VW Passat Air Con Issues & more

Anacou

Hi All, hoping someone can offer some advice on this.

Have an 02 Passat 1.9 TDI for the past 9 yrs with very little issues. Can't afford to part with it at the moment! Had no hassle while vw were doing services etc but last year had a local guy do it (money!) and nothing and dramas since.

Have already been to a garage trying to find a leak that keeps pooling in the the rear passenger footwell in heavy rain - no solutions to that!!

Since the guy did the cv joints, & then tyres, been having issues with anti slip kicking in when going over 100. Also had original guy and garage check this out but no solutions!

And now my A/C is gone. In fairness I noticed during winter it wasn't heating, but we're dying in the car at the mo as its not cooling either! Its a climatronic system and I don't know what to do with it. You can hear the fan kick in but no difference in temp at all.

I can't afford to go to a garage again and pay for them to shrug their shoulders and say 'we can't find any faults so sure see how it goes'! Nor can I afford dealer prices to actually fix it. Obviously can't afford to change the car either!

Any ideas where I could any of this actually sorted at a reasonable price? I'm in the north Kildare area. Or should I just bite the bullet and go to a vw dealer?

Thanks

amg-slurp

Leak is 9/10 times the pollen filter housing blocked, or the housing damaged. It's in the bullhead at passengers side. Easy to spot...

Housing and seal is about €30 or so if damaged. Get done ASAP as there's a control unit under floor passenger side that will get damaged soon if waters collects there.

CV joint change more likely caused ABS problem, ABS ring damaged or incorrectly fitted joint causing the sensor to read wrong or sensor just not seated correctly.

Easy fix for any decent mechanic probably.

AC issue is possibly just the AC system needing a regas/service. About €80 for a service (check over and re-gas) in main dealer. Possibility damaged pipe at some stage, which released the gas so a check over is no harm.

Anacou

amg-slurp wrote: »

Leak is 9/10 times the pollen filter housing blocked, or the housing damaged. It's in the bullhead at passengers side. Easy to spot...

Housing and seal is about €30 or so if damaged. Get done ASAP as there's a control unit under floor passenger side that will get damaged soon if waters collects there.

CV joint change more likely caused ABS problem, ABS ring damaged or incorrectly fitted joint causing the sensor to read wrong or sensor just not seated correctly.

Easy fix for any decent mechanic probably.

AC issue is possibly just the AC system needing a regas/service. About €80 for a service (check over and re-gas) in main dealer. Possibility damaged pipe at some stage, which released the gas so a check over is no harm.

Hi, Thanks a million for that - actually been shouting to all about the pollen filter and the leak but nobody doing anything about it!! Came across it on the web! AND been shouting about the cv joints and abs also but again, no joy!! Maybe its a woman thing!!

Do you reckon I'd be as well off go to a dealer at this stage and just get it sorted? Just worried about the price tag! Mind you, I'd probably have it paid for at this stage with all the messing about with others :mad:

Thanks again

amg-slurp

Anacou wrote: »

Hi, Thanks a million for that - actually been shouting to all about the pollen filter and the leak but nobody doing anything about it!! Came across it on the web! AND been shouting about the cv joints and abs also but again, no joy!! Maybe its a woman thing!!

Do you reckon I'd be as well off go to a dealer at this stage and just get it sorted? Just worried about the price tag! Mind you, I'd probably have it paid for at this stage with all the messing about with others :mad:

Thanks again

I work for a VW garage in Navan, don't know if that's feasible for you..not sure rules on naming or advertising but you can PM or use the google machine

I reckon get VW dealer to sort it all, cos they are familiar with these cars, will find ur leak straight away I'd imagine, and check ABS, very little labour involved probably.
Then it's €80 for A/C , with us anyway.

Anacou

Cheers, yeah, that would be great.

Wheelnut

Anacou wrote: »

Have already been to a garage trying to find a leak that keeps pooling in the the rear passenger footwell in heavy rain - no solutions to that!!


And now my A/C is gone. In fairness I noticed during winter it wasn't heating,

You seem to be on your way with the offer of help, b ut I would point out to the lads here that the water is pooling in the REAR footwell, I think that ECU is in the front footwell. A leak in the rear footwell may not be the pollen filter.

That failure to heat last winter is a separate and different problem from the A/C.

Anacou

Wheelnut wrote: »

You seem to be on your way with the offer of help, b ut I would point out to the lads here that the water is pooling in the REAR footwell, I think that ECU is in the front footwell. A leak in the rear footwell may not be the pollen filter.

That failure to heat last winter is a separate and different problem from the A/C.

Tks, any ideas welcome - this leak issue has been going on for AGES. Is the ECU the 'black box' (as I call it) thats under the passenger seat? Battery tray has been checked & also drains on doors. Last garage really sort of threw their hat at it and said I could spend a fortune in trying to fine where its coming from. I know the pollen filter hasn't been done in a few yrs, and there is a crack on the facia close to one of the wipers!

How does the a/c heating differ from the cooling? The Econ setting will heat (or at least did in winter) but obviously way more slowly than the AUTO did.

Wheelnut

Anacou wrote: »

How does the a/c heating differ from the cooling? The Econ setting will heat (or at least did in winter) but obviously way more slowly than the AUTO did.

I took it that you meant the heater wasn't working. The hot or cold air (depending on function selected) comes out of the same place but the heating and cooling are two different processes.

Anacou

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but the saga continues.

