Air Conditioning Saga

My '99 2.0 has been at the dealership for 5 days.

Last April ('08), my window regulator broke. I thought I'd try to fix it since the warranty was over, but the car sat in my garage for 4 months before I fixed.

August ('08), when I started using the car again, I found the A/C was not blowing cold air. I figured the seals went bad for the lack of use. Winter came and I didn't need A/C, so I left it as is.

This summer ('09), I took the car in for A/C service, anticipating only a freon recharge. The dealership comes back saying that the fuse holder is melted AND says something about blockage in the evaporator because of bad pressure readings they are getting

I ok'd the $738 job, which apparently did the following:
- r134a charge $50
- Holder $103(I'm assuming this is the fuse holder)
- Valve $83(I'm assuming this the pressure release valve)
- ... and a few seals and fuses.
- and of course $437 in labor

Next day, they call and say it's fixed.

The car sits in their lot for another day before I can pick up and when I did, the A/C wasn't cold at all ... just outside air ... and "hot" since it's 90 degrees out here lately.

Service advisor says it WAS cold when he called me.
He says later that they do a flush at no charge in case there's blockage somewhere else.

After the flush, still no luck. Now they are suspecting the compressor.

I'm feeling like I'm getting strung along. I don't suppose it too much to ask to get correct diagnosis from the beginning (What do you guys think?)

Second, does this make sense to you guys?
I'm wondering now if it was the compressor all this time and they are either incompetent or they are just trying to bleed me? if it is the compressor, what has been the going rate for that?

Depending on what I hear from you guys, I might just tell the dealership to give my money back (minus the $200 I originally committed to for diagnosis). Who knows what that'll get me.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

My '99 2.0 has been at the dealership for 5 days.

leed me? if it is the compressor, what has been the going rate for that?

Depending on what I hear from you guys, I might just tell the dealership to give my money back (minus the $200 I originally committed to for diagnosis). Who knows what that'll get me.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

My 2 bobs worth - I don't think you are being ripped off. I'd imagine the mechanic listened to your problem and figured what the fix should be and went ahead after getting your OK. Sometimes they are wrong. The alternative is for the mech to say that the whole A/C is buggered and it all needs replacing - that way they cover their backsides. They are human and have normal day to day living costs. So, I'd go easy, maybe sweet-talk the dealers etc. If you don't want to spend more $ and/or have hassles with mechs etc then just drive the car without aircon ......:popcorn:

Fair enough ...

But ultimately, I think we all like to know what it will take to fix the WHOLE thing SO I can decide whether it's worth it to begin with.

The difference is, if they had told me that the problem is $2000, I would been happy to pay the diag fee ($200) and said, "Thank you ... but it's not worth it." But now I'm stuck with $700 and still NO COLD air.

They are human and I don't plan to be rude. But they are also the pro's and I'm paying pro hourly rate ... so I also expect them to be responsible and accountable.

Many people have already faulted me for taking it to the "dealer" in the first place ... so that itself doesn't say a whole lot for their reputation and practice.

You need to take it to an A/C specialist-- dealer's are not-- your system has a leak- based on your description of the problem- they need to find and fix the original leak-- their diagnosis sucks-- an a/c man will be sure and cost half the amount...

285.00 for a brand new a/c compressor with 1yr warranty.

http://www.discountacparts.com/addtocart~year~1999~make~Volkswagen~model~Beetle~d escript~~part~60-01476.asp

285.00 for a brand new a/c compressor with 1yr warranty.

http://www.discountacparts.com/addtocart~year~1999~make~Volkswagen~model~Beetle~d escript~~part~60-01476.asp (http://www.discountacparts.com/addtocart%7Eyear%7E1999%7Emake%7EVolkswagen%7Emode l%7EBeetle%7Edescript%7E%7Epart%7E60-01476.asp)

Thats the down payment!....add a new drier, TX valve, flush, new oil and R134 gas plus vacuum down and you're looking at $1200 Australian at least.
We're pretty soft nowdays...some people don't even know they can roll their windows down.:shakehead

there is no need to replace anything but the failed part. Its a good reccomendation to replace the dryer, h-block, and other parts but it wont effect the cooling enough for a normal person to notice. The evac and recharge shouldnt be more than 100.00 and the labor to replace shouldnt be more than 250 (2.5hrs labor @ 100/hr)

Thanks for the tips ... and that's a good website to keep in my favorites ... thanks VeeDub!

I don't know what these VW dealers do, but I work at a CAT dealership on heavy equipment, and I'm fresh out of school, and A/C is a pretty simple problem to figure out. Going by low and high side pressures, feeling lines, knowing what system you have "expansion valve or orepheus tube", and knowing how pressures can very depending on location of pressure taps. A/C pretty easy to figure out what is going on. If you have some schooling in A/C. I just went though my finace's 99 Beetle A/C. She bought it last November, and this spring the A/C wasnt working. When I turned it on the compressor was making crazy noise. Low side pressure was high and High side wasnt doing much. Lines werent changing temps at all. And from the noise of the compressor I took it out. Tore the compressire down to find that the Reed valve were coming out, and a few were already in the bores tearing up the cylinder walls and pistons. Replaced the H-block, filter dryer, And since the condensor was right behind the compressor and right in front of the filter dryer, I flushed the crap out of it with an A/C flush, and nitrogen. No more noise, high side line hot, low side frosty, air out the vents ice cold. So like the guy said above take it to a shop that works on A/c as a specialty. Or get a buddy with a manifold set, checked pressure and send me a message.

Thanks Weaselg... but I sold my VW 2 weeks ago.
I hope some other poor soul finds this thread and get some help on their VW A/C. But I think the tip on taking it to a A/C specialist is a good tip and I'll do the same when my other cars (toyota and honda) have A/C ailment.

285.00 for a brand new a/c compressor with 1yr warranty.

http://www.discountacparts.com/addtocart~year~1999~make~Volkswagen~model~Beetle~d escript~~part~60-01476.asp

I have noticed this is an American company. Are there any differences between these air conditioners you think? I was quoted $1600 to fix my compressor with after market parts inclusive of labour. I thought I might have just needed re-gassing when my air con wasn't working after winter. I hadn't used it for 3 months and when it warmed up I had no more cool air coming through. I just don't have $1600, but I could come up with the price of say the air con kit USD$345.00 and whatever the labour should be.

The difference is mine is a 2002 VW Beetle.

I would try to get my money back, because they fixed nothing and forced you to sell your car. They need to man up for throwing parts at the supposed problem. Stand firm and tell them how you feel.
Franco