Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Test Prerequisites
Check cooling performance. The air conditioning system is functioning correctly when the air flowing from the instrument panel vents has a temperature of 70 C or lower.
Setting on Climatronic "LO".
Setting on air conditioning system "AC" on; "max" ; "cold".
Connections with valve and service connections for measuring and checking.
- Radiator and condenser are clean (clean if necessary)
- Thermal insulation at expansion valve OK and properly installed. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Removal and Installation .
- Ribbed belt is OK and properly tensioned. Ribbed belt for A/C compressor and generator are OK and correctly tensioned. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Removal and Installation .
- All air ducts, covers and seals OK and properly installed
- Fault finding on the electrical equipment and vacuum system found no malfunction. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Diagnosis and Testing .
- The A/C system OBD cannot find malfunctions with the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Fault Finding". The measured value block does not show any shut-off condition for the A/C compressor (only on vehicles with A/C system OBD).
- Air flow through dust and pollen filter not obstructed by dirt. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Removal and Installation .
- The heater and A/C unit does not draw in any secondary air at the highest fresh air blower speed. Evaporator and heater not drawing in secondary air at maximum fresh-air blower speed. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Description and Operation .
- The air flaps in the heater and A/C unit reach their end position. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Description and Operation .
- Fresh-air intake ducts beneath hood and in passenger compartment as well as corresponding water drain valves OK. Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Diagnosis and Testing .
- Engine is warm
- Vehicle not exposed to direct sunlight
- Ambient temperature greater than 15Β°C (60Β°F).
- All instrument panel vents open
- With engine running and maximum cooling output set on air conditioning system:
Refer to [For engine(s) BPY, CCTA, BUB, CBFA] Description and Operation .
Set Maximum Cooling OutputΒ
Setting on A/C Display Control Head -E87-.
-- Preselect "Auto" mode (A/C compressor on).
-- Set temperature selection "LO" for driver's and passenger's side.
Setting on heater controls:
-- A/C button and Rec- or recirculated air button pressed.
-- Temperature dial in the "Cold" position.
-- Rotary fresh-air blower control in "4" position.
- The Coolant Fan -V7- runs (the fans run) (at least in level 1).*
For some versions, fan is switched on only once the pressure in refrigerant circuit has exceeded a specified value.
- The Fresh Air Blower -V2- runs at maximum speed.
- Recirculated/fresh-air door set to "air recirculation mode" (within 1 minute after starting vehicle, air-flow door is closed and recirculated air door opened).*
- Is the coolant shut-off valve closed? *
- Are the valves on the pump valve unit closed and the coolant circulation pump is not pumping?
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.