A/C Climatronic Compressor Faults

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:51 pm

I have a problem. With Climatronic on i get a faint noise (similar to the steering on full lock) coming from the engine and my radiator fan keeps cutting in every couple of 45 seconds to one minute. Even with the engine relatively cold.

When I switch the Climatronic off, no noise, and the radiator fan doesnt keep cutting in.

My GTI isnt under warranty, and VW have quoted a four figure sum to have the necessary work done (new compressor and new radiator fan (although I dont believe the latter)) .

Anyone else had anything similar, and if so, what was the problem.

Any advice welcome whilst i fill out the forms to remortgage the house!

Cheers

andyg · Post by **andyg** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:25 pm

By your intiial description it sounds like nothing is wrong. When the AC pump kicks in it will make a slight noise (not too loud) it hums and you will feel a reduction in power.

Also the AC pump puts strain on the engine and it will get hotter much quicker causing the fan to kick in.

HOWEVER if VW have looked at it and think the pump is gone then they might be right. Does the AC actually work? does cold air blow out? My advice is take it to a VW specialist, will be way cheaper than a dealer (they charge ~Â£60/hour or something stupid)

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:54 pm

I know the noise you mean when the AC pump kicks in - that still happens as normal. And the AC still seems to work as normal (hot and cold air).

But, its the slight noise its making when switched on - which it never normally does - and the regularity with the radiator fan kicking in which is also part of the problem.

Cheers tho - I will look up a VW specialist

to see if they will knock a few 0000's off the bill!

Cheers!

Dangerous Dave · Post by **Dangerous Dave** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:52 pm

When the aircon is switched on the radiator fan is also switched on all the time regardless of engine temperature this is to help with the cooling of the aircons radiator, bigger cars have a seperate fan for the aircon and engine radiator however on the Polo the one fan does both however its two stage so if the engine starts to overheat the fan speeds up.

So if your fan is not coming on straight away with the aircon I would hazard a guess the fan is knackered and the noise you are hearing is it trying to spin up and its freeing itself every so often. If your aircon can still cool the air below the outside temp there will be nothing wrong with the AC compressor.

A quick and easy test would be to disconnect the cable to the fan and see if the noise goes away when you switch the aircon on.

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:34 pm

After being quoted Â£800 to replace the compressor and Â£200+ to replace the radiator fan, I asked the dealers to re-diagnose....which they did.

Their second opinion was that I do not need to replace the compressor......just the radiator fan.

I am not pleased with VW, who presemably would have fleeced me for Â£800 if I had given the go-ahead instantly to the work being done.

The car has been with the dealers for nearly two weeks now while they sort this out along with replacing the clutch (post pedal box recall problems) and sort out a strange sound coming from the steering wheel.

andyg · Post by **andyg** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:56 pm

VW service is pants, like all dealerships they charge extortionate rates for repairs but ontop of that I dont think they are more skilled than your average garage out there. The dealers rely on the cars reputation more than anything.

I had a brand new standard Polo and my collegue had a brand new Sharran and the service we recieved was terrible, the service I have recieved on my GTi is no better.

I know how you feel, my advice is to find a VW specialist.