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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- This video shows how I fixed the air conditioner on my daughter's 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. The problem turned out to be nothing more than a fuse (thank goodness), but a lot of car repair places would have charged big bucks for this. I probably saved a few hundred dollars. I've gotten some feedback from people who have seen this video that Beetles and Passats have this same issue. Just about any VW with a 2.0 liter engine has a similar fuse box setup in the engine bay, and that that one fuse tends to accumulate some carbon buildup on the little blades. Eventually electricity can't pass through the fuse and then the A/C clutch won't pull in. No A/C clutch means no air conditioning.
This is apparently a very common problem. On various Volkswagen forums people have mentioned that this happened to them, too. I bet at most dealerships this fuse is the very first thing they check when a car with air conditioner problems comes into the shop. I also bet they still charge the outrageous diagnostic fee.
Hi I have my bora almost 5 years and none of the mechanics had any idea why my air conditioning wasn't working to this day. I watched this video and checked the three fuses and one of them had melted and was black. I changed it and it works now.
I'm so happy it's so nice ride with air condition on. Thanks again
Just fixed my dad's AC with this, video is 10 years old but is still helping people 👍
Worked!!! I didn't even need a new fuse I pulled the old one hit it with a nylon brush to clean it than put it back in. This is gold!
just finished watching another you tube video about a/c issues on vw's. He suggests checking the fuses like you but then checking the 384 relay which can be found behind the fuse panel on the drivers side. he noted that he was nearly positive that especially for intermittent working a/c's that the relay will be the fix you need! I appreciate the public service you did by sharing your experience. Love My VW!
Do you have the video name?
Got same problem today on the freway in Arizona. I panicked a little. Got home and found your video. I got a 2003 Golf. Checked the fuse and it was ok, it looked like new. Changed the fuse with one of the other 2 and my A/C worked perfect. Went and got myself a new fuse and everything is good now!!! Thank you so much for your video!
That goes for me too man. My AC quit today when it hit 90 degrees and I had a day of highway driving ahead of me. Your video made my day. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Yay!!! My fuse wasn’t burnt, the fuse box is in good shape. I pulled the fuse to check it and it came apart-just broke apart. Put a new one in, and voila-air conditioning and both fans worked which were not working at all. Found a coolant leak while in there so will look for that tomorrow. So happy to have ac again!!!
Thank you Sam!!! This repair shop quoted me $900 for a new compressor for my 2003 GTI. I spent $3.50 for a box of 30amp fuses and got my a/c back!!! Thank you so much!!!
I had the same problem. And, I was also tricked because the fuse wasn't actually blown. Thanks.
So grateful for viewing this video before mentally preparing to shell out $800+ for a new A/C system. My 30A fuse was burned when I took it out (looked alright on the top, just like you mention). Put in a replacement and I now have A/C again. Thank you!
No problem! Glad I could help!
That was my exact problem. Same 30 amp fuse. Thank you Sam. Only 1 day with no AC. Very simple.
Thank you - saved a trip to the shop not to mention money.
went all of last summer and so far this year w/ no a/c. Just cleaned the carbon off the fuse and boom. a/c is working. you are awesome!
Awesome. That fixed my AC on my 2002 Jetta. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. You saved a lot of people time and money.
This fixed my 2003 Jetta 2.0 with just over 200K miles. Thanks!
Best way I have found to nix this problem, is to replace the alternator to battery cable with a larger gauge one. Then, go ahead and replace the fuse box on top of the battery. Make sure the replacement fuse block had snug fitting fuse contacts and lube with a little dialectric grease. When that cable starts cooking and the resistance goes up, so does the current. Everything gets punished until something fails. I think it may be such a slow event, that the current hovers just below the threshold of the fuse, so the actual 30A fuse block then melts, and contact is lost without even blowing the fuse. I had trouble with this ,off and on, for years on my wife's Golf. I replaced the cable and original block (on battery) , and haven't had one problem for almost 10 years. Hope this helps someone.
Got in my 2002 golf this morning and its a hot day in Queensland AUS. Air-con wasn't cold. Followed this video and I had the same problem. And after paid $3 for a pack of 5 fuses. All Fixed. You Champion. Cheers mate!
Unbelievable!!!! THIS WORKED GREAT!!!!!! THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER FOR POSTING THIS!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you sir! After taking it to the AC shop, they said it was an electrical problem....then the VW dealer guy said get a new compressor....and seals....I then did more research and finally found your video....went out this morning and found that fuse to be slightly melted and bad...flipped it around and it worked! Heading to the auto store to get a new one in a bit. Thanks for your video friend!
I have to add my heartfelt thanks to your comments. Bless people like you who post these simple fixes that the average car owner would have no way of ever figuring out on their own. My ac went out in the blistering heat of arizona last week. I drive for income and I was becoming physically sick from heat exhaustion. Too short on cash to face a compressor failure I found your video. Same thing...fuse charred black. I replaced it and all is good now. You are the best. I just can't thank you enough!!!
Hey man you saved me over $800!!! I just spent $5 on a fuse and replaced it. I had the same exact problem omg. I’m so glad it’s something small like this and not the compressor or anything else. My Jetta has had AC problems since brand new (2001). Every 2-3 years if needs some relaid or another for the AC. It needed a compressor 2 years ago, before that it needed a new evap and condenser. 2 years before that it needed another compressor. And it just keeps going on like that. I figured it was something like that again but the fuse was totally charred!! I cleaned up the socket best I could and replaced the fused. Everything works now. Funny because the fuse looked totally fine from the top and it checked out using the multimeter.
Btw I have a 2001 Jetta VR6 for anyone who thinks they might have this problem too. Every other fuse was fine.
Thanks. I love to hear stories like this.
Was trying to figure out the same problem on my wife's VW Beetle. Saw your video and yanked that same fuse, which had just a small amout of carbon on one of the prongs. Hit it with some sand paper and the A/C kicked right in. Thanks for taking the time to post a video on this. Saved me from a big headcache and from pissing away money at a shop to figure it out. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Same results here. No a/c and overheating constantly. It actually got so hot through the vents it melted two amusement park gift cups. As soon as I touched the fuse my rad fan kicked on. If you are ever in Pittsburgh I owe you a beer.
Hopefully I'll never be in Pittsburgh, but if I am I'll take you up on that offer. Do I have to drink PBR? :-)
Wow, thanks heaps mate for posting this video. Had two different air con mechanics look at my vw golf 2001 and they were both stumped as to why the ac was not working! After coming home in a bad mood I was determined to search for a solution and watched your video. Had no idea there was an additional three fuses on top of the battery! Sure enough one was blown. Cost me $4 to replace the dead fuse and suddenly nice cool air again! Saved me a few hundred dollars for sure! Thank you so much!! :)
+Beau Thaller Be thankful that the mechanics couldn't find the problem. they probably would have charged you hundreds of dollars to replace the fuse. I'm glad this fixed the problem for you.
You’re lucky they didn’t charge you $1200-$2400 to tear apart the dashboard and replace the whole system
AC did not work and idle slowed down to 600 rpm. Cleaned the fuse and solved the problems. Aggravation gone on this humid Friday night. Many thanks. Tony
Thank you so much. Was on a 5 hour drive back home and ac stopped working right at the start. Drive an hr or so then started googling fixes. Saw this, popped open hood and the thing had completely burned up. Car is comfortable now
dude, damn life saver. I was about to take apart my car to replace the air compressor. decided to look at this and it has the same symptom you had. needless to say, new fuse and I'm rocking cold air again. Thanks so much.
@sam1174 you are a genius!
I was having ongoing issues with my ac and your video solved the issue!
The fuse that turns on the ac was burnt out! Thank you!
I got in my car to go to work and got just hot air blowing out. It ended up being the exact same fuse and condition you describe in your video. Put a new fuse in and it's working great. Thank you!
Thank you! This saved the day, our 2002 VW Beetle had this fuse burnt and was the only issue. ❤
thanks so much! I wouldn't have thought to check the fuse next to the battery, but that was it. sanded off the corrosion and voilà? great, clear !video
thank you for the video.i had same problem. also john gilson's comment is helpful. the fuse has given me problems twice. time to replace wire.
btw a thumbs down? really people!! this guy took time out to post an easy fix for many people. how about showing some appreciation
Sam, Thank you so much for posting this video. I can only imagine how much money you just saved me. Same fuse, same carbon, etc, etc. I really appreciate your going to the trouble of posting this video. If you're ever in Greenfield Indiana, I've got a cold one waiting for you.
