Help! 1999 A/C not working. Tried recharge, Compressor works.

[jwe123]

1999 Beetle, the A/C doesn't work, blow out warm air.
Tried to recharge two cans of R134a, the gause on the recharge kit shows pressure is 28-29psi when A/C is on. The second can of R134A can't be fully depleted even I waiting more than 20 min and the pressure always stays at 28-29psi.

I can hear loud click sound when I turn on the A/C which means the compressor does work.

Anybody know what problem it could be? What's the next step to diagnose?

Thanks a lot!

[jwe123]

I checked the knob on the Center Console that adjust Cool/Hot air. The knob seems working fine, because if I turn it to Hot, it does blow out hotter air. It just doesn't blow cool air but normal warm air at Coolest posittion.

Does it mean the Blend Door is also fine? Is it possbile the Blend Air Door has problem?

Thanks.

[Smileybug]

Could be the blend door. Do you know if your cooling fans are working properly? Both should come on when the AC is on.

[jwe123]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Could be the blend door. Do you know if your cooling fans are working properly? Both should come on when the AC is on.

Thanks for your reply. So the Cool/Hot adjustment knob working doesn't mean Blend Door is fine?

How do I check if cooling fans are working? There is air blowing out, and the Fan Speed adjustment knob is also working. I can adjust air blowing speed by turning that knob.

[Smileybug]

Open the hood. Turn on the AC. See if the fans come on.

And no, the knob working doesn't necessarily mean the blend door is fine. There is foam on the door and it comes apart over time. I've started to have a few pieces come through my vents. So the door will work, but it won't seal all the way. More of an issue with the older cars ('98, '99, etc) simply due to age on the foam.

[jwe123]

Thanks for your detail answer.
Do you mean the two big fans at the very front of the card under the hood? Like this one? 1999-2002 Volkswagen Beetle Electric Cooling Fan - Flexalite

Yes, they are working fine. They come on when I start the engine not even start the A/C.

So it seems to be the Blend Door issue. How should I confirm it is indeed the Blend Door? Is this an easy fix? If not, how much would it cost to fix at a garage? Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Open the hood. Turn on the AC. See if the fans come on.

And no, the knob working doesn't necessarily mean the blend door is fine. There is foam on the door and it comes apart over time. I've started to have a few pieces come through my vents. So the door will work, but it won't seal all the way. More of an issue with the older cars ('98, '99, etc) simply due to age on the foam.

[macdave]

There should be someplace you can check the temps of the AC lines and see if they are cold and hot.

[antonym]

Look here to see if this helps: DIY: "How To" Fix Car blows only hot air or temperature control does not work.

Now... the knob will turn, but more important is what is going on at the blend door itself. You may to take a look with a good flashlight to check.

[Shep]

When the engine is cold, when you start the car fans should not be on. When you press the a/c button, Dial turned to vents, temp to cold, the rad fans should go into slow speed automatically. Also look in the engine compartment with the a/c turned on, the center part of the compressor, the clutch, should be spinning same speed as the pulley, and when you turn the a/c off, the center part should stop spinning.
Check that link out, you might be surprised to find the fuse panel on the battery box is corroded up (if you're lucky), there's also 2-3 other sensors that I never had to get into yet.
When you turn the a/c on and off, do you notice a change in the psi on the low side?
Did you locate the leak before you recharged it? That can also tell you where a problem might be.

[jwe123]

Thanks. Questions is where should I check the temps of the AC lines and how?

Originally Posted by macdave

There should be someplace you can check the temps of the AC lines and see if they are cold and hot.

[jwe123]

Thanks Antonym. I did look under the Center Console from Passenger side. Although it is quite difficult to put my head under the glove compartment, I managed to do it with a flashlight in hand. I did find the lever that control the blending of hot and cold air. When I turn the knob, the level is also moving. But I can't see the Blend Door from there. Even I can see it, I can't imagine to replace it with such small entrance. Maybe I should take off the glove compartment to access the area?

BTW, the link you provide mentioned some pics, but I can't see any pic in that page. Do you mind to post again?

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by antonym

Look here to see if this helps: DIY: "How To" Fix Car blows only hot air or temperature control does not work.

Now... the knob will turn, but more important is what is going on at the blend door itself. You may to take a look with a good flashlight to check.

[jwe123]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, you are right, when the engine is cold, the fan is not on and it is on when I turn on the A/C. The clutch is spinning same speed as the pulley when A/C is on.

I checked the fuse panel, they look perfect.

Yes, when I turn the a/c on and off, I do notice a change in the psi on the low side, from 28-29psi when A/C is on to above 40psi when A/C is off.

No, I did not check leak, the two cans of R134A I used had Stop Leak additives. Anyway, from the PSI, it shows at least there is good pressure and should blow out some cold air.

Can it be confirmed of Blend Door issue now?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Shep

When the engine is cold, when you start the car fans should not be on. When you press the a/c button, Dial turned to vents, temp to cold, the rad fans should go into slow speed automatically. Also look in the engine compartment with the a/c turned on, the center part of the compressor, the clutch, should be spinning same speed as the pulley, and when you turn the a/c off, the center part should stop spinning.
Check that link out, you might be surprised to find the fuse panel on the battery box is corroded up (if you're lucky), there's also 2-3 other sensors that I never had to get into yet.
When you turn the a/c on and off, do you notice a change in the psi on the low side?
Did you locate the leak before you recharged it? That can also tell you where a problem might be.

[antonym]

Thanks Antonym. No biggie.

I did look under the Center Console from Passenger side. Although it is quite difficult to put my head under the glove compartment, I managed to do it with a flashlight in hand. I did find the lever that control the blending of hot and cold air. When I turn the knob, the level is also moving. But I can't see the Blend Door from there. Did the lever have a space where it joins with the other part? If there is a space u may have that problem; if it is snug then it may be something else.

Even I can see it, I can't imagine to replace it with such small entrance. It is tricky but my write-up can help to make it work.

Maybe I should take off the glove compartment to access the area? Not until you are sure that is the problem. Also see D2Beetle's write up for more clarification: Blend Door DIY

BTW, the link you provide mentioned some pics, but I can't see any pic in that page. Do you mind to post again? Not sure why .. I am seeing the pics.

Thanks a lot! http://newbeetle.org/forums/489669-post1.html