In a message dated 7/27/98 4:02:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, bpremack@WAVETECH.NET writes: << The a/c on my 86 Syncro GL (non-Westy) was inoperative when I purchased it two years ago. Two weeks ago it was reborn with several hose repairs, a new receiver dryer and an infusion of 134A refrigerant and special ester (sp?) oil. It works great, but.... With the temp control knob on the warmest setting, the air is really cold, and does not feel any colder if the knob is turned to a "colder" setting. (Sorry, I have not checked it with an accurate thermometer.) After about 45-60 minutes the air gets warmer until it seems as if the a/c is no longer operating. If the van is parked for 30-60 minutes, there is a puddle under the right side of the rear bumper (water from the drain hose). Upon restarting, the a/c works fine again. <<SNIPPPPP>> What is the problem? Is it a bad temperature control switch, a/c thermostadt or capillary tube, expansion valve, or ? The top and side pillar housings were not removed, so the evaporator, expansion valve, relays, etc. have not been physically examined. <SNIP >> Bud--- Sounds like the same problem I had on my Jetta last year. (Since VW uses virtually identical control systems for the AC), it is most likely the same problem you have. I'm sorry I can't be completely Vanagon specific. The AC thermostat is stuck. Yes, you have an AC thermostat, it is there to keep condensation from icing-over the evaporator, blocking the airflow, and *possibly* bending the fins/cracking the coils. This is the part of the system that cycles your compressor on and off while the AC is set to "on" The thermostat is located right next to the evaporator, and has two wires running to it. It consists of (on my Jetta) a 9" long, thin, sealed metal tube (I think called an "ampule tube" ?) that connects to a 1" x 1.5" metal box with two terminals, and two tiny hex-head adjusting screws. On my Jetta, removing/replacing the thermostat is expensive. The part is about $100, the labor... :(...You can get to the thermostat just fine, but on replacement, the ampule tube has to be inserted in a very particular little holder, just downstream of the airflow out of the evaporator. The dash has to be removed/disassembled to accomplish this. :( The thermostat is set (roughly), to cycle the compressor off when the ampule is exposed to air below a certain temperature (35?) for longer than a certain period of time (20 seconds??). The adjusting screws adjust the temperature, and length of time the ampule will endure the temp until cycling off. Hope this helps your mechanic, gmbulley cary, nc |
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