I have a 2004 Jetta mk4. My AC stopped working. I checked the Freon charge and it was fine, so the low pressure cutoff was probably not the issue! I checked those two fuses also like u did in your Jetta. I was trying to find the location of the clutch relay when I ran across your video. I pulled that fuse out and tested it and it was ok. The blades were somewhat corroded so I cleaned them and put it back in. My AC clutch now turns on!
Thx so much for your time and effort of making this video. You never can tell when al that effort might really help someone.
Good video, very helpful, people tend to "not know" about the fuses on the battery compartment. Just one thing might have made helpful even more - if you'd turn your ac off, and shown the pulley not engaging on the clutch ;) so people know, how to tell the difference
Your video just saved me from pulling out my compressor. Thanx man!
Thank you so much. You just made summer a lot more tolerable. Mine was also not blown but working intermittently. I could not figure out what the problem was. I took it out and it was black like yours was I replaced it and everything is working brilliantly.
Sam,
Thanks so much for this video! My 2003 Jetta's A/C has been finicky lately, stopped completely today (95 degrees out). I checked that same fuse & it was burnt up (even partially melted to the fuse box).
I owe you a beer!
Dude you saved me from cleaning out my wallet! Vw wanted 3,000.00 to fix the compressor. Then came across your video and tried the fuses out, and boy did I get happy... Thank you for this! #lifesaver
Thank you for the straight forward video. I am back up and going with cold air!!
You legend... That just sorted my AC out... Just like the video my fuse had overheated and just needed cleaning and replacing.... Worked on VW Golf TDI MK4 2001
Thanks for the good tips and trouble shooting advice.
Thank you sir, I had a similar problem and it was the fuse which melted in half with part of the housing. My problem was that air con. was working but my engine and air cond. venilator was On only for a few sec, probabbly cooling my engine. I put new fuse and it works fine now. Thanks again
Thanks for your help. My 2002 Jetta Volkswagen lost AC yesterday. With the help of this video, I confirmed that it was NOT the compressor and that I actually had the same exact fuse blown.
thanks, after more than a few hours troubleshooting over the weekend (including getting a clear 444 diagnostic code from my cliamatronic test display) testing the wiring harness to the clutch (it was reading 11v with air con switched to on and engine running) testing the compression by hand by rotating the compressor (it looked like it was building up pressure after a couple of turns) I was about to go for a pressure switch check when I saw your TH-cam video. looked at the fuse in the batter compartment and low and behold, carbon on ONE of the contacts. pulled it out scraped off the carbon, pushed it in and out a couple of times and air con working again!
so, for those of you who are getting power to the clutch, it looks like carbon on the contact is acting as a resistor and bringing the power (current/voltage?) down just enough to prevent the clutch from activating! If I'm not wrong, you need around 12+ V to get the clutch to engage, it seems like 11 didn't just cut it. Very subtle problem. Saved me a couple of hours of strip and rebuild of the full AC. Can't thank you enough!!! I would have probably ended up replacing the pressure switch at least before going for that stupid fuse. needless to say, all those fuses are going to be replaced and checked on the weekend!
Sam, thank you for this. I was just about to dish out like $700 on A/C repair. This worked for me and you saved me a lot of money. Thank you.
Totally worked right away. All I had was a 20 amp fuse and it worked. Going to walmart to return the freon kit I bought and to buy a 30 amp fuse.
Thank you. I had EXACTLY the same problem. You saved me a lot of time and frustration, (and maybe money).
My car was at the mechanics for 3 weeks and he couldnt figure it out first youtube vid I picked fixed the issue appreciate the video
We have a 2002 VW Beetle that we also bought for my daughter and the A/C stop blowing cool/cold air. She had been driving without cool air for about 2 weeks until today 9/5/14. We checked the green 30 fuse and saw it had melted. Changed it and now A/C cools. Hooray!!! It only cost $5.00. Thanks a billion sam1174. May God Bless you! I had started to worry to where was I going to get the $1,000.00 to fix the A/C. We are in a tight budget and would have had to wait months to come up with that kind of money. Again thank you. Very much appreciated.
