VW Scirocco AC Compressor Failure & Warning Light Fix

Having dealt with a very similar AC system failure on my 2011 VW Golf GTI, I can share my experience. Like yours, the air conditioning stopped working completely with a warning light. Initially, I also thought it was the AC compressor, but after taking it to a workshop specializing in automotive cooling systems, they diagnosed a faulty air conditioning control unit. The diagnostic revealed communication errors between the control unit and other AC components. The repair process involved: 1. Full system diagnosis 2. Removal of the old control unit 3. Installation and programming of new unit 4. System refrigerant check and recharge 5. Full testing of the cooling system Total cost was 980€ including parts, labor, and refrigerant. The repair resolved all issues and the AC has worked perfectly since. To provide more specific guidance for your case, could you share: Current mileage on your Scirocco, Any unusual sounds before the failure, Whether you notice any refrigerant leak spots under the car, If the AC makes any attempt to engage when switched on This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if you might be dealing with a different problem in the cooling system.

Thanks for sharing those details. My Scirocco just had its last service 2 months ago and shows 31560km on the odometer. The symptoms you described with your GTI sound very similar, though I havent noticed any leaks or unusual sounds. The auto AC repair shop I contacted suspects a failed control module rather than an AC compressor issue, which aligns with your experience. Before scheduling repairs, I would like to know if you experienced any long-term complications after the control unit replacement? Also curious if your shop performed any automotive cooling system pressure testing before replacing components? The 980€ cost seems reasonable if it includes a full refrigerant service along with the new control unit. Looking forward to your insights on these questions about the AC unit issues. This will help me better prepare for my upcoming repair appointment.

Based on my experience with the GTI repair, I can confirm there were no long-term complications after the control unit replacement. The vehicle HVAC system has been working flawlessly for over 18 months now. The shop did perform comprehensive pressure testing of the automotive cooling system before proceeding with any repairs. This included: Full system pressure test, Electronic diagnostic scan, Refrigerant leak detection, Control module communication test The 980€ price covered everything including: New control unit, Complete auto refrigerant service, All required programming, System testing and verification With your low mileage and recent service, a control module failure makes more sense than an AC compressor issue. The lack of unusual sounds or leaks further supports this diagnosis. The pressure testing was crucial in ruling out other potential problems with the cooling components. Make sure the shop includes a warranty on both parts and labor. My repair came with a 2-year warranty on the control unit and 12 months on the labor and auto AC repair work.

Thanks for the detailed response and warranty information. This definitely helps confirm my suspicions about the control module. The comprehensive testing approach your shop took sounds thorough and exactly what I need. Your experience with no long-term car air conditioning issues after the repair is reassuring. Since my symptoms match yours and the pricing seems standard, I will go ahead and book the AC unit repair. The full system pressure testing and diagnostics make sense as a first step before any parts replacement. I have scheduled an appointment for next week at a shop that specializes in car AC systems. They quoted a similar price range and also include warranty coverage for both parts and labor. Will make sure they do the complete refrigerant service and testing protocol you described. Really appreciate you sharing the detailed breakdown of the repair process and costs. This helped me feel more confident about the upcoming repair instead of worrying about a potentially failed AC compressor. Will post an update once the work is completed to help others who might face similar cooling system issues.