VW Up A/C Failure: Complete System Shutdown Fix Guide

Having some experience working on VWs, I encountered a very similar issue with my 2013 VW Polo. The A/C system symptoms were identical to what you describe. After inspection, the problem turned out to be electrical rather than mechanical. The AC relay and pressure sensor were failing due to undervoltage in the vehicle electrical system. The complete diagnosis and repair, including parts and labor, cost me 240€. The repair procedure involved: Testing the A/C system pressure, Checking for refrigerant leaks, Replacing the faulty AC relay, Installing a new pressure sensor, Recharging the system Before jumping to conclusions about the compressor, which is a more expensive fix, you should have these electrical components checked first. To help diagnose your specific case more accurately, could you provide: Complete error codes from the diagnostic scan, Whether you notice any unusual electrical behavior (dim lights, slow starter), If the A/C stopped suddenly or gradually lost performance, Any unusual noises when trying to activate the system These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something different.

Just had my 80000km service last month and thought this was helpful info to share. In my case, the issue turned out to be just the pressure switch that needed replacement, much cheaper than a full A/C compressor replacement. After checking voltage at the switch, the mechanic found it wasnt sending proper signals to engage the compressor. The repair only required: New pressure switch: 85€, Labor: 70€, System recharge: 60€ Total came to 215€ and the air conditioning works perfectly now. Worth checking the basic components before assuming worst case scenarios with expensive parts. The pressure sensor and AC relay are common failure points on these engines, especially around this mileage. Getting these checked first could save significant repair costs.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the pressure switch repair. Your case sounds very similar to what I dealt with on my VW Polo. When these HVAC system issues come up, the pressure components are often the culprit rather than the compressor itself. After replacing my relay switch and sensor, I noticed the A/C system performance actually improved beyond what it was before the failure. The new components helped the belt tensioner maintain proper engagement with the compressor clutch, which likely prevented additional wear. One tip for others reading: if your air conditioning stops working suddenly rather than gradually declining, its often an electrical or sensor issue rather than mechanical compressor failure. Getting a proper diagnosis of the control components can save hundreds in unnecessary repairs. Your repair cost breakdown matches the typical range for these VW models. The 215€ total is quite reasonable considering a compressor replacement would have been 3-4 times that amount. Have you noticed the cooling performance has remained consistent since the repair? Mine has worked flawlessly for about 40000km now after addressing those electrical components.

Thanks everyone for the help and feedback. Quick update since the repair was completed: The A/C has been working perfectly for the past 3 months and cooling performance is actually better than before. The mechanic mentioned the old pressure switch was likely degrading gradually before completely failing. For anyone searching with similar symptoms, get the pressure switch and AC relay tested before assuming its a bad A/C compressor. My total repair was 215€ compared to potentially 800€+ for compressor replacement. These electrical components are common failure points around 80000km. The refrigerant leak test they did also showed the system was holding pressure properly, confirming it was just the switch causing the issue. Regular maintenance and catching these smaller problems early can prevent more expensive repairs down the road. Best of all, no more sweating during summer drives. Money well spent on a proper diagnosis rather than jumping to worst case assumptions.