Troubleshooting the air-conditioning system following complaints about cooling output

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Porsche Macan and 2015 Porsche Macan. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Information

The troubleshooting steps shown must be used if complaints are received about the cooling output of the air-conditioning system.

Information

If it is not possible to clearly detect a leak using a leak detector, a leak detector additive supplied by Waeco, for example, can be used. This can be used for the refrigerant R124a and R1234yf:

Leak detector additive: Tracer UV additive (500 ml container) TP-3525-500 specifically for Waeco air conditioning service equipment .

Leak detector additive: Tracer UV additive (stick) TP-9825-0301; can be used universally for all air conditioning service equipment .

For vehicles with refrigerant R134a, the leak detector additive Traserline TP 3860 in dissolved form can also be used.

Special adapter kits are required for filling the Tracer UV additive (stick) TP-9825-0301 and Traserline TP 3860; these are also available from air conditioning service equipment providers (e.g. Waeco).

Instructions for use and the procedure for filling the air-conditioning system can be found in the operating instructions provided by the respective air conditioning service equipment provider.

Condition	Specification OK	Specification not OK
1 ) Check the cooling output, temperature and air flow. Check the air distribution by making adjustments to the air-conditioning control panel. Start the vehicle and check the air-conditioning system for the prescribed nominal temperature values. → 8X00IN NOMINAL VALUES FOR PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES	Specified air flow and temperature is reached. Air distribution is working. Continue with Step 2 ).	Insufficient air flow from the exhaust vents. Continue with Step 3 ). Required temperature is not reached. Continue with Step 2 ).
2 ) Perform on-board diagnosis on all control units. PIWIS Tester II 9818	No fault memory stored, air flow and temperature complies with specified nominal values. Function OK. No further action required . No fault memory stored and the temperature does not reach the specified nominal values. Continue with Step 4 ).	Fault present: Work through fault memory in accordance with "Guided Fault Finding". Continue with Step 1 ).
3 ) Check the following points one after the other. Replace if necessary. Remove active carbon/particle filter and check for dirt and dust particles. → 85181900 REMOVING AND INSTALLING PARTICLE FILTER Check fan motor for correct function and adjustment. Use wiring diagram if necessary.	Fan motor and active carbon filter OK. Continue with Step 4 ).	Replace active carbon/particle filter if necessary. Check mechanical operation (air distribution) of the servo motors/flaps and repair them if necessary, e.g. → WM 872019 Removing and installing servo motor for right center vent . Following repairs, continue with Step 1 ).
4 ) Connect air-conditioning service equipment, measure high and low pressure and compare with nominal values. → 8X00IN NOMINAL VALUES FOR PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES	High and low pressure OK. Function OK. No further action required .	High pressure too high, continue with Step 5 ). High pressure too low, continue with Step 6 ). Low pressure too high, continue with Step 7 ). Low pressure too low, continue with Step 8 ).
5 ) High pressure too high. Check the following points one after the other: Check condenser for dirt/dust particles and damage. Check electrical function, condenser fan activation. Drain refrigerant, measure and document the amount of refrigerant removed. > Too much refrigerant. → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT		Clean the condenser. Repair condenser fan activation mechanism. Use wiring diagram. Fill the air-conditioning system with the prescribed amount of refrigerant. → 8X00IN TECHNICAL DATA FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT R134A AND R1234YF Continue with Step 1 ).
6 ) High pressure too low. Check the following points one after the other: Check electrical function, air-conditioning compressor activation. Drain refrigerant, measure and document the amount of refrigerant.	>> If the amount of refrigerant is correct, remove the expansion valve and check for foreign bodies (e.g. chips, abrasion). → 87701900 REMOVING AND INSTALLING EXPANSION VALVE → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT Replace expansion valve if necessary. Continue with Step 1 )	Repair air-conditioning compressor activation mechanism. Use wiring diagram. >> If there is not enough refrigerant, fill the air conditioning system according to specifications. → 8X00IN TECHNICAL DATA FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT R134A AND R1234YF Check refrigerant circuit and connection points using a leak detector. >> Once you have determined the cause of refrigerant loss, replace seal or spare part. Continue with Step 1 )
7 ) Low pressure too high. Check the following points one after the other: Drain refrigerant and measure and document the amount of refrigerant. >> Too much refrigerant. → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT	If the amount of refrigerant is correct, remove the expansion valve and check for foreign bodies (e.g. chips, abrasion). → 87701900 REMOVING AND INSTALLING EXPANSION VALVE → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT Replace expansion valve if necessary. Continue with Step 1 )	>> If there is too much refrigerant, fill the air conditioning system according to specifications. → 8X00IN TECHNICAL DATA FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT R134A AND R1234YF Continue with Step 1 )
8 ) Low pressure too low. Check the following points one after the other: Drain refrigerant and measure the amount of refrigerant. >> Not enough refrigerant. → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT Loosen lines on the air-conditioning compressor and check for foreign bodies (e.g. chips, abrasion). → 873419 REMOVING AND INSTALLING AIