Bad Climate: Causes and Solutions

Hi!

I've already posted in another forum, but unfortunately, it didn't get much attention. Maybe it will work better here.
Hi!

My wife's A4, model 2000, has the newer version of the air conditioning system with the small display. Unlike my A3, the air in the A4 always comes out of the center vents (defroster vents). The temperature control itself works perfectly, and the air distribution can also be adjusted by pressing the buttons. This probably rules out a jammed mechanism.
However, achieving the same comfortable environment as in my car is not possible. Either your feet get cold or hot, or there's a draft on your face. If you turn off or close the air vents, it becomes noisy due to the partially closed valve, or there's either no airflow or insufficient airflow into the cabin. This behavior cannot be corrected by adjusting the desired temperature.
Kann man grundsätzlich die Einstellung der Anlage verändern? WDoes he know what to do?

Best regards,
Uwe

Hi!

So, an answer to Uwe's question would also be very interesting to me, as I have the same problem (same year, same model).

Hi Uwe,

The Kimatronic system in the A4 seems to be so bad that one of our company's A4s is always parked in the yard (no one wants to drive it).

Hi Bertil!

Which A4 model do you have in your company, and what exactly is the problem?

Best regards,
Uwe

Hi Uwe,

... you're asking questions... It's a gasoline-powered car, manufactured in May 2000 (according to the VIN). I don't know anything else about the car. The vehicle registration document only states "Registered according to §19-3 as a test vehicle of the vehicle manufacturer."
Either you need a thick jacket in that car, or you're driving around in a sauna. There's nothing in between. Also, I have the feeling that there isn't enough fresh air in the car.

Hmmm,

nur zu warm oder zu kalt ist es bei mir nicht, die Temperaturregelung geht einwandfrei. Wenn die Econ-Taste gedrückt ist, beschlagen oft die Scheiben (auch nach längerer Fahrzeit ohne Klimakompressor). Scheinbar kommt tatsächlich insgesamt zuwenig Luft in den Innenraum, und die kommt leider nur aus den mittleren Düsen. Weiss denn niemand, ob man den Klimarechner irgendwie beeinflussen kann? Hat jemand ähnliche Erfahrungen? A4 Model 2000.

Best regards,
Uwe

Hello,

It might not help you, but the automatic climate control works perfectly on my A3 .
Could there possibly be something broken with your system, such as the servo motor of a valve?
Have you already read the error memory of the climate control system?
I'm not sure if there's a control element test here, but it might be worth trying.

Best regards, Rainer.

Hi Rainer!

I also own an A3, the exact same model as yours. That's why I have a point of comparison for how the air conditioning system should work. My wife drives the A4.

By pressing the buttons, the air distribution changes, so the actuators must be working. However, the buttons only allow for an on/off position. This means that a reasonable air distribution, like the one I'm used to in my A3, cannot be achieved (e.g., cold feet vs. warm feet). My workshop doesn't know what to do; they performed a control unit reset, which recalibrates the actuators or re-reads the end stops of the flaps. They didn't evaluate the error memory, or at least they didn't tell me anything about it. Has anyone had similar experiences? Or perhaps someone has a solution?

Best regards,
Uwe

I have a brand new Skoda Octavia and I can confirm the behavior of the Climatronic system.

When I press the AUTO button, the system tries to blow air through the air vents (manually adjustable vents) with full force. When it needs to heat the interior, the airflow gradually distributes to the foot vents and defroster vents. In pure cooling mode, the air blasts from the man vents directly at my face, and that's how it stays. I then press the foot vents and defroster buttons, and then it's okay.

'This behavior also annoys me, because the phrase 'do not direct the airflow towards the body' in the instructions sounds like a bad joke when the device is only blowing air from the mannan nozzles. (By the way, the air temperature at this location is 9°C).'

However, in all the VAG forums, all owners of newer Climatronic systems are complaining about this behavior...

Just to avoid any misunderstanding: the temperature control system works perfectly! It's just the 'AUTO' button that could use some improvement.

