AC system not working

[troublednewbeetle]

After browsing I did not see anybody who has had the same problem as I am having. The AC system on my 99 NB does not work, neither does the vent fan. When the knob is turned to 1,2,3 or 4 the fan does not turn on. When the AC button is pushed it does not light up, the recirculating button will light up when pushed. The illumination lights works on all AC controls, so the panel is getting power. I've checked the AC fuses (all the fuses actually, previous owner lost the fuse chart) all are fine. The cooling fans fuse is ok, and the cooling fan is getting power. The AC condenser is also getting power. I have checked everything but the blower motor because I can not find it. Where is the blower motor located, and does anybody have any other ideas on what could be causing my problem? Thanks!
-G

[gadgetvise]

last wednesday, it was 80 degrees and the Astrovan's AC did not kick in. Low R134 pressure?

I bought one of the Qwest recharge kits with 3 each R134A high milage (van has 134,000 miles). The recharge was pretty simple.

WARNING: Be sure to ID the low pressure side of your AC system.

SAFETY: Wear safety glasses and some work gloves.

Tools needed: thermometer that reads from 0-250 degrees. I use spouses's candy thermometer. Kit comes with three cans of R134a with stop leak, recharge hose with gauge.

Start the engine. Set the AC to MAX AC. On mine, I noticed the compressor clutch was not pulled in. Near the hose connector was the connector to the low pressure compressor safety switch. I disconnected the electrical connector and jumped the connections to see if the compressor would kick in. It did so I connected the line back to the dryer.

Remove the plastic cap on the LOW pressure side. Usually mounted on the dryer cylinder. Connect the quick connect end of the recharge part of the hose to the low pressure connector.
Screw the can on to the valve end of the hose. Turn the valve about 20 turns clockwise (CW) until you can feel the valve puncture the can seal. Your gauge will read in the low end green area of the gauge. Turn the valve about 7 turns counterclockwise (CCW) and turn the can upside down. (I held the can upside down with a vice grip to the valve.)

On my van, the line felt cold while the AC was sucking the R134 in. When the line is nolonger cool, it's empty (weigh the empty can compared to the full can, youu see. As the R134 got into the system, the compressor was kicking in and out as pressure built up in the system. Before disconnecting the first can, turn the valve about 20 turns CCW so the valve is fully out of the can. Turn the can slowly and you will hear a hiss as the bit of R134 escapes seal of the valve.

With the second can of R134, the compressor was cycling less frequently. With the third can, the compressor was happy and stayed on. When the can was emptied, I turned the valve fully CCW and the gauge was in the green zone reading about 37 psi base on ambient temp at 65 degrees. I added a fourth can cause the van has a back cooling unit.

Drive around for about half an hour, I shut off three of the front vents and measured the temp to about 40 degrees. When I got home I kept the engine running and measured the vents at the back of the van, it was at the same as the front vents.

Hope this might help you. I plan to get a manifold gauge set to check the high/low side of the ac system.

BTW, the kit was $36 from Autozone and two extra cans cause the van has a long lines to the rear ac heat exchanger.

[99beetlefl]

Sounds like a bad a/c control head. Just check and make sure the blower motor isnt getting power.

I dont think this is a problem associated with low refrigerant charge

[phantom302]

I'll take a guess that the fan switch is bad, In mine at least if I turn the fan switch off, the A/C switch and recirculate buttons go dark. IMHO if the switch is bad it would cause the same condition as the switch being in the off position.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I would check the fuse .... the cooling fan fuses are on top the battery .... the Blower Fan fuse is in the car. It could also be the Comfort Control Module ... it usually causes other problems as well as the A/C.

[troublednewbeetle]

It appears that it is the ac switch..... problem now is how do i disassemble the dash to verify that. i have taken apart the entire lower section of the dash. but can not get the upper center section loose. what do i need to do next?? thanks again for the advice.
-G

[SilverSportNOLA]

Well .... I haven't pulled mine ... but I know there are a few screws holding the center section on that require removal of the radio to get to.

