VW Up's AC Dead: From Blower to Refrigerant Issues

I experienced the same AC issue in my 2014 VW Polo TSI. Initial AC diagnostics revealed defective expansion valve causing complete system shutdown, a relatively serious problem requiring professional attention. The symptoms matched exactly: no cold air and system unresponsive. A thorough inspection showed the expansion valve was stuck, preventing proper refrigerant flow through the system. The AC relay was tested and functioned correctly, ruling out electrical issues. The repair required: Complete system evacuation, Expansion valve replacement, New refrigerant charge, Temperature control module testing A refrigerant leak test was also performed to ensure no additional issues. The entire repair took about 4 hours at the shop. This type of valve failure is fairly common in VAG vehicles of this generation when they reach higher mileage. The most important step is getting proper AC diagnostics from a qualified shop. Attempting to run the system with a faulty expansion valve can cause additional damage to the compressor. A certified AC specialist should check: Electrical connections, Pressure readings, Valve operation, Refrigerant levels

Thanks for sharing your experience. This sounds exactly like what happened to my Up last summer. The expansion valve was also the culprit in my case and the blower motor would not engage at all. Getting proper AC diagnostics was crucial since the cooling system showed multiple issues during testing. The pressure switch readings were all over the place when they hooked it up to their diagnostic equipment. Glad I took it to a certified shop that specializes in AC efficiency testing and repairs. Mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Also curious if you noticed any AC noise or other issues since getting it fixed? My repair was completed 8 months ago and everything still works perfectly.

Glad I could help troubleshoot your AC issue. After seeing the mechanic and getting the repair done on my Polo, the AC maintenance was worth every cent. The total came to 1000€ for fixing the defective valves in the air conditioning system. The cooling system has been working flawlessly since the repair, no strange AC noise or efficiency problems at all. The certified shop did a thorough job testing all components including the AC relay and refrigerant pressures to ensure everything was properly fixed. Getting it repaired by qualified technicians made all the difference. The AC performance is actually better than before the failure, probably because they did such a comprehensive system check during the repair process. Going on 14 months now with perfect operation. Good to hear your repair has held up well too. These valve issues are common but once fixed properly, the AC system typically remains reliable for many years with basic maintenance.

I took my VW Up to AutoPro Specialists last week after getting great feedback here. The expansion valve replacement and full AC service cost me 850€, definitely worth it for getting the cooling system working properly again. The technician showed me their AC diagnostics readouts and walked through the whole repair process. They found low refrigerant pressure due to the faulty valve, which explained why the system wouldn't engage. A refrigerant leak test confirmed no other issues. The repair took about 3 hours and included: New expansion valve, System evacuation and recharge, Full pressure testing, Component inspection The AC works better than ever now, nice cold air and no AC noise at all. Really glad I chose a certified shop that specializes in these systems rather than going back to my previous mechanic. The detailed inspection and proper repair should keep everything running smoothly for years to come. Thanks again for the advice that helped me make an informed decision about the repairs. Having similar experiences shared here made me more confident about the diagnosis and repair approach.