1996 Volkswagen Jetta AC Not Cooling

1996 VOLKSWAGEN
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MTALLEYS5
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  • 2 POSTS
:shock: I have a 1996 Jetta, 200,000 miles on it and the AC stopped cooling. Several weeks after this happened the pulley frooze on it and snapped the belt. How do I repair this? Do I have to remove the AC unit or can it be done with the unit in place?

Thanks for any help!
Aug 7, 2006 at 7:27 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 623 POSTS
[quote:3b4645c395="mtalleys5"]:shock: I have a 1996 Jetta, 200,000 miles on it and the AC stopped cooling. Several weeks after this happened the pulley frooze on it and snapped the belt. How do I repair this? Do I have to remove the AC unit or can it be done with the unit in place?

Thanks for any help![/quote:3b4645c395]

This doesnt sound to good. Most likely the compressor may be frozen. The clutch is supposed to turn freely to avoid breaking the belt, but it sounds like thaat may have been messed up when the compressor went bad. Sounds like you are going to have to have the compressor replaced. A new clutch will also be needed. To get the warrenty on the new compressor, the accumulator and expansion tube will need to be replaced, along with the entire system flushed. All and all you are problably looking at around $1,000+ in repairs. If the clutch had not gone bad, then you could ride without air conditioning, but as it is, unless you can find a way to bypass the compressor in the belt system.
Aug 7, 2006 at 10:38 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the seized AC compressor and clutch. For compressor warranty, also replace the accumulator and expansion tube and flush the system; expect roughly $1,000 or more. If air conditioning is not needed, bypass the compressor in the belt drive.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta with 200,000 miles said the AC stopped cooling, then the pulley froze and snapped the belt, and asked whether the compressor could be repaired in place. The expert said the compressor is likely seized and the clutch failed to freewheel, so both should be replaced along with the accumulator, expansion tube, and a system flush for warranty, at a cost of about $1,000 or more. Otherwise the compressor must be bypassed in the belt system.

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