07 MKV GTI - Air Conditioning: Mixed results/

[Mrs Speed]

In case this helps anyone, I was having trouble with my recently bought Mk5 R32's air, if I set the temperature myself and told it to blow face and feet the cold air would take FOREVER to come out, I had it re-gassed thinking it might have been low, but the same problem kept happening, I was going to take it back to the mechanic to check it out, however fiddling with it over the holidays we found that if I press the auto air button the cold air would come out pretty much straight away, from there I can select the fan speed manually myself once the cold air started coming out.

[tomgti]

Hi again - My valve arrived this week, so today I got stuck into it. HOWEVER, turns out, it doesn't look like my valve is the culprit! When I unplugged the electrical compressor plug, I noticed that the pins inside (on the wiring loom plug) look to be corroded! Anyone know where I'd get this plug from ? Thinking scrap yard, but they probably wouldn't want me cutting the plug off their loom..

ALSO - Turns out my compressor is the VALEO brand (VW original) .. noticed that there is also a VALEO sticker on the radiator. A quick google search suggested that these were later swapped out by VW for the Sanden brand..

[tomgti]

By the way- if anyone is looking for a valve, i just might be selling my brand new one now!

EDIT: Brand new Valve for Sanden compressor now on ebay!

[tomgti]

So, if anyone else comes across needing a new loom plug, you can get a plug for the wiring loom for about 12 bucks from VW!
I found a local supplier for the valve to suit VALEO/ZEXEL brand compressor - costs about 120 bucks.
There are some on ebay and Alibaba overseas for around $90-$100.. (even some on alibaba for 20-30 bucks delivered), but not sure if I can be bothered waiting and sorting through the alibaba scammers. Might just go with the local supplier and get the job done over the weekend coming!
Spare SANDEN valve if anyone is in need PM me

[David F]

I'm also hoping to fix the aircon on wife's 07 2.0 l TDI Golf. But I've got no skills ( or interest) in doing any of this myself.
I'm hoping the valve mentioned above might be the culprit.
I'd love to find someone in Melbourne who's first offer won't be the $1000 compressor replacement - any suggestions? ( Preferably S/E suburbs. )
But I'd like to pursue the valve thing myself, obviously need to identify the compressor brand. Is it possible to see the compressor label or anything else which identifies it without dismantling stuff?

[jets]

Is it possible to see the compressor label or anything else which identifies it without dismantling stuff?

Scroll down to post #19
Mark 5 2.0 TDI (2008) Air con issue

[aussieco]

I just had my compressor replaced on my R32.
They have to pull the whole front of the car apart just to get to it, so asked if anything else needed replacing whilst they were doing this.
New compressor works a treat. Sanden.
They said they are doing 2 a week at the moment. (Golf)

[tomgti]

Hi guys, to close out this thread on my side of things, I ended up buying a new VALEO/ZEXEL valve from a local supplier for around $120. The Sanden valve that I bought off eBay, because I was too lazy to check which compressor I actually had, was obviously wrong, so I just on-sold it on eBay again.


My issue was not actually the common RCV getting stuck, as when I went to change it I noticed that one of the pins inside the valve for the electrical connection had actually corroded/snapped off and was sitting inside the plug on the wiring loom end!
I was able to use a paperclip to remove the broken pin from the loom.

Unfortunately my valve wasn't as easy to get out as what some have made out! There were hoses in the way and the angle was way too tight and hard to see where I was putting the circlip pliers.. So I ended up removing a few hoses and dropping the compressor out most of the way, so I could more easily work the snap ring.
Eventually I got it. I ended up changing the valve. Regassed.
Results...Aircon now works every time and it's ice cold!

Funny - every air-con mechanic I went to (4 in total) TOLD me that I would be up for a new compressor and that I should just 'be done with it and change it', even when I suggested changing the valve, they weren't interested - obviously not much money in it for them.

Good luck.

[jessv3]

Funny - every air-con mechanic I went to (4 in total) TOLD me that I would be up for a new compressor and that I should just 'be done with it and change it', even when I suggested changing the valve, they weren't interested - obviously not much money in it for them.

Same thing keeps happening to me, it is very frustrating. Does anyone know a workshop or person in Sydney who will actually check & replace the RCV valve rather than promptly tell me I need a new compressor (without even opening the bonnet). I am willing to travel if it will save me 2k.