VW Bora AC Suddenly Dead, Common Causes Explored

Had almost the exact same issue with my 2007 VW Jetta. As someone with some mechanical experience, I first suspected a simple refrigerant leak, but it turned out to be more complex. The complete AC system shutdown pointed to faulty pressure switch and defective valves in the AC system. The pressure switch normally protects the system, and when it fails, the entire AC shuts down as a safety measure. The repair in my case involved: System diagnosis, Replacement of the pressure switch, Fixing individual valves in the temperature control unit, Recharging the cooling system with fresh refrigerant Total cost was around 1000€, which included parts and labor. The workshop took about 6 hours to complete everything. Before suggesting specific fixes, could you share: Any unusual AC noise before it stopped working? Does the AC compressor engage when starting the car? Have you noticed any oil spots under the car? When was the last AC service? Knowing these details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. VWs from this era often have similar AC system layouts, so the fix might be comparable.

Last service at 24651km but never had an AC service done. Before taking it to a workshop, I wanted to understand if anyone faced similar issues. Thanks for the detailed response. Your questions helped me realize I did notice a slight rattling noise from the AC about two weeks before it died completely. The compressor definitely does not engage now, I checked by looking under the hood while someone pressed the AC button. No oil spots visible underneath. The pressure switch issue you mentioned makes sense given the complete system shutdown. Do you think I should start with basic AC diagnostics or go straight for the pressure switch replacement? Also wondering if the AC maintenance history might have contributed to this failure.

Thanks for those details about the AC noise and compressor behavior. These symptoms match exactly what happened with my Jetta right before the failure. That rattling noise is often a warning sign of impending AC system problems. In my case, ignoring regular AC maintenance definitely contributed to the pressure switch failure. With no previous AC service at your mileage, there is a high chance that low refrigerant levels stressed the system components. Based on the matching symptoms and my experience, I would recommend: 1. Get a full AC diagnostics first, attempting to replace the pressure switch without proper system testing could mask other issues 2. Request a thorough AC efficiency test to check for refrigerant leaks 3. Consider a complete AC maintenance service along with any repairs My mechanic explained that these symptoms typically indicate either a faulty pressure switch or a severe refrigerant leak that triggered the safety shutdown. The diagnostic test will determine which is causing your problem. Quick tip from my experience: Make sure they check the relay and electrical connections during diagnosis. In rare cases, similar symptoms can be caused by electrical issues rather than mechanical failures. Would you like me to share the specific diagnostic steps my workshop followed? It might help you know what to expect during the repair process.

Based on what you described with the relay and electrical connections, I will definitely mention those specifically when I take it in. The details about the AC diagnostics and efficiency testing are really helpful for understanding what to expect. Given the complete shutdown and that rattling noise I heard, I am more convinced now that this could be the pressure switch like in your case. Will get it checked right away since summer is coming up. The lack of AC maintenance probably did not help my situation. One last question about the blower motor, when your system failed, was the regular ventilation fan still working even with the AC off? Mine still runs fine without AC, which seems to confirm this is more about the cooling system components than the basic ventilation. Going to schedule that full AC diagnostics you suggested to be sure though.