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Checking With Expansion Valve And Reservoir With Internally Regulated A/C Compressor

NOTE:

Connecting service station, refer to SERVICING STATION, CONNECTING FOR MEASURING AND TESTING .

Observe test requirements, refer to PRESSURES, CHECKING .

-- Bring engine speed up to 2000 RPM.

-- Observe manometer battery.

NOTE:

Switching pressures and design of refrigerant circuit switches are vehicle-specific.

The pressures should be measured at the service connections. The location of these connections is vehicle-specific.

Refer to [For engine(s) BLV, CCTA, CBFA] Description and Operation

Target values 

High-pressure side 

Increasing from initial pressure (when connecting pressure gauges) to a maximum of 20 bar.

Low-pressure side 

Decreasing from initial pressure (when connecting pressure gauges) to the value in the graph.

Fig 1: Identifying Permissible Tolerance Range Graph
GWWA87-0146Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

A - High pressure in bar

B - Low pressure in bar

C - Permissible tolerance range

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High pressure remains constant or increases only slightly (above pressure with engine stopped),
  • Low pressure quickly drops to value in graph or below
  • Required cooling output is not attained
Not enough refrigerant in circuit or expansion valve malfunctioning. -- Extract refrigerant from refrigerant circuit
  • If quantity of refrigerant extracted roughly corresponds to specified capacity:
-- Replace expansion valve-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
  • High pressure normal
  • Low pressure in line with value in graph
  • Required cooling output is not attained
 
  • If quantity of refrigerant extracted is substantially less than specified capacity:
-- Localize leak with leak detector and eliminate-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
NOTE:

If no malfunction can be found and the function of the A/C system is not correct after repeating the test, flush (clean) refrigerant circuit with refrigerant R134a. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A . If that is not possible in this workshop, flush the refrigerant circuit with compressed air and remove moisture with nitrogen. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH COMPRESSED AIR AND NITROGEN .

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High pressure increases above specification
  • Low pressure quickly drops to value in graph or below
  • Required cooling output is not attained
  • Constriction or obstruction in refrigerant circuit
  • Expansion valve malfunctioning
-- Run hand over refrigerant circuit to check for differences in temperature
  • If difference in temperature is found at one component:
-- Replace hose or pipe if kinked or constricted-- If there is an obstruction, flush refrigerant circuit with compressed air and nitrogen and replace expansion valve.
  • If no malfunction can be found.
-- Flush (clean) refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A .-- Repeat test
NOTE:

If the function is not correct after flushing the refrigerant circuit, the expansion valve must be replaced.

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High and low pressure normal at first
  • After some time, high pressure increases above specification and low pressure drops to value in graph or below
  • Required cooling output is no longer attained.
  • Expansion valve malfunctioning
  • Moisture in refrigerant circuit
-- Examine expansion valve for dirt or corrosion; replace if necessary-- Refrigerant Circuit, Flushing with Compressed Air and Nitrogen-- Replace fluid reservoir.-- Repeat test if function is not OK.-- Flush (clean) refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A .-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
NOTE:

Always replace reservoir in case of this malfunction.

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High pressure normal or too high (see diagram),
  • Required cooling output is not attained
  • A/C compressor noise (particularly after switch-on)
  • To much refrigerant in the circuit.
  • Expansion valve or A/C compressor faulty.
-- Extract refrigerant from refrigerant circuit
  • If quantity of refrigerant extracted roughly corresponds to specified capacity:
-- Replace expansion valve-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
  • If quantity of refrigerant extracted is substantially greater than specified capacity:
-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
NOTE:

If the function of the A/C system is not correct when the test is repeated, re-install old expansion valve and flush refrigerant circuit with compressed air and nitrogen. Then replace A/C compressor and reservoir.

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High pressure only increases slightly above pressure with engine stopped
  • Low pressure drops only slightly
  • Required cooling output is not attained
  • A/C compressor faulty.
-- Flush (clean) refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A .-- Replace A/C compressor and reservoir.
Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High pressure normal
  • Low pressure too low (see graph)
  • The required cooling performance is obtained
  • Expansion valve or A/C compressor faulty
-- Replace expansion valve-- Charge the refrigerant circuit-- Repeat test
NOTE:

If A/C system function is not OK when the test is repeated, flush (clean) refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A . Then replace A/C compressor and reservoir.

With this malfunction, evaporator may ice up although quantity of refrigerant in circuit is OK.

Possible Deviation From Specification Possible Cause Of Fault Corrective Action
  • High and low pressure normal
  • Required cooling output is not attained
To much refrigerant oil in the circuit. -- Discharge refrigerant circuit-- Flush (clean) refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R134A .
  • High and low pressure normal
  • A/C compressor noise (particularly after switch-on)
  • The required cooling performance is obtained
   
NOTE:

Overfilling with refrigerant oil can occur in the event, for example, the compressor has been replaced without adjusting the quantity of refrigerant oil.

If the A/C compressor is not replaced, the refrigerant oil should be drained from the A/C compressor via the oil drain plug. Out of the entire quantity of refrigerant oil Maintenance, Diagnosis , 50 grams should be put in the A/C compressor and the rest in the refrigerant circuit.