Climatronic fault & noise from behind glove box

[k818dn4]

Hi

I've got a PASSAT 1999 1.8 SE right hand drive and the Climatronic system has stopped working :-

1. Start engine - Climatronic display flashes for approx 15sec then returns to normal
2. Clicking noise comes from behind the glove box.
3. There is no air movement, i.e. fan not working.
4. When driving car clicking noise disappears.
5. Stopping car clicking noise reappears.

Changing setting on Climatronic panel:-

1, Increase\decrease fan speed - nothing happens
2. Select Auto, ECON - nothing happens (although there is actuator noise from behind the dash)
3. Select Recirculate - hear actuator noise closing flaps.
4. Select external air - hear actuator noise opening flaps.

Can anyone tell me the best way to determine what has failed before resorting to main dealer.:1zhelp:

Darren

[MalcQV]

Sounds like this is an issue for the main dealer. Could be something as simple as a connection, but then maybe not. Without a "Haynes Manual :biglaugh:" or something along those lines which nobody ever has now, you are not going to have much luck.

I have just bought a 2003 2.0S with the Climatronic and having never owned a German car let alone a VW before, I bought it form a main dealer with a 12 months warranty. I always said every car I buy must have A/C, my last car a 96 Accord did but it never really worked. Now I am at the other extreme with climate control :(. If I have problems I hope it is in the first 12 months!

Good luck.

[Gaz the Cab]

It sounds like the fan has packed in to me:-
http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=vwtech&Number=943855&Searchpage=1&Main=943855&Words=heater+fan&topic=&Search=true#Post943855
I'm sure there was a write up on replacing/repairing the fan somewhere on that forum, do a search and you'll likely find more info.

[Huweth]

I reckon the bushes in the blower motor may have failed. I recall reading somewhere about removing the glovebox (not too difficult) and taking out the motor (a bit fiddly, but not too bad). If it is the bushes, some people have fashioned new ones from old drills etc... Apparently you can't buy the exact new bushes to replace old ones. A new/second hand motor is probably the easiest fix. I think I read about this at TDIclub.com. Search there and let us know what you do to sort it...

[k818dn4]

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

Been to the scrap yard today and got a second hand climatronic control unit, and have been fiddling around with the car.

So, I found that the clicking noise is actually the actuator driving the re-circulating flap, i.e. when I press the re-circulate button to re-cycle internal cabin air the clicking noise stops and when I select external air the clicking noise starts again! I have taken the glove box apart and cannot see how to get access to the actuator controlling the flap - Anyone got any ideas?

With respect to the climate control. Well with both climatronic units:

1. When I switch the ignition on then LCD display flashes for approx 10-15sec then returns to normal display.
2. If I adjust the controls to LO the fan starts and air is pumped into the car. I can select Econ or Auto and the system continues to run. However, I do not know why the Climatronic display flashes when first switched on!!!

So I guess this rules out the climatronic unit and fan. I understand there are a number on sensors but how do I work out if any of them are faulty.

Anyone got any ideas. Guess I'm looking at a fault sensors or just a simple re-gas!

Darren

[Bryce]

Hi there,

I too have this clicking sound from behind the glove box, only noticable at low revs to be honest. But my climate control works really well.

Did you ever solve the problem, sounds silly but noises like that annoy the hell out of me!

Cheers,

Bryce.

[tjompen1968]

The 15 second flashing means that there is an indicated malfunction in the climatronic

[Huweth]

My car makes noises from behind the glovebox too. It sounds like a motor turning to adjust the vents etc... so I guess this is normal. It does not click however, so maybe there is something failing or fouling in your climatronic motor Bryce?

[adamss24]

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

Been to the scrap yard today and got a second hand climatronic control unit, and have been fiddling around with the car.

So, I found that the clicking noise is actually the actuator driving the re-circulating flap, i.e. when I press the re-circulate button to re-cycle internal cabin air the clicking noise stops and when I select external air the clicking noise starts again! I have taken the glove box apart and cannot see how to get access to the actuator controlling the flap - Anyone got any ideas?

With respect to the climate control. Well with both climatronic units:

1. When I switch the ignition on then LCD display flashes for approx 10-15sec then returns to normal display.
2. If I adjust the controls to LO the fan starts and air is pumped into the car. I can select Econ or Auto and the system continues to run. However, I do not know why the Climatronic display flashes when first switched on!!!

So I guess this rules out the climatronic unit and fan. I understand there are a number on sensors but how do I work out if any of them are faulty.

Anyone got any ideas. Guess I'm looking at a fault sensors or just a simple re-gas!