Is there anyone out there who has any ideas on how to sort this? I've been been to garage twice, independent mech who replaced cv joints twice, an just had a MAJOR amount of work done in dealers who still have no fix for these two issues:

* Major issues with anti slip kicking in when going over 100 since CV joints were done. This week, after some major work in VW dealer, incl brake discs & pads & cv booth, the anti slip seems worse than ever. Feels like the wheels are braking independently & randomly, with or without anti slip coming on. Frankly its a bit scary at times, as I always have kids in the car! Have now had this investigated 5 times, including most recently a VW dealer, and I still have no answers. There is no fault showing and its only happening around 100 mls plus. ANY IDEAS? I think most mech's think I'm making it up cos they won't take the car out on a good run!!

* water pooling in the the rear passenger footwell - now its been dry for a while so will have to wait an see but got no answers as to what it might be.

And yes, I know I should just flog it and move on but I just can't afford it. There's only 120K mls on it and I've just had timing belt and an awful lot more done!

Any help most welcome

MAJJ

If I was in your position I would contact George Dalton who is a big contributor on these forums and in the Midlands. Posts a lot about VW cars. Check out his posts and Google his business. I have no connection with him as don't live near otherwise I'd be a customer.

Hope you get sorted, scary to hear those issues especially with the family on board.

Anacou wrote: »

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but the saga continues.

Is there anyone out there who has any ideas on how to sort this? I've been been to garage twice, independent mech who replaced cv joints twice, an just had a MAJOR amount of work done in dealers who still have no fix for these two issues:

* Major issues with anti slip kicking in when going over 100 since CV joints were done. This week, after some major work in VW dealer, incl brake discs & pads & cv booth, the anti slip seems worse than ever. Feels like the wheels are braking independently & randomly, with or without anti slip coming on. Frankly its a bit scary at times, as I always have kids in the car! Have now had this investigated 5 times, including most recently a VW dealer, and I still have no answers. There is no fault showing and its only happening around 100 mls plus. ANY IDEAS? I think most mech's think I'm making it up cos they won't take the car out on a good run!!

* water pooling in the the rear passenger footwell - now its been dry for a while so will have to wait an see but got no answers as to what it might be.

And yes, I know I should just flog it and move on but I just can't afford it. There's only 120K mls on it and I've just had timing belt and an awful lot more done!

Any help most welcome

Anacou

Cheers, will do that. Just sick to the teeth of paying people to look at it and scratch their heads. It ain't no picnic when it happens and its now worse than ever for some reason!! I really though VW would sort it but NAY!!

_Puma_

I'm almost certain I have the same problem with my A/C unit. Did the trip to the dealer sort it and how much was it? Was thinking of bringing it in myself but would be good to know exactly what to tell them. Not to bothered about it in fairness so would want to spend to much on it.

There is 135k on my own, but has given me very little trouble. In fairness it has a full service history and been well maintained before I got it. Was Imported in from the UK circa 2006. Few niggley things with the electrics but mechanically been good!

Anacou

Hi, a/c is sorted - standard a/c service at dealer is €80 now bar finding leaks etc but mine was sorted with this. Found this particular dealer very good I must say, if only they sorted my anti slip issues

Wheelnut

MAJJ wrote: »

If I was in your position I would contact George Dalton who is a big contributor on these forums and in the Midlands...

I'd agree with that suggestion. I think George operates near Portlaoise and I see you're in North Kildare so you may not be too far from him.

Anacou

Thanks for the recommendation again. I will give the man a call and see what he says. I've no problem travelling that far as long as it'll be sorted. Every one thats looked at it so far though has been 'fully confident' what the issue is only to come back to me saying we tried x/y/z and sure see how it goes. None of them made a bit of difference. Same situation with my mysterious leak!!

I have to get 2 tyres on the back so might try that first and see if it makes any difference, although I doubt very much it will. Someone suggested just tapping in the abs rings a bit more as one might not be seated fully. So one of these day's I need to get under the car, find the rings in question and try that too.

Have just put a ton of money into it so its not going anywhere soon

SB6

Daltons have a very good reputation and do know there stuff. Definitely not a bad spot to go

But in relation to your leak....
Do you have a sun roof?
Has it ever been in a crash in that area that the water is in?

lab man

hi, by any chancedid you crack/ change bulbs in the back of your car there is a seal around the bulb glass that could be letting in the water happened me in a vw golf // just a thought

Anacou

SB6 wrote: »

Daltons have a very good reputation and do know there stuff. Definitely not a bad spot to go

But in relation to your leak....
Do you have a sun roof?
Has it ever been in a crash in that area that the water is in?

Thanks again, will give him a shout alright. No sun roof. No major crash damage bar being in middle of not so major pile up - front bonnet/grill & rear bumper replaced but was purely cosmetic. Lights weren't damaged.

lab man wrote: »

hi, by any chancedid you crack/ change bulbs in the back of your car there is a seal around the bulb glass that could be letting in the water happened me in a vw golf // just a thought

Don't think I've ever put a bulb in the back but will have a look at it tmro for any cracks etc. There is a bit of moisture build up I think in the rear lights but assumed it was just age etc.

From what I've read the pooling in the rear passenger footwell is normally down to pollen filter seal / battery tray drain but all are coming back clear. And after all the rain thats fallen in the past few days, its still dry! I had to scoop water out with a cup a few times during last winter it was so bad. Whether it'll stay dry or not now is anyone's guess!

SB6

Just for the hek of it the next time its wet in the footwell just lift the rear seat and check for water there. If its wet its probably coming from the rear panel.

Chimaera

Regarding the traction control issue, it's probably a dirty/contaminated wheel speed sensor. It's not uncommon after a CV joint replacement.

I had this happen on my Passat a few years ago after a CV joint was replaced.

The sensor is magnetic, so any metal particles dislodged during a repair/replacement of the CV joint can stick to it. These interfere with it's operation so the ABS and traction control go nuts. The fix is to pop the sensor out of the hub (it slides out though it will probably be stiff), clean it and pop it back in again. I like to put some copper grease on the sides of the sensor before refitting it to make removal easier in future.