Same thing happened on my 2002 -- just a little melting of the plastic and a tiny bit of charring on one prong. It wasn't obvious that the fuse was bad, and it even made the light on my fuse tester blink intermittently. It makes sense, because the AC had stopped then started working again twice, so the fuse was apparently working some of the time. I replaced the fuse just now, and all seems well. Thanks so much for this video, sam1174!
That’s a really clean engine bay 👍🏼
I second Alex. You are my hero. Just saved me massive amounts on my 2002 Jetta AC. This fixed it immediately.
Thank you. I was able to find the bad 7.5A fuse for the clutch.
My problem is more complex, but I finally learned something about those fuses on top of the battery!
Thanks for sharing this. This is exactly what happened to my 2003 Golf. Saved me lots of time!
Wow! this video helped me a lot! Im no car expert, my car started smoking from the belt section and when I pulled over a stranger told my my Airbelt clutch had gone bad and that since it was smoking I shouldn't drive it and take it to a mechanic
Omg I have that exact same problem. The ac stopped working could not find the problem. I already ordered the fan assembly spent 200 bucks. I will check it and make sure it is the fuse. Thanks this was a big help.
Fantastic Sam, Same problem on my 2001 Beetle same setup with fuse looking just fine. Took it out scuffed it with a nail file and put it back and work great. Dealer wanted $85 to just look at it, and est. $1200 to fix! Thanks Sam .
God bless you for sharing such simple and easy way of fixing my AC. Did help for me vw jetta 2002 my old fuse in here was burned and melted and its was 25 not 30 as you mention. THx
Wow. Craaaazy to see one in fantastic condition like that. I'm jealous!
Thanks for the video Sam. The exact same thing happened on my daughter's 2002 Jetta. Followed your process and was disappointed when I didn't see either the 10 amp or 7.5 amp fuses blown. I thought, what the heck, I'll check the 30 amp. Just as you had experienced, the fuse looked good from the top, but when I pulled it, I noticed some darkening and the plastic near the prongs was charred and slightly deformed. I cleaned up the terminals, plugged it in and the old a/c purrs like a kitten!
Thanks for fixing my air conditioning. The 7.5 amp fuse was blown.
Thank you so much for this video. The A/C in my 2002 Golf would only blow hot air. After watching this video, I made a trip to the auto parts store and picked up the fuse. Low and behold...I now have cold A/C. It's going to be a nice, cool ride to work, here in North Carolina, this summer. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
No problem Christopher. I'm in NC, too, so I know how miserable it can be in the summertime without air conditioning. You should check out some of my other videos. I bet a dollar that your oil dipstick tube is broken. I have a video which shows how to replace it.
i just worked on my friends car and just put a 3/4 inch id heater hose in for now haha fits good in the grommet too
Thank you very much. I had exactly the same problem on my 2002 Jetta. One contact on the green fuse was black. I cleaned it with sand paper and put it back and AC started working again. Thanks a lot.
this video and the comments helped me save lots of money and frustration.
Great video!! AC not working on 2004 VW Beetle. Replaced Green 30 Fuse and bingo, AC runs like a charm! Thank you for sharing.
Great vid, my Ac stopped working and thanks to this I checked the fuses on my battery, 1st one on the left was kinda bad looking so I replaced it with another 30 amp and problem solved. Thanks!
Thanks for this!!! Fixed AC on my daughters VW polo using this. Electrics good but system was low on pressure. Topped it up with EZ chill from shop and its fixed. Might be an idea to updated the description with VW polo too as system is near identical. Thanks again!
hi sam
the same. 2000 gti and on the way back home from dropping friend at airport the ac suddenly quit blowing cold air.
little frustrated at first but then i looked at your video. went through the same and found the battery 30fuse on battery would not come out without using tool. i sanded it lightly placed back in and wallah. cold a//c again. so many thanks from texas
ms
+mahasukh I'm glad that fixed it for you! I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of dollars (millions?)
Volkswagen dealers have made by simply replacing that fuse.
