> Well, just as I was beginning to believe that my 93 EV GL was immune > to most of the problems that plague EV owners, my A/C system tries to > self-destruct. The following events transpired over the last week: > > Thursday - I noticed that the A/C wasn't cooling as well as before. I > checked to see if the fans automatically come on when A/C was turned > on. They wouldn't, so I figured it must be the infamous series > resistors. > > Friday - Pulled the cover below the left headlight and, sure enough, > they were both toast. Went to the dealer and bought two new revised > 'D' suffix resistors (superseded the original 'B' suffix resistors). > Installed both resistors. Both fans now seem to be working correctly. > I checked pressure relief valve on the redrier(receiver-dryer) and it > looked OK. > > Sunday - After driving for approximately 10 miles on the interstate, I > exit and stop at the first red light. I see white smoke coming from > under my hood!!!! I immediately exit to a parking lot and shut off the > engine. The smoke and burning smell is coming from the lower right > corner of the engine (either the alternator or the A/C compressor). > The smoke doesn't seem to be coming from the alternator, and after all > the EV Update articles about the A/C system, I suspect the compressor. > I turn off the A/C and restart the engine, no more smoke. I drive home > (2 miles) and pull the pan covering the engine. The A/C compressor > clutch is charred and the compressor will not turn. I disconnect the > wires to the compressor clutch to prevent accidental reengagement. > > Bottom Line - At least the compressor and clutch appear to be ruined. > I don't know about the rest of the system. I'm going to leave it at > the dealer tomorrow to confirm the diagnosis and give me an estimate > to repair. > > NOW THE QUESTION - Has anything like this happened to anyone else? > Is it possible for a failed series resistor to do this much damage to > the entire system in the period of a few days? I intend to discuss the > whole matter with the VW area rep if necessary. Based on the number of > owners reporting A/C problems and Volkswagen's subsequent redesign of > the series resistor, the original part seems obviously flawed and > should have been a recall item. The A/C system SHOULD NOT > self-destruct at 52,000 miles! > > If anyone was experienced this or a similar problem, please contact > me. > > Thanks, > > Tony Treace > atreace@hasimons.com > > (404) 378-0635 (H) > (404) 370-3294 (W) >