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dirkmoore5

VW Sharan AC System Failure, Cooling Diagnosis Help

Looking for advice on AC issues in my VW Sharan. The cooling system completely stopped working, no cold air and the AC wont even turn on. Car is a 2014 Diesel with 87138km. Had a bad experience with my mechanic last time, so pretty unsure about going back. Has anyone dealt with similar AC diagnostics and can recommend what to check first? Want to know what I might be dealing with before taking it to a shop.

Summary of the thread

The VW Sharan's AC system failure involved a complete lack of cold air and the system not activating. Possible causes included a defective expansion valve and a faulty AC relay, common issues in similar VAG vehicles. The recommended solution was to conduct a thorough AC diagnostics test at a specialized shop, which would identify whether the problem was electrical or mechanical. Proper repair involved replacing the expansion valve and AC relay, testing refrigerant pressure, and performing a full system evacuation and recharge.

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4 comment(s)

emilybaumann10

Had a similar AC system failure in my 2011 VW Touran TDI. The temperature control unit completely stopped responding, with symptoms matching yours, no cold air and system refusing to activate. The AC diagnostics revealed multiple issues: a failed AC relay and a faulty blower motor. The main culprit was a defective expansion valve, which prevented proper refrigerant flow through the system. This is actually a common problem in VAG cars of this generation. A proper fix required: Replacing the expansion valve, Installing a new AC relay, Testing the refrigerant pressure, Full system evacuation and recharge This was definitely a serious repair job requiring specialized equipment. DIY is not recommended since it involves handling refrigerant, which requires proper certification and tools. The blower motor was also checked but turned out to be fine in my case. Best approach would be getting a proper AC diagnostics test at a shop specializing in VAG vehicles. The symptoms you describe could be electrical (relay, fuse) or mechanical (valve, compressor), and proper testing will pinpoint the exact issue.

dirkmoore5 (community.author)

Thanks for sharing that detailed fix. My AC issues turned out similar, the expansion valve and relay both needed replacement. Really helped restore proper AC efficiency in my Sharan. Just wondering what the final cost was for your repairs? And has your AC system stayed problem-free since then, or have you noticed any other AC maintenance needs? Getting nervous about potential issues as summer approaches.

emilybaumann10

Thanks for asking about the cost breakdown. After taking it to a qualified shop specializing in AC diagnostics, they found and fixed the defective valves in the air conditioning system. Total repair costs came to 1000€, which included the parts replacement and full system testing. The AC efficiency has been perfect since the repair, going on 8 months now with no issues. The cooling system works exactly as it should, maintaining consistent temperature control. I schedule regular AC maintenance checks to keep things running smoothly, especially before summer hits. The blower motor test they performed also confirmed everything else was working properly. Having a thorough AC diagnostics really helped identify the exact problem rather than guessing. Definitely worth the investment to have it properly repaired rather than letting it deteriorate further. No regrets about getting it fixed, especially now that I can enjoy proper cooling again. The initial cost was significant but considering the reliable performance since then, it was money well spent for a properly functioning AC system.

dirkmoore5 (community.author)

I finally got my AC fixed and wanted to share my experience. After getting the detailed AC diagnostics done at a certified shop, they found both the expansion valve and AC relay needed replacing, just like you mentioned. The cooling system repair came to 850€ total. While not cheap, the AC efficiency is now perfect and definitely worth the investment. No more worries about getting into a hot car. Found a much better mechanic this time who actually explained the full AC diagnostics process and showed me the faulty parts. Really helped rebuild my confidence after that previous bad experience. The AC noise I was hearing is completely gone now too. Great having it sorted before the weather heats up. Thanks again for helping me understand what I was dealing with before heading to the shop, made the whole process much less stressful.

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VW

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SHARAN