A?C recharged but not working

[Nj]

This is my W reg A6 by the way. HAsn't been very cold since I bought the car a few months ago. Finally got into Kwik fit for a regassing yesterday and after sitting about for ages the guy git me outside to check they had the A/C set properly. They had. Problem is it's holding the gas but not going cold. He revved the engine and said something about not hearing a clutch engage. I have no idea what he meant though so I nodded sagely and went "ah right. yes. mm-hmm" and buggrd off.

Can anyone enlighten me? I've never had a car with A/C before and have no idea what's going on.

cheers

[BRY]

The A/C needs the compressor to engage for it to cool. The compressor is run off a drive belt from the crank, controlled by a clutch, if the clutch doesn't work then the compressor won't work and neither will the A/C.

[S2central.net]

Yep - Bry is right... The clutch itself is an electromagnetic doobry. It might have failed, or one of various sensors around the AC system is telling the controller that something is wrong and to keep it turned off.

For example if the ambient air temp is too cold then the AC will not startup... Or if it thinks the low pressure side or high pressure side as inordinantly low or high pressure... There are a number of switches around the AC which provide that info. You should check around the AC plumbing that all those connectors are attached properly.

The sensors/switches themsleves are coloured so with a DMM you can quickly check if they are open or closed... I should have some factory info around that will determine if any of them are pointing at something.

Is yours a manual AC system (3 knobs and 2 x buttons) or the digital climate control ?


Paul

[s2driveruk]

I had to replace the compressor on my 2001 A6 this summer due to a siezed pully and the clutch sheared off.......presume i haven't had any baaaaaaaad knocking or associated noises? Unfortunately the a4/a6 suffer from common compressor failure (sh*t for a german car IMO).

Do the colling fans kick in when the climate is turned on?

[Nj]

edit: oops. started typing and didn't hit send for half an hour, then read the other replies.

paul - it's digital mate. any info will be very much appreciated
David - do you mean the fans that cool the main radiator? I hadn't checked actually. What does that tell me then?
I reckon i'm being a bit stupid. I probably have to follow the hoses and components to get my head round how it all works. So the clutch is part of the compressor or attached to it?

thanks lads

[s2driveruk]

Noel, read here to see the clutch http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26500

as for the fans, I would guess its telling you that youmight have a switch or fuse issue if the colling fan(s) don't fire up...I seem to remember flicking the dipped beams over for european driving and knocked a plug near to the p/steering reservoir, that killed my climate control...simple wiggle about and it sprung back into life again.

HTH

David

[Nj]

aha! thanks matey. where's the compressor located on the 1.8t then? I assume it's strapped down to the side of the block along with all the other pulleys and belts?
i'd be chuffed if it turned out to be a plug popped out. It would be my new hot tip for a free A/C regassing at kwik fit

[s2driveruk]

probably sat on the left (looking at the front of the car) of the block...remove the belly pan and you should be able to see it.

If it does turn out to be the clutch, this might be worth checking the family album for compatibility

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDI-A4-A6-CLU...3286.m20.l1116

NCTS however I have bought lots of stuff from David and he is a gent and top ebayer if that helps!

David

[Nj]

cheers matey. recommendation works for me. I'll investigate the clutch and see if i'm needing a new one then. I'm getting the timing belt and water pump done soon so if need be I might as well add the A/C clutch in too.

[s2bug]

Give Klaus a shout at AutoAircon Direct 07973 252 531

Very helpfull!

gets the Big thats form sure

[Nj]

Give Klaus a shout at AutoAircon Direct 07973 252 531

Very helpfull!

gets the Big thats form sure

cheers. where's he located mate?