Dead Climate Controls & Check Engine Light in VW Arteon

Had the same issue on my 2020 VW Passat. The control panel was completely unresponsive, just like yours. After inspection, the main wiring harness connecting to the climate control unit had several damaged electrical connectors. The issue also triggered check engine codes due to the integrated electronic systems. The blower motor was functioning, but without proper signals from the control panel it would only run at minimum speed. This explains your limited heat output. The root cause was corrosion in the main electrical connectors feeding power supply to the climate control module. This requires removing several dashboard components to access the wiring. The repair involved replacing the damaged section of the wiring harness and installing new electrical connectors. While not the most expensive repair, it needs proper diagnostic equipment and expertise to avoid damaging other components during disassembly. Worth noting, when these electrical issues start, they tend to get worse and can affect other systems. Getting it checked soon prevents more extensive damage to the climate control system.

Thanks for the detailed info. Had the same problem last year on my Arteon. The air conditioning and heating were completely dead, just as you described. Really glad you mentioned the wiring harness issue since my mechanic initially thought it was the blower motor which would have cost way more. Did you get it fixed already? Curious about how much the repair ended up costing you and if youve had any other electrical issues since then. The control panel on mine has been working perfectly after the fix but Id be interested to hear your experience.

Just got mine fixed last week. The mechanic found a faulty connection where the wiring harness meets the climate control panel. Total repair cost was 95€, much less than initially expected. The air conditioning system is now working perfectly again. Like your case, my temperature sensor readings are now accurate and the control panel responds immediately to all inputs. No more error codes showing up either. The power supply to the unit was restored once they cleaned and properly reconnected the damaged electrical components. Havent experienced any other electrical issues since the repair. The key was identifying the exact connection problem rather than replacing entire components. Really relieved it wasnt the blower motor or a more complex wiring harness issue that would have cost significantly more. Good to hear your control panel is still working well after the fix. These electronic faults can be tricky to diagnose but often have straightforward solutions when properly identified.

Thanks for the advice. Finally got it fixed yesterday at my local shop. The mechanic found corroded connections in the HVAC system wiring, similar to what others mentioned. The temperature sensor was also damaged, which explained the check engine light. Total repair came to 180€ including parts and labor. They had to remove part of the dashboard to access the control panel area. Pretty reasonable considering I was worried it might be the entire climate control unit needing replacement. Everything works perfectly now, heat, AC, and all control panel functions responding normally. The power supply issue turned out to be much simpler than expected. Definitely feel better about not getting pushed into unnecessary repairs after getting informed advice here first. Hope this helps others who might run into similar electrical problems with their climate systems.