noticed last night the air circulation button not working

[grazuncle2]

Got in the car and screen steamed up with condensation (it was hot all day and car a lot cooler now) so pressed Air con and re-circulation buttons...

Air con worked straightaway but re-circulation light would not come on.. it demisted ok after a time but no re-circulation (or at least no light)

I often use the recirculate button if in traffic and don't want fumes entering.. perhaps it is working but no light?

Any ideas? Thanks

[Harrihealey02]

I believe if the car detects a high level of humidity via the humidity sensor in the air con unit it will not activate recirculating because that can cause more condensation. It usually settles after a while once the humidity in the interior stabilises. I’m not 100% sure though but that’s what my car does, mainly when the air is facing the windscreen. If it is set to blow from the main vents to the interior it usually works wherever I press it.

[grazuncle2]

This is very interesting information, thanks!

I just rolled the car out of the garage and put the ignition on.. I can get the air con light on any time (obviously) but the recirculate light only stays on when the air direction knob is set the 9 o'clock... screen and floor setting; If I turn it away from that setting it goes off.

At least I know it 'can' work.

perhaps the conditions really do affect it..?

[grazuncle2]

I believe if the car detects a high level of humidity via the humidity sensor in the air con unit it will not activate recirculating because that can cause more condensation. It usually settles after a while once the humidity in the interior stabilises. I’m not 100% sure though but that’s what my car does, mainly when the air is facing the windscreen. If it is set to blow from the main vents to the interior it usually works wherever I press it.

Ahhh you were on the right track here (RTM reminder) found this in my manual.. DUH!

[grazuncle2]

Went out late last night again and sure enough with a really cold car and warm breath it steamed up pretty quickly.

No recirculation light if air is directed to screen only with air con on .. however with the screen and footwell setting (9 o'clock) it was working fine.

At least I know now and can work with it and I don't need ot ask the service department to look at it and quote an exorbitant amount of money for fitting a flap motor..

My last Polo 9N3 let you do whatever you wanted with the controls hence the confusion. Thanks for the heads up on this forum i got a pointer in the right direction.. no pun intended.