Blower/Compressor Control Problem (2002 VW Cabrio)

Hi,

This is my first post, so excuse any naivete on my part here.

I have a 2002 VW Cabrio. A n annoying problem recently developed with
the blower/compressor control. The blower no longer works when the fan
switch is set to speeds 1, 2, and 3. And the compressor doesn't work
when the fan switch is at 4.

Let me describe that again... When the A/C button is in the "ON"
position (i.e. pressed in) and the fan switch is on setting 1-3, the
compressor is running (the engine dips and I can hear the compressor
running) but the blower does not run. When the fan switch is on
setting 4, the compressor turns off and blower turns on.

What could be the problem here? Could it be a relay switch? Which
one? Where are they located? Does anyone have a map available?

I found another post that seems to describe a related, but not
identical problem (and that was a 1990 Golf -- so maybe it's not
applicable...although I believe late model Cabrios are very similar to
Golfs of the early 90s)
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a... e5a47268f0e87

The last post in that thread makes me thing maybe the main feed to the
relay has been disconnected? But how do I check this? I have never
worked on the electrical system on a car before and I don't have a
Haynes or Bentley manual for this car yet, so the more explanation
responders can provide the better...

Thanks so much for any help anyone can offer!

Jennifer

Reading around...I think I may have a faulty blower motor resistor.
Can anyone tell me where this is located in the Cabrio?

Thanks,
Jennifer

wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is my first post, so excuse any naivete on my part here.
>
> I have a 2002 VW Cabrio. A n annoying problem recently developed with
> the blower/compressor control. The blower no longer works when the fan
> switch is set to speeds 1, 2, and 3. And the compressor doesn't work
> when the fan switch is at 4.
>
> Let me describe that again... When the A/C button is in the "ON"
> position (i.e. pressed in) and the fan switch is on setting 1-3, the
> compressor is running (the engine dips and I can hear the compressor
> running) but the blower does not run. When the fan switch is on
> setting 4, the compressor turns off and blower turns on.
>
> What could be the problem here? Could it be a relay switch? Which
> one? Where are they located? Does anyone have a map available?
>
> I found another post that seems to describe a related, but not
> identical problem (and that was a 1990 Golf -- so maybe it's not
> applicable...although I believe late model Cabrios are very similar to
> Golfs of the early 90s)
> http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a... e5a47268f0e87
>
> The last post in that thread makes me thing maybe the main feed to the
> relay has been disconnected? But how do I check this? I have never
> worked on the electrical system on a car before and I don't have a
> Haynes or Bentley manual for this car yet, so the more explanation
> responders can provide the better...
>
> Thanks so much for any help anyone can offer!
>
> Jennifer

Jennifer,
We recently had a similar problem on a later model Cabrio, I think
the model is a coincidence, except our blower was functioning and the
compressor was not. After my trusty mechanic tracked down the problem,
it was the control switch assembly on the dashboard. Apparently, that
fan speed switch controls the compressor speed and the blower speed
simultaneously.

That's all I know. Hopefully that helps focus the repair and cuts down
on the mechanics time.

Trevor


wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is my first post, so excuse any naivete on my part here.
>
> I have a 2002 VW Cabrio. A n annoying problem recently developed with
> the blower/compressor control. The blower no longer works when the fan
> switch is set to speeds 1, 2, and 3. And the compressor doesn't work
> when the fan switch is at 4.
>
> Let me describe that again... When the A/C button is in the "ON"
> position (i.e. pressed in) and the fan switch is on setting 1-3, the
> compressor is running (the engine dips and I can hear the compressor
> running) but the blower does not run. When the fan switch is on
> setting 4, the compressor turns off and blower turns on.
>
> What could be the problem here? Could it be a relay switch? Which
> one? Where are they located? Does anyone have a map available?
>
> I found another post that seems to describe a related, but not
> identical problem (and that was a 1990 Golf -- so maybe it's not
> applicable...although I believe late model Cabrios are very similar to
> Golfs of the early 90s)
> http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a... e5a47268f0e87
>
> The last post in that thread makes me thing maybe the main feed to the
> relay has been disconnected? But how do I check this? I have never
> worked on the electrical system on a car before and I don't have a
> Haynes or Bentley manual for this car yet, so the more explanation
> responders can provide the better...
>
> Thanks so much for any help anyone can offer!
>
> Jennifer

Trevor,

Thanks for your reply.

Turns out it WAS the blower motor resistor. Got to it by removing the
glovebox and the right vent so I could stick a screwdriver in there.
$40 for the part at the dealership. (I asked how much labor would have
been to service at the dealership and they said $220. -- Yay, saved
$220!)

Jennifer

Hieroglyphiks wrote:
> Jennifer,
> We recently had a similar problem on a later model Cabrio, I think
> the model is a coincidence, except our blower was functioning and the
> compressor was not. After my trusty mechanic tracked down the problem,
> it was the control switch assembly on the dashboard. Apparently, that
> fan speed switch controls the compressor speed and the blower speed
> simultaneously.
>
> That's all I know. Hopefully that helps focus the repair and cuts down
> on the mechanics time.
>
> Trevor
>
>
> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > This is my first post, so excuse any naivete on my part here.
> >
> > I have a 2002 VW Cabrio. A n annoying problem recently developed with
> > the blower/compressor control. The blower no longer works when the fan
> > switch is set to speeds 1, 2, and 3. And the compressor doesn't work
> > when the fan switch is at 4.
> >
> > Let me describe that again... When the A/C button is in the "ON"
> > position (i.e. pressed in) and the fan switch is on setting 1-3, the
> > compressor is running (the engine dips and I can hear the compressor
> > running) but the blower does not run. When the fan switch is on
> > setting 4, the compressor turns off and blower turns on.
> >
> > What could be the problem here? Could it be a relay switch? Which
> > one? Where are they located? Does anyone have a map available?
> >
> > I found another post that seems to describe a related, but not
> > identical problem (and that was a 1990 Golf -- so maybe it's not
> > applicable...although I believe late model Cabrios are very similar to
> > Golfs of the early 90s)
> > http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a... e5a47268f0e87
> >
> > The last post in that thread makes me thing maybe the main feed to the
> > relay has been disconnected? But how do I check this? I have never
> > worked on the electrical system on a car before and I don't have a
> > Haynes or Bentley manual for this car yet, so the more explanation
> > responders can provide the better...
> >
> > Thanks so much for any help anyone can offer!
> >
> > Jennifer