VW Polo AC Dead: Common Fault & Fix Guide

I had a very similar issue with my 2013 VW Golf TDI. Having moderate experience with AC systems, I first suspected a simple refrigerant leak or blown fuse, but it turned out to be more complex. After basic checks showed no obvious issues, I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed faulty valves in the AC system. The technicians found the pressure switch had failed, preventing the AC relay from engaging the compressor. This explained why there was no click sound when pressing the AC button. The total repair cost was 1000€, which included: System diagnosis, Replacement of defective valves, New pressure switch, Refrigerant recharge, Labor costs Before they started the work, they performed a proper pressure test to confirm the cooling system integrity. The repair took about 4 hours, and the AC has worked flawlessly since then. To better assist with your specific case, could you provide: Mileage on your Polo, Service history of the AC system, Any warning lights on the dashboard, Whether the blower motor still works on regular ventilation mode This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my Golf.

Latest service was done 2 months ago at an authorized dealer. I just checked and the blower motor is actually still working on regular ventilation. No warning lights showing on the dashboard. Looking at the pressure switch issue you mentioned, this could indeed be similar to my case since I also get no click sound when engaging the AC. The cooling system was last serviced during routine maintenance about 18 months ago with no issues reported. AC efficiency had been perfect until this sudden failure. The workshop quoted 150€ just for initial AC diagnostics which seems steep for a first check. Would it make sense to first have them check specifically for pressure switch failure since the symptoms match? This might save some diagnostic time and costs. Also, no unusual AC noise preceded the failure, it just stopped working from one day to the next.

Thanks for providing those additional details. The matching symptoms, especially the lack of click sound, strongly point towards a pressure switch issue like I had. The sudden failure without warning is also very typical for this problem. The 150€ diagnostic fee is actually standard for AC work since specialized equipment is needed for pressure testing and refrigerant checks. However, you could request they start by checking the pressure switch specifically, given the similarities to known issues. One thing I learned from my experience, while the pressure switch was the core issue, the workshop should still verify the refrigerant level and check for potential leaks in the cooling system. In my case, they found a small leak that could have caused future problems if left unaddressed. The good news is that your blower motor still works in ventilation mode, which confirms the electrical system for the fan is functional. This further supports the theory that the pressure switch or AC relay is preventing the compressor engagement. If it is indeed the pressure switch, you might be looking at a repair cost between 300-400€, significantly less than my full system repair. Just ensure they use OEM parts for the pressure switch replacement, as aftermarket versions can be unreliable for our VW models. Keep us posted on what the workshop finds. The temperature control issues you are experiencing are quite common in these models, and sharing the outcome could help others with similar problems.

The information you provided about the pressure switch really matches my situation. A 300-400€ repair cost would be much more manageable than your 1000€ repair experience. I called the workshop and mentioned the pressure switch possibility. They agreed to check this component first during the AC diagnostics. Have scheduled the car for next week and they confirmed they use original VW parts. You mentioned getting a leak test done even if they find the pressure switch is faulty. This makes sense, I will request this since the AC system has not been checked for 18 months. Better to catch any developing issues while they are working on it. The ventilation still working normally without the AC definitely supports your theory about the AC relay or pressure switch being the culprit rather than the blower motor itself. Really hoping this turns out to be a straightforward fix like you experienced. Will update the thread once I get the results from the workshop. Thanks for sharing your experience, helped narrow down the likely cause and saved me some worry about potentially major AC maintenance costs.