2001 VDub Air Conditioner Motor

[ladyhawksguide]

The Motor on my 2001 VDub seems to have gone out! Just noticed the air was not cooling so I check the air conditioner and the motor is not turning. Does anyone know how to replace this yourself or how much I'm going to get screwed by the dealer to have them do it

Thanks for any help I can get!

Ladyhawksguide

[hannaco]

Before you do that, you should check a lot of other things. A few things to check would be:
Fluid level
high pressure switch
fan control module
cooling fans
a/c control switch
wire cable/plug to the a/c compressor
leaking hose

any of these can keep the a/c from working. A new a/c compressor from the dealer is going to cost your first born child. Suggest you contact a VW specialty shop or a/c shop for a checkup before just replacing things.

[ladyhawksguide]

Thank you - sounds like good advice...

When I turn the fan on it does turn on - but no cold air. and when I turn the air cond switch on - it's a no go

I'll have my son check the switch - almost every other plastic part on the car has gone bad already... unbelieveable that they would make this car with so many cheap parts - geeez.
I just had my window switch replaced not 2 months ago (the window just fell on its own - luckily it did not break) and now the driver side switch is breaking. and my check engine light has been a perpetual beacon since I got the car!!!

Thanks for the list of to-do's

We'll start our way there - and if none of those work - I'll have my first born take the darn thing to the junk yard! Just when I was going to try and trade it in and at least get $500 for it - now I'll have to pay them to take it off my hands!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I know drama queen!

[gilligan]

Did you check the fuse? the clutch for the air is electric.

[hannaco]

Good point. Not only that fuse, but the ones on top of the battery as well.

[GTRAFF]

For what it is worth, my daughter's NB A/C compressor just started making noise and I ordered a replacement from World Impex for $275. Also replacing the brake light switch and the valve cover gasket because of a small oil leak.

But I agree with others that there are several things that will prevent compressor from running such as fuses or low R134a charge. Also, I believe the radiator fans have to turn on before the A/C compressor will turn on.

[bugdreamsdocometrue]

Man!?! $275 for an A/C compressor? Kick A$$

For my 1991 Ford Ranger...$1400.

Well, with Cricket (that's the Ranger's name haha) having 250,000 miles on it, do YOU think it's worth $1400 to get a new a/c? ehh...NAH!!!

As for the OP question...I swear I think I remember somewhere that if you don't have enough refrigerant in the system, the fan won't run???

Is it possible to add some more...perhaps it's just out?

I'll check into that more tonight when hubby gets home. My Mercury Villager did *something* like that, and when we added refrigerant, it fixed it.

It was either low or the a/c switch was out, or both, but I don't want to steer you one way or the other without knowing for sure myself. haha

[BigRedOne98]

I have a similar problem. When selecting AC, the fan kicks in, but no cold air, and noticed the AC compressor is not cycling on and and off. There's AC compressor switch on the left side upper corner of the engine bay, the book says to unplug it and jump the terminals 1 and 2 to run the compressor, havnt tried that yet. Most likely if no refrigerant pressure in the line the AC compressor will not kick in.

[lucian]

The VW dealer quoted me for 650 USD (AC compressor + install).

[hannaco]

Ouch!
Try calling an a/c specialty shop for a quote.

[rcy]

Originally Posted by BigRedOne98

I have a similar problem. When selecting AC, the fan kicks in, but no cold air, and noticed the AC compressor is not cycling on and and off. There's AC compressor switch on the left side upper corner of the engine bay, the book says to unplug it and jump the terminals 1 and 2 to run the compressor, havnt tried that yet. Most likely if no refrigerant pressure in the line the AC compressor will not kick in.

As someone already mentioned, make sure the 30amp fuse in the fuse box on top of the battery is not blown (or the fuse box itself has not melted). Do a search on the old forums for this - lotsa ppl had this problem. There are 3 (on my car anyway) green 30amp fuses in there and one of them controls the cooling fans. If the cooling fans don't come on, the A/C will not come on to prevent the system pressure from rising too high. This is an easy thing to check before you start messing around with jumping A/C switches, checking refrigerant pressures etc etc.

[GTRAFF]

As I mentioned earlier in this thread I ordered a new compressor from World Impex. It arrived in 3 days and was the exact same model as was on the car! Again, $275, ordered on-line. I replaced the one on the car and it cools again just fine. Also replaced the valve cover gasket because of an oil leak and the vacuum hoses that attach behind the manifold just in case they were leaking. The compressor won't run if it is low on freon.

[BigRedOne98]

Originally Posted by rcy

As someone already mentioned, make sure the 30amp fuse in the fuse box on top of the battery is not blown (or the fuse box itself has not melted). Do a search on the old forums for this - lotsa ppl had this problem. There are 3 (on my car anyway) green 30amp fuses in there and one of them controls the cooling fans. If the cooling fans don't come on, the A/C will not come on to prevent the system pressure from rising too high. This is an easy thing to check before you start messing around with jumping A/C switches, checking refrigerant pressures etc etc.

My Fans do kick in, when selecting AC.

[hannaco]

That switch you need to check is the high pressure switch. Just short pins 1 & 2 with a paper clip. If the compressor clutch does not engage, then you may have other problems. Check the wire harness going to the back of the compressor.

[rcy]

Originally Posted by BigRedOne98

My Fans do kick in, when selecting AC.

I'd suggest getting your system pressures checked next, then.

[cbutz]

You replaced the compressor? Is that a very complicated procedure? Can you please discuss how you did it? Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[geniushanbiao]

Well the A/C clutch not engaging doesn't mean your compressor is bad. There is a high pressure switch in the line which works like if the refrigerant pressure falls below a certain point the switch will turn off the compressor in order to protect it. Therefore in order to test the compressor or fill refrigerant you need to short the switch. You can find the method on Haynes manual or Bentley. If the compressor clutch still doesn't engage after you short the switch then the clutch is bad. Keep in mind that you can't run it for too long with low refrigerant because it will damage your compressor. Fill the refrigerant and PAG-46 oil as soon as possible and check for leaks. If there's a leak you probably have to evacuate the whole system after you fix the leakage.

Originally Posted by ladyhawksguide

The Motor on my 2001 VDub seems to have gone out! Just noticed the air was not cooling so I check the air conditioner and the motor is not turning. Does anyone know how to replace this yourself or how much I'm going to get screwed by the dealer to have them do it

Thanks for any help I can get!

Ladyhawksguide