CU Gremlin.

The behavior of the Climatronik is perfectly normal, and it essentially can't be any different, or rather, it's just not very useful in a different way.

Cold air sinks from top to bottom, so the cold air needs to be directed upwards to ensure even cooling of the interior. If only the vents at the bottom were used, it would take a very long time for the cold air to reach the top. Furthermore, the windows at the top would additionally warm the air.

The rule of thumb for air conditioning is: cool head, warm feet. This is the most comfortable for the average person. Not the other way around. Cold feet can only lead to colds.

However, the defrost vents are too small to channel the appropriate amount of air into the passenger compartment, so it can only be done through the main air intake vents.

To avoid getting a ticket, the following rules apply:

1. Alle Düsen auf max. Open the door.
2. Set the temperature to be no more than 4-5°C cooler than the outside temperature.
3. Rotate the middle nozzles upwards towards the ceiling. Rotate the side nozzles upwards towards the side windows.

If it's always possible, just try lowering the fan speed by one or two levels (this can be done without disabling the automatic settings).

Hi (variants)!

Varianti wrote:

To avoid getting a ticket, the following rules apply: 1. Alle Düsen auf max. Open the door. 2. Set the temperature to be no more than 4-5°C cooler than the outside temperature. 3. Rotate the middle nozzles upwards towards the ceiling. Rotate the side nozzles upwards towards the side windows. If it's always possible, just try lowering the fan speed by 1-2 levels (this can be done without the automatic setting turning off).

1. Are now open!
2. What should I do when the outside temperature is 36 degrees Celsius?
3. Then, the rear of the car is heated, while the air flows past the occupants in the front.

I have direct experience, as we own two cars with TDIs. In principle, you are right. When there's a strong desire for cooling, the system should and does direct the airflow onto the body. However, with the newer system, it does this constantly, even with small temperature differences between the inside and outside. Nothing comes out of the other vents. The windows also often fog up, of course, only when the compressor is off (econ). When the car is heated, the socks eventually start to steam because the footwell isn't cooled, or you get freezing toes if you press the "air-down" button.
The older system works basically as you described. I have it set to around 22 degrees Celsius and I don't change anything; the control system works almost perfectly and distributes the air exactly as needed. The only thing that could be better is the cooling performance.
My question was whether the regulation or program can be influenced in any way.

Best regards,
Uwe

Uwe, do you have the ability to read out the Climatronic system? I'm interested in the soft coding, the control unit number, and the software version.

CU Gremlin.

No, I can only read Climacodes. I think they go up to 86. If it's helpful, I can also go to the workshop; I have a good relationship with them. They would take care of it for me.

Best regards,
Uwe

Hello,

It's great that there were so many responses, but unfortunately, I'm still no further along. So, what's the answer now? Is it possible to adjust something, or not?

Diesel screws.

Hello,

I don't quite understand the problem.

You can activate the vents individually; in AUTO mode, only the 'man' vents operate initially. Then, you can simply add the footwell vents and the windshield vents, and air will blow from all vents, with the cold air being blown in largely without drafts. This should also work in the A4.

It's perfectly normal for the windows to fog up briefly when in ECON mode. Based on my experience, it's best to switch to ECON mode about 5 minutes before reaching your destination after driving with the air conditioning on for a longer period. This helps prevent fogging, and it also prevents the air conditioning system from developing a musty smell over time when it's turned off.

Hi Thomas!

Unfortunately, you can't activate the ejectors in the same way as you might be used to with the older system. Or have you already got the new one???
"When I press the vent button, air only blows from that specific vent. If I activate the center vent, it pulls air. If I leave it off, my feet get cold or hot, and the climate control is insufficient. If I activate the windshield vent, it pulls air even more."
I am aware that after using the air conditioning system, the windows can fog up due to the residual moisture. In my A4, even after driving for days in "Econ" mode, the tendency for fogging is very high because NO air is directed towards the windows. I constantly have to press buttons to create a comfortable climate. That's exactly my problem!

Best regards,
Uwe