Air Con Compressor clutch

[bigjeeze]

Chaps

I just had my air con re gassed but so far no Air Con. It appears that the clutch solenoid is not working. I have a two pin plug on the compressor when I take it off and check with a meter there is voltage on one pin ( the other I think is the earth) when the air con is switched on. But it doesn't operate. Is it possible to remove the clutch to check the solenoid without having to lose the gas?

[Chrispb]

Have you checked the wiring on the 3 way switch behind O/S fog lamp and if you have manual aircon also check outside air switch behind grill.
As for checking solenoid with plug removed just supply a 12 V + & - to the clutch.

[gregers]

i know the clutch plate comes off COZ mine fell off.

if your compressor is fubared,i have 1 in my garage minus the clutch plate,i got hold of it for my old mk2 tdi.

[bigjeeze]

Thanks Chris  - I am short of room to access the plug so am wary of waving around a live feed!!as I just had a pacemaker fitted and am nervous of leccy.!!.  I will check the three way switch though.

Thanks for you offer Gregers - I may take you up on that - although as far as I can tell it isn't knackered - I can turn it both ways so it isn't seized.

[Chrispb]

Just to add if there's nothing obvious after looking at wiring a scan with VCDS may help pinpoint.

[bigjeeze]

I have checked the relay etc  - and there is power at the compressor when auto is selected so it's definitely the clutch solenoid that isn't working. So once again - can you take the clutch off the compressor in situ? If not then I will have to let the gas out and remove the whole thing.

Answers on a post card please!

[gregers]

if your talking about the clutch plate? then yes as mine fell off.
had come loose and started to bounce on the spindle luckily the plate is softer then the spindle because the hole on the plate had become elongated.
hence why i have another compressor without the clutch plate.

it was a very fiddly job m8,there was 2 of us working on it 1 from underneath holding the plate and 1 from the top doing the nut up etc,space is at best BLOODY TIGHT,but it is doable.

and as you already know you really shouldnt release the contents into atmosphere. 

[bigjeeze]

Thanks Gregers

Can't say that I am too concerned about the release of gas as if it leaks or a pipe fractures it's going there nayway so a little bit more ain't gonna make it much worse!!

[gregers]

tell that to the polar bears m8  .

as a forum we cant condone it,
as a realist as they say ..it happens.

[Mirez]

Lol, I *think* the no releasing thing is an outdated law (albeit still current) based on the old nasty A/C gas, again I think the newer gas is classed as 'safe'

[bigjeeze]

tell that to the polar bears m8  .

as a forum we cant condone it,
as a realist as they say ..it happens.

Grgers there are approximately 35 million cars in the UK  - if only 10 % have air con that's 3.5 million - if they all lose approximately 10% per annum and as an average they have 850 grams of gas then thats many thousands of tons of gas being vented in the UK alone - Believe me my few grams ain't gonna make any difference - and besides Polar bears are dangerous and are the prinicpal cause of the loss of the eskimo.

[alans]

Legislative issues aside should anybody just happen to be near an accidental discharge of refrigerant liquid/evaporating gas can cause really nasty injuries... so exactly the same as quite a lot of jobs we do on our cars then...

[gregers]

Grgers there are approximately 35 million cars in the UK  - if only 10 % have air con that's 3.5 million - if they all lose approximately 10% per annum and as an average they have 850 grams of gas then thats many thousands of tons of gas being vented in the UK alone - Believe me my few grams ain't gonna make any difference - and besides Polar bears are dangerous and are the prinicpal cause of the loss of the eskimo.

just dont breathe it in m8ty ive heard its nasty if you do??

  those poor polar bears