VW Passat Climate Control Failure: Auto & AC Dead

Had the same climate control issue on my 2015 VW Golf GTE Hybrid. The HVAC sensor was reporting incorrect temperature readings, causing the entire climate regulation system to malfunction. Main problem turned out to be a damaged wiring harness connector at the temperature sensor. The insulation had worn through, creating intermittent connection issues. This caused the climate control module to receive incorrect signals, leading to complete system shutdown. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness section and the HVAC sensor unit. It was a serious issue since the faulty readings could have eventually affected other electronic systems. The connector placement makes it a labor-intensive job requiring partial dashboard removal to access the components. Best approach is getting the error code read first, this will confirm if its the sensor circuit causing the climate issues. A certified shop with experience in hybrid vehicle climate systems should handle this, as these systems are more complex than conventional ones. If your symptoms match (complete AC failure, no auto temp control), its likely the same connector problem that many VW hybrids develop around this mileage point.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the faulty temperature sensor. That definitely sounds similar to my situation, especially the complete climate control failure. Good to know about the wiring harness being a common issue in VW hybrids. Just got the error code read today and it points to a temperature sensor circuit fault, exactly like you described. Was planning to take it to the shop next week. Would you remember roughly how much you paid for the complete fix? Also curious if youve had any other climate issues since the repair was done?

After getting the sensor issues fixed at the certified shop, my climate control system has been working flawlessly for the past year. The interior temperature sensor was indeed malfunctioning due to a faulty cable connection, just as suspected from the error codes. The final bill came to 95€ for resolving the temperature sensor circuit problem. They found and repaired a damaged connection at the plug, which was causing the incorrect temperature readings. Much cheaper than initially expected since they didnt need to replace the entire wiring harness. No other climate issues or sensor replacement needs since then. The auto temperature control works perfectly now, and the AC kicks in normally. This repair addressed all the symptoms completely, the error codes are gone and temperature readings are accurate. The problems you described are nearly identical to what I experienced, so getting this checked should resolve your climate control troubles too. Make sure they thoroughly test the sensor connections when doing the repair.

Thanks for the advice. Finally got my car back from the shop yesterday. As suggested, it was indeed the temperature sensor circuit causing all the climate control problems. The mechanic found corroded wiring connections near the HVAC sensor, similar to what others mentioned. Total repair cost was 130€ including labor, they had to replace both the sensor and part of the wiring harness to fix the faulty temperature readings. The climate regulation system is now working perfectly. Auto temperature control is responsive again and the AC blows properly cold air. Really glad I got this sorted before summer. The shop also did a full system test to ensure all climate control functions were operating correctly. Definitely worth getting the error code checked first, saved time by pointing directly to the sensor issue. Having it fixed at a certified shop might have cost a bit more, but at least the repair was done right the first time.