Darren
Check if both fans come on when/shortly after you turn the AC(full power). It may be a faulty fan control module ...if you can scan your car for fault codes i would be able to tell more perhaps. Another thing to check would be the multifunction coolant temperature sensor, check for coroded or brocken terminals/ wires. Throw some silicone grease inside while you there. Also another thing gone wrong may be the high pressure sensor. It tcuts power to the compressor clutch.

[Bryce]

My car makes noises from behind the glovebox too. It sounds like a motor turning to adjust the vents etc... so I guess this is normal. It does not click however, so maybe there is something failing or fouling in your climatronic motor Bryce?

I'm wondering if there is a problem with the fan module behind the glove box, how many fan units are there on this car? I noticed that lots of clickings/grinding sounds when I switched the system to recirculation... Hoping this isn't going to require a trip to VW....

Noise is def on the glove box side only...

Cheers for your help!

[Huweth]

I think there are 2 fans. I only know of the one behind the glovebox, although they both might be there...

Perhaps you could try removing the glovebox and playing with the climatronic. This way you might be able to hear/feel the sounds better, and know if it is that fan or the other one (wherever it is).
I've heard that that particular fan is not too difficult to change, but it could of course be other parts next to it, which I haven't heard of people having problems with, so have no idea if it's easy or not.
Good luck!

[k818dn4]

Hi everyone

I've been doing a bit more investigating and the noise from behind my glove box is the motor that drives the flap to source air from either inside or outside the car.

It starts when the engine is started and the motor is drive the flap open. The noise stops as the car increase speed - I guess to reduce the amount of air flow into the car. I've also press the button on the climatronic control to source air from inside the car and the noise stops!

You can put the climatronic into diagnostic mode and select option 13 which shows a reading from 0 to 255 (255 - outside air/0-internal). This can be adjusted and when the value drops below 255 the clicking noise stops. You can also see the flap moving when adjusting this value. When you start to drive the car the value decreases as you speed up.

I've been to VW and they think that is the fault too because they have a lot of those motors in stock.

Havent replaced it yet as not had time to find out how to get to the motor.

Hope this helps and will keep you all posted.

Darren

[ssray]

how do you put climatronic into digonostic mode?

[BazBez]

Hi, I have exactly the same symptoms on the same car Sr eg Passat. This started about 12 months ago and I have been without air con / heater since. It was a gradual process over a month or so but then finally nothing happened. I also get the flashing display on the control unit for the first 10-15 secs. I changed the climate control unit earlier this year but this didn't solve it. It's getting near to winter and I was hoping that I could find the cause without having to go to VW dealer. your findings would be greatly appreciated.

[Golfer7]

Hi, Have heard of lots of issues with recirculation motors clicking, typical symptoms are clicking noise from behind glove box area. To replace motors believe that the dash has to be removed to gain access.
If the climate control panel flashes it usually means there is are fault stored in air con. control unit, a diagnostic test will give you a trouble code which from there you can find root of problem.
Hope this helps, Golfer7

[Bryce]

Hi everyone

I've been doing a bit more investigating and the noise from behind my glove box is the motor that drives the flap to source air from either inside or outside the car.

It starts when the engine is started and the motor is drive the flap open. The noise stops as the car increase speed - I guess to reduce the amount of air flow into the car. I've also press the button on the climatronic control to source air from inside the car and the noise stops!

You can put the climatronic into diagnostic mode and select option 13 which shows a reading from 0 to 255 (255 - outside air/0-internal). This can be adjusted and when the value drops below 255 the clicking noise stops. You can also see the flap moving when adjusting this value. When you start to drive the car the value decreases as you speed up.

I've been to VW and they think that is the fault too because they have a lot of those motors in stock.

Havent replaced it yet as not had time to find out how to get to the motor.

Hope this helps and will keep you all posted.

Darren

Any joy Darren?

[Bryce]

I took my car to Martins in Farnham (used to be Barnet and Small), they have quoted me £650 + VAT to carry out the job. Saying it's mostly labour and that the recirculation valve isn't expensive...

So, looks like I'll be doing this myself sometime soon!!!!

[k818dn4]

Any joy Darren?

Hi,

It wasnt the motor driving the air flow flap, it was the brushes on the fan. I took the fan out and the brushes were very worn so I clean them up put the fan back in and the problem has gone away!!!

Darren:biglaugh:

[evobaz]

Hi,

It wasnt the motor driving the air flow flap, it was the brushes on the fan. I took the fan out and the brushes were very worn so I clean them up put the fan back in and the problem has gone away!!!

Darren:biglaugh:



I had the exact same problem with my 2000 Passat Tdi. Removed the glovebox, removed the heater motor and brushes were well worn. Fitted a set of these and its now as good as new. The dealers charge about £250+vat for the morot then labour on top!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190177135801&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=009