MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: barlimow on May 23, 2012, 09:19:22 pm

Title: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 23, 2012, 09:19:22 pm
Well, we get a mini heat-wave, and my aircon died today. It's now just blowing air out of the vents, the a/c is not working at all. From a quick search, it appears that a/c compressors are a common issue, and very expensive!! Not happy!!

Has anyone had any recent experience of getting VW to pay for this out of the warranty period? Judging by the number of comments on this, it's hardly an isolated issue and obviously a quality fault in the compressor - no way should they only last 5 years. I'm almost thinking Sale of Goods Act / not fit for purpose, but I'm probably wrong. FWIW it's a 07, full VW SH etc.

Am I flogging a dead horse even talking to VW?

If I get nowhere, I will endeavour to get the contact details for the VW MD, and write to him/her to vent my frustration. After VW told me to f#ck off (in as many words) about my rusting windows (they're "trim") I am not in a happy place with VW at the moment.

Thanks for any replies.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Dan.b on May 23, 2012, 09:26:54 pm
Sorry to hear about the issue.

It's a 5 year old car so you cannot quote the not fit for purpose line.

Get it fixed and carry on mate. Going after VW will achieve nothing.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 23, 2012, 09:31:44 pm
I'm just ranting...

But i still don't think having to pay >£1000 (per previous threads) is acceptable on a 5 yr old car (and it's hardly an isolated failure).
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Dan.b on May 23, 2012, 09:35:17 pm
I know I feel the same. I work in the trade and see the dealers get away with a lot worse.

Get your current ac compressor repaired. Will cost a fraction of the new one.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Wolf Burger on May 23, 2012, 09:43:35 pm
This happened to me recently.

Wind the window down and take your shirt off! :signLOL:

i had a number for an air con repair place in Sheffield somewhere
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 24, 2012, 01:10:59 pm
I am making as assumption here of course that it's the compressor that has gone. I'm assuming it doesn't just need a recharge, based on the fact that the day before it was blowing icy cold and now suddenly nothing.

But just to check... I've just read here via a search that the fans behind the radiator should be spinning if the AC is working, but if they're not then the AC is shot. This may be really obvious when I look at the car (which is at home, I'm at work) but where am I looking for these? Thanks.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: omeydz on May 24, 2012, 02:24:15 pm
The documented issue with compressors is a whining sound thats related to the engine revs and it gets worse. I got mine done under warrenty. Its to do with metal filings shearing in the mechanism.

The fact yours has gone pop overnight means it may be something else, I suggest vagcom if you can access one to see if any fault codes appear.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Poppa Dom on May 24, 2012, 02:41:12 pm
Having had a lot of dealings with AC on my own Mk5 over the past few years, all of which I managed to get under warranty. I would suggest the following. Go to an AC specialist and get them to do a recharge, but check before doing so - ask them if they find a leak do they charge. My local AC company doesn't By doing so the UV dye they put in will identify any leaks. If no leaks it's £25 gone but a more informed position. The next thing I would be checking is the high pressure switch - a relatively cheap part. If it is the AC compressor then you can get some good brand new units from ebay.de for 2-300 euros and then fit. It is worth noting that if you do go back to VW and get a replcacement part - that will be warrantied by VW themselves so this is probably the route I would go for peace of mind. There are 2 different oem parts that VW use the Borg Warner compressor is the one to try and get hold of  :happy2:

hope this helps,

Dom
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: WT007 on May 24, 2012, 04:20:24 pm
Mine broke recently also it was fixed with a £65 switch. If you open you bonnet and look between the engine and the rad to the left hand side you should see it has a clip and wires on it..........good luck.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: mhurley on May 24, 2012, 04:55:20 pm
Well, we get a mini heat-wave, and my aircon died today. It's now just blowing air out of the vents, the a/c is not working at all. From a quick search, it appears that a/c compressors are a common issue, and very expensive!! Not happy!!

Has anyone had any recent experience of getting VW to pay for this out of the warranty period? Judging by the number of comments on this, it's hardly an isolated issue and obviously a quality fault in the compressor - no way should they only last 5 years. I'm almost thinking Sale of Goods Act / not fit for purpose, but I'm probably wrong. FWIW it's a 07, full VW SH etc.

Am I flogging a dead horse even talking to VW?

If I get nowhere, I will endeavour to get the contact details for the VW MD, and write to him/her to vent my frustration. After VW told me to f#ck off (in as many words) about my rusting windows (they're "trim") I am not in a happy place with VW at the moment.

Thanks for any replies.