[u2u2u2]

Originally Posted by gadgetvise

I disconnected the electrical connector and jumped the connections to see if the compressor would kick in. It did so I connected the line back to the dryer.

Could you please take a photo on this as I don't know which pin to be jumped. As stated in manual, there's four pins, however I check with my 00 1.8t aph , these is only 3 pins!!! What a @#$%^^!&**

[melblack]

Originally Posted by troublednewbeetle

After browsing I did not see anybody who has had the same problem as I am having. The AC system on my 99 NB does not work, neither does the vent fan. When the knob is turned to 1,2,3 or 4 the fan does not turn on. When the AC button is pushed it does not light up, the recirculating button will light up when pushed. The illumination lights works on all AC controls, so the panel is getting power. I've checked the AC fuses (all the fuses actually, previous owner lost the fuse chart) all are fine. The cooling fans fuse is ok, and the cooling fan is getting power. The AC condenser is also getting power. I have checked everything but the blower motor because I can not find it. Where is the blower motor located, and does anybody have any other ideas on what could be causing my problem? Thanks!
-G

troublednewbeetle, I have the exact same problem with my 2000 Beetle. Can you tell me what the problem ended up being? I'm not sure I followed all the responses. did you say it was an A/C switch? If so, would that keep the blower from blowing even if A/C button is off?

[melblack]

on 2000 NB, the fan stopped blowing or working, whether or not the a/c is pushed in. a/c button doesn't illuminate, but all fuses are good (even ones over the battery).

same exact problem posted by troublednewbeetle, but i don't see exactly what the fix was.

don't want to go near the dealer (only one is our half of the state!) as every time we have, it's been a bad experience (a little competition would be a good thing there).

Thanks!
Ken Black

[SilverSportNOLA]

Could be the comfort control module ... mine went out a few years ago and I had some of those same problems. It is just a black box under the dash .... like a relay. Was not too expensive. Do a search for that module here and see what others say.

[Paradoxx]

Is good to be back! Im having the same problem, I have read all the thread and tonight im looking for that module and checking the switch.

[melblack]

I tested the blower and it's not getting power (but I was able to run it from a separate power source, so it does work).

Also no voltage to the blower motor resister, so it should be okay, so I'm thinking it has to be the switch or the Comfort Control Module.

I pulled the control module, and the switch looked okay, but not sure what I would see if it was defective. Others said a metal piece breaks off, but I didn't see a metal piece?

I wonder what the chances are whether its the controls (switch) or the comfort control module? Which to try first?

Anyone know more about what the comfort control module looks like/ is found?

Thanks for all the help!

[u2u2u2]

Up!!!!

[u2u2u2]

Please help on this!!!!

[u2u2u2]

Anyone pls give it an update,pls!!1

[Jeremy Toaster]

I am having all these same problems as well, I have bought and replaced both the blower motor and the blower motor resistor and just got new compressor and drier set up, as well as a few other things.

The "comfort control module" is on the top of the dash area, the opposite side of the internal air filter I believe. You need to take the curved center dash piece off, then unscrew and pop out the long wide smooth flat black curved top dash pieces. It should be right up front left between the steering wheel and the windshield.

Just looked on eBay, there are none available for the Beetle, but some for the Jetta and are being asked for around $120 average...guess I'll have to get this too!....poooooootato......


*Edit by noR: no obscene language allowed.

[Jeremy Toaster]

convenience control unit/module

Ok this post says the unit is somewhere else...so maybe I was wrong, or maybe in my 1998 Beetle, this is where mine is. There is some black box up there where I stated before.

[u2u2u2]

Originally Posted by gadgetvise

...I noticed the compressor clutch was not pulled in. Near the hose connector was the connector to the low pressure compressor safety switch. I disconnected the electrical connector and jumped the connections to see if the compressor would kick in. ...

Could anyone make it a little bit clear as i have no idea which pin should be jumped to force the compressor kickedin.

thanks!

[u2u2u2]

Originally Posted by u2u2u2

Could anyone make it a little bit clear as i have no idea which pin should be jumped to force the compressor kickedin.

thanks!

Can anyone tell me which pin to be jumped, pls!!!