are a few possible reasons why your Volkswagen air conditioning may not be working. Here are some of the most common:
The air conditioning compressor is not working: This is the most common cause of a Volkswagen air conditioner not working. The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas, which is then used to cool the air inside the car. If the compressor is not working, the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
The refrigerant level is low: The refrigerant gas is what actually cools the air inside the car. If the refrigerant level is low, the air conditioner will not be able to produce cold air.
The condenser is dirty: The condenser is responsible for removing heat from the refrigerant gas. If the condenser is dirty, it will not be able to effectively remove heat from the gas, which will cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
The evaporator is dirty: The evaporator is responsible for cooling the air inside the car. If the evaporator is dirty, it will not be able to effectively cool the air, which will cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
The air filter is dirty: The air filter is responsible for filtering the air that enters the air conditioner. If the air filter is dirty, it will restrict airflow to the air conditioner, which will cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
How do I fix my Volkswagen air conditioning?
The specific steps you need to take to fix your Volkswagen air conditioning will vary depending on the specific cause of the problem. However, here are some general steps that may help:
1. Check the air conditioning compressor: If the air conditioning compressor is not working, you will need to have it replaced.
2. Check the refrigerant level: If the refrigerant level is low, you will need to have it refilled.
3. Clean the condenser: If the condenser is dirty, you will need to clean it.
4. Clean the evaporator: If the evaporator is dirty, you will need to clean it.
5. Clean the air filter: If the air filter is dirty, you will need to replace it.
How much does it cost to fix a Volkswagen air conditioner?
The cost of fixing a Volkswagen air conditioner will vary depending on the specific cause of the problem. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for repairs.
What can I do to prevent my Volkswagen air conditioner from breaking down?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your Volkswagen air conditioner from breaking down:
Keep the air filter clean: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the air conditioner, which can cause it to not work properly.
Have the refrigerant level checked regularly: A low refrigerant level can cause the air conditioner to not work properly.
Have the condenser and evaporator cleaned regularly: A dirty condenser and evaporator can restrict airflow to the air conditioner, which can cause it to not work properly.
Avoid using the air conditioner in extreme temperatures: Using the air conditioner in extreme temperatures can put stress on the system and cause it to break down.
What should I do if my Volkswagen air conditioner is still not working after I have tried to fix it myself?
If your Volkswagen air conditioner is still not working after you have tried to fix it yourself, you should take it to a qualified mechanic. A mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it properly.