Troubleshooting a/c on a 2002 Jetta. The compressor was replaced earlier this year (at considerable expense), so I'm dismayed that I again have no a/c (in New Orleans). I think it might be this problem with the fuses, because I don't see or hear that clutch spinning like it should. I'll look again tomorrow. Thanks for the video. A big help. BTW - watch out for that battery fusebox. I've burned through two of them. Any signs of overheating or melting wires, and you'll want to check it out. VW is notorious for those things going bad.
Thank you! This was the problem for my Jetta A/C. An inexpensive and simple fix.
just a note for all VW owners I have a 02 beetle and the fuse box on top of the battery has a problem with melting mine was draining the battery with in 4 hours... so this is what you have to do replace the alternator wiring harness VW dealer has it for $50-$60 and replace the fuse box I got one from my local auto parts place for &75( it came complete with all fuses even the thin metal strips) not a hard job at all.
I bring this up because the fuse box in this video shows the same signs that mine did the wire all the way on the left is starting to char.... look closely when you watch its the only black wire ( that is the alternator wiring harness that also has your a/c plug in it.
Thanks! Changed out the fuse and the compressor kicked right on.
I will add that the fuse that operates the ac compressor clutch also operates the fans on the radiator. My car was overheating in the drive thru because of this and I pulled the assembly out first and then changed the fuse. When I went to Autozone to buy a new fan assembly the manager actually told me to try to plug it back in now that the ac was fixed and it worked. So I pulled the fan assembly for nothing but at least both are fixed now. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing. Wished that was all my 2001 Jetta needed, but the clutch is definitely engaging.
The clutch will also not engage if there's an overpressure/underpressure situation as there are pressure switches in line . These switches can also fail of course.
Thank's . My Jetta's had exact same issue. Fixed :)
Greetings from Estonia :)
Thanks for the info
This was the problem with my 2001 jetta TDI.
Thank You So Much Sam for putting this up. You The Man!
Thanks for video man I had the same problem except mine that plug by the 3 fuses was pulled out just a little way and thanks to you I found it and now I have ice cold ac again
Thanks man, you just saved me an AC replacement, probably. My '03 Golf had the exact same issue.
THANK YOU!! Worked like a charm. I have a picture of that chared fuse if you like.
Thank you for this video, it was the some one as your daughters, I just clean it and know it works. P.S my is a 2003 Golf TDI with 370,000 miles on it
This fixed my a/c just 5 minutes after it quit working. Thanks for the advise!
part of the core problem is the poor designed fuse box contacts failing under load ,, they have a lot of issues with the fusebox as a whole motorking has a redesigned after market part that Core addresses the issue,, just search youtube Motorking improved fuse box for Volkswagen as an example
Had the same issue with my 2005 TDI jetta. Thanks a bunch bro.
Thank you for this video. Just made my drive bearable again. It was the fuse above the battery that was broken. thank you such a simple fix for such a major problem
Thank you for this video. Exact same discolouring on same fuse. 2001 Jetta GL
Hey man, tomorrow i am following every step of this video. If this fixed my AC i will give you a cookie!
did you figure it oiut??
+David Harter My passat has a different configuration of fuses unfortunately. So I'll be replacing the ac compressor
Dude thank you Soo much. Just checked the fuse and it's burned out
this video just saved me a lot of money, THANK YOU!!!
Dave Boedeker Glad I could help!
Well thanks, you just found my problem for me!
The fuse socket's a bit "melted" here for me, though.
thank you really helpful video simple but straight to the point
Thank you sir for sharing this information that was exactly what was wrong with my ac i tried everything,i did exatcly what you said when i saw that clutch move i was so happy you made my day,and for that i want to thank you so much i almost purchased the compressor today because in florida yhe heat around here is unverable thanks again
You sir, are my hero. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for teaching me about fuses!
The Sanden SD7v16 has a valve that will change the swashplate angle dynamically with AC heat load effectively reducing the displacement during low load therefore the clutch does not cycle during normal operations. It will cycle when if the ecu detects things like overheating engine or overly high/low refrigerant pressures.
Thanks Mosor! I told my kids that I rock but they don't believe me.
Great Vid!!! This really helped me out!! I was about to start taking this crap apart and all it was is darn carbon buildup in that fuse holder... U kick butt Sam
We replaced the compressor, receiver drier and expansion valve (all new) on our 2007 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T. There are no leaks and it's been completely charged. The a/c is still blowing hot air. Help!!