Stuck on ECON mode

[naiku]

Took the car in town today to drop it off to get some work done, since it was hot I went to open the windows. Well, first problem I discover is that the passenger window is refusing to go up or down (either with the switch on the drivers door or passenger door). Tried one of the rear windows with the drivers switch and it goes down, but going back up it was not smooth. So, I am assuming that the master window switch is having problems.

Ok, I figure I will just put the AC on for a bit.... switch it on, it's on ECON mode. Push the button, the light goes out but them immediately back on. So, now I have apparently windows not working correctly and the AC also has an issue. I have done some searching but wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what the AC issue could be? I thought I had read something very recently about a pressure switch, is there a way to check the switch? Where is it located and how is it to swap it out? Assuming the switch is on the side of the radiator, is it possible that hitting a deer could have damaged it? I hit one a couple months back that while not destroying the bumper, demolished the grill and hood. I am hoping it is not the compressor, this car is starting to nickel and dime the crap out of me this year.... I realize it is 13 going on 14 years old, but damn having to start spending hundreds on repairs on a car not worth a whole lot is aggravating.

Thanks.

[Charles.waite]

The high pressure switch is on the drivers side of the condenser, sticking straight out, so it could have very easily gotten damaged. If the sensor is broken, you would definitely have a code so might want to give it a scan and see what it says.

[mgfranz]

Fan control module went out on mine when I had a stuck ECON mode, not a cheap fix...

[naiku]

How did you determine it was the fan control module?

[mgfranz]

Took it in and had the AC system checked, it was good. There is a vagcom test that runs fans, it failed.

[naiku]

The high pressure switch is on the drivers side of the condenser, sticking straight out, so it could have very easily gotten damaged. If the sensor is broken, you would definitely have a code so might want to give it a scan and see what it says.

Scanned the car and get 1 code:

00819 - High Pressure Sensor (G65)
07-10 - Signal too Low - Intermittent

Researching now, but sure sounding like the sensor could be the problem.

[naiku]

Bump, anyone have any experience with this particular code? I measured blocks 001 (free VAG-COM, cannot measure all the blocks) and the readings definitely don't bode well..

AC Valve (N280) Current - 0.000 A
AC Valve (N280) Duty Cycle 0.0%
High Pressure Signal (G65) 9.5%
Refrigerant Circuit Pressure 1.0 bar

No other fault codes in the HVAC module other than the 00819 code. The deer hit was hardest on that side of the bumper, shoved the entire bumper back an inch or more, wondering if I should just pop the bumper off and take a look at the sensor.

[justanotherday]

Did the condenser get replaced? If it's reading 1 Bar of pressure in the system then you R134 might be leaking out. That would prevent the compressor from kicking on.

Also, check the connector. The prongs inside could've gotten damaged, that would give you a bad connection.

Just spit balling, based on repairs ive done in the past.

[naiku]

Nope, the condenser did not get replaced, on the front end only the grill and hood were replaced, the bumper just needed to be put back on where it was supposed to be due to it being shoved backwards. I think tomorrow I will try to find some time to pull the bumper off and check the condenser for damage as well as the G65 connector for damage.

[naiku]

Swapped in a different G65 sensor today and still stuck on ECON mode, so not the sensor. Cleared the code and it came back, but slightly different (07-10 to 07-00 and dropped intermittent):

00819 - High Pressure Sensor (G65)
07-00 - Signal too Low

Now with the bumper off I noticed a nice dented line across the condenser where I am assuming the grill got pushed into it from hitting the deer. What I don't know is if that is causing it to leak freon. I plan to pick up a can of freon from AutoZone and try to get that into the system, but with it stuck on ECON mode and the compressor not coming on, am not even sure if I can put freon into it via that method. Any suggestions on where to check next? freon with dye and look for a leak? test the fans somehow?

[fly300kts]

For me your compressor is shot, assuming of course that fan module & fans have been tested good via VAGCOM output test

Replace compressor, condenser & weaping filter
Refill = done

Phil

[chris86vw]

Refrigerant Circuit Pressure 1.0 bar

There is no refrigerant in your system. This sensor should be reading absolute not gauge pressure so 1 bar is atmosphere as in empty.


Should be reading like 4-6 bar depending on ambient temp if the system was charged.


If you don't want to pay for diag throw a can with dye (they are more expensive) in and run it until you can find the leak, sounds like it is the condenser though if it was hit. And use a UV light to confirm.


Since its been empty due to a leak you'll need to do the receiver dryer and want to make sure that you vacuum it out well and don't just charge it.


Where is the boonies?

[naiku]

For me your compressor is shot, assuming of course that fan module & fans have been tested good via VAGCOM output test

Replace compressor, condenser & weaping filter
Refill = done

I actually tried the output test, but only have VCDS Lite, so cannot test the fan control module. Curious what makes you say the compressor?

There is no refrigerant in your system. This sensor should be reading absolute not gauge pressure so 1 bar is atmosphere as in empty.


Should be reading like 4-6 bar depending on ambient temp if the system was charged.


If you don't want to pay for diag throw a can with dye (they are more expensive) in and run it until you can find the leak, sounds like it is the condenser though if it was hit. And use a UV light to confirm.

That's what I may do, it's not so much I don't mind paying for a diagnostic on it, just would rather do it myself to track down the problem and fix it then have a shop properly fill it.

Since its been empty due to a leak you'll need to do the receiver dryer and want to make sure that you vacuum it out well and don't just charge it.

Where is the dryer located? I may have someone with the equipment to vacuum and recharge it for me with some freon to find the leak. Trying to find a DIY for the condenser and dryer replacement.

Where is the boonies?

A little past Front Royal, about an hour from Shepherdstown.

[naiku]

Picked up a can of AC Pro and UV dye, added a little freon, cleared the code, fans came on, compressor came on, added a little more freon and some dye. Nice cold air blowing through, left it several minutes and started looking for leaks. The only place I see any dye is where I added it into the system, can't see any on any of the lines, condenser etc.

Been running the AC for about 4 hours today and it's not skipped a beat in 90F. Going to use the black light tomorrow to see if it's leaked anywhere, I feel like it must have, I just can't find where. If there's still no sign of a leak tomorrow, I'll probably get it vacuumed and recharged with the correct amount of freon and, at least for now, call it good.

[Theiceman]

How did you inspect evaporator for leaks as it is inside the AC box ?

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[naiku]

I didn't check the evaporator, and from looking at how to get at it, unless the freon leaks out again with no other visible signs, I'm not tearing the dash out to inspect it.

[Theiceman]

That's likely where the leak is then, but I'm with you re charge and move on

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