[cleoswalkr]

Hi all,
I have a 2006 Jetta TDI sedan with an annoying problem: the a/c compressor does not kick in until I have been driving for some 10-15 minutes. After that the a/c becomes plenty cold. Idling doesn't seem to help. I'm afraid this may be a real problem in Houston with summer weather on the way -- those 10-15 minutes can get very uncomfortable.

My mechanic thinks it's the a/c clutch, and says that since the clutch is internal to the compressor I need to replace both, along with the evaporator and flush and fill, etc. for about $1100 total. He also said he's seen it before on one or two other VW TDI's, and I'm sure I've seen a reference to something like this on a forum some time back, but can't find it now.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[cleoswalkr]

Thanks for the reply, Gruppe. I've ruled out things like belt and tensioner, since that would still cause problems after the car is warmed up (and the a/c works fine then). An electrical problem may be a bit more likely, though my mechanic says the compressor is getting the correct signal and should engage but doesn't.

I'm wondering if these cars have some sort of temperature sensor that would prevent the a/c clutch from engaging in cold weather. If so, I'm thinking that this sensor could malfunction so that it's set far too hot -- i.e., doesn't allow the compressor to engage until the engine is at full operating temperature. If so, then that would explain my symptoms, and replacing the compressor etc. would be the wrong thing to do. Sound plausible?