I bought a 55 plate in 2010. Discovered the following summer that the compressor was kaput.
Had the funds this year to get it repaired. I found www.sinspeed.co.uk the cheapest about £245 inc delivery for a compressor
My local garage fitted it and regassed it for £150...

http://www.sinspeed.co.uk/store/volkswagen-golf-mk5-air-conditioning-compressor.html
Title: Re: Re: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: jason_rmh on May 24, 2012, 06:20:26 pm
Mine broke recently also it was fixed with a £65 switch. If you open you bonnet and look between the engine and the rad to the left hand side you should see it has a clip and wires on it..........good luck.
Where did u get the switch from?
I need one for mine but was told they are not available separately.
Jas
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: KC_Gti on May 24, 2012, 06:53:14 pm
Read this topic the other day and thought, crap wonder if my air con works, AND guess what, hot day today, thought I'd cool down and this is what I got..Hot air and a lotting of hissing (and swearing), quick clip




From what i've read it sounds like a compressor issue, thoughts?... :sad1:
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: omeydz on May 24, 2012, 07:22:33 pm
If the sound changes and gets higher pitched with revving then its your compressor
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: DSG-GTI on May 24, 2012, 08:53:12 pm
I have just had the very same thing with mine... 58 reg with 33000 miles on the clock... I had it re-gassed and pressure tested, the fella that did it said it was low on gas but not empty maybe 250 grams left in it and should of still worked with that amount in.... he did say that the compressors seem to give trouble on MK5 Golfs, tried it a few days and it seemed to work now and then but eventually gave up totally. I bought it from a VW dealer in Shrewsbury so Booked it in for them to have a look at it under warranty... They even ordered a new compressor before It went in which tells me they already had a good idea that it would be needing one... Took it over to them and they confirmed it was the compressor and fitted a new unit and re-gassed it. Not good on a 3 and a half year old car just glad I never got the bill for it.

I think someone else has said it but the engine fans do run when the system is running,  I would get the gas and leak test done before you condemn the compressor though... you never know  :smiley:

Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 24, 2012, 09:38:39 pm
Thanks all.

From a previous thread, it said to check if the fans behind the radiator were working when the AC was on. They don't. Which apparantly is the compressor?

Checked on the my other VAG car, and sure enough, when the AC is on the fan is working; turn the AC off and the fan goes off.

So I suspect it's the compressor. But good call on getting Kwik Fit or someone (that says you don't pay if no improvement) to do a recharge first, just to eliminate that (but given that it was working fine 2 days ago I suspect is not the case).

(ps. what I don't understand about AC servicing is everyone saying that it needs doing every 2 years - my other VAG car (10 yrs old, 70k miles) has never been done and the AC is icy cold still).
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Gazza747 on May 24, 2012, 10:10:40 pm
I had no A/C recently and checked the fans with the A/C switched on. The fans weren't spinning so I thought it might be the compressor. Took it to VW, they diagnosed it as a faulty high pressure switch that was cause the gas to leak out. They fitted the switch, about £100 to supply and fit but was done under warranty, now all working.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 24, 2012, 10:14:19 pm
Thanks, useful. I assume it was a used car warranty you have then?
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: DSG-GTI on May 24, 2012, 10:20:50 pm
The fans will only come on if the compressor is being energized... If you do have a faulty pressure sensor or low pressure then they wont come on... worth getting it tested for gas first m8.

Agree with you on the 2 year re gas... i have just swapped my mk4 150 gti diesel after owning it for the best part of 9 years... re gassed once and worked flawless in all them years  :confused:
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: laserblue999 on May 24, 2012, 10:23:51 pm
Same with me - it's that time of year again............. warm air and resorted to windows down. Will be checking fans and hissing tomorrow  :scared: Hope its just  regas/leak or switch.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 24, 2012, 10:24:46 pm
The fans will only come on if the compressor is being energized... If you do have a faulty pressure sensor or low pressure then they wont come on... worth getting it tested for gas first m8.
Will do, cheers.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: DSG-GTI on May 24, 2012, 10:30:54 pm
I have been told that the worst thing that you can do is not use it... something to do with the oil they add to the gas lubricating the internals and seals...  I used to leave my MK4 on auto all year round and will be doing the same with the MK5 ... we will see if this one last now a new compressor has been fitted  :scared:
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: barlimow on May 24, 2012, 10:46:54 pm
I have been told that the worst thing that you can do is not use it...
Mine is on every day rain or shine. Still knackered.
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: DSG-GTI on May 25, 2012, 08:27:06 am
Oh well that must be a load of B#####s as well .... new compressors every 2 years then  :scared:
Title: Re: Aircon died - any recent experiences?
Post by: Gazza747 on May 25, 2012, 10:07:46 am
Thanks, useful. I assume it was a used car warranty you have then?

Yes, 12 month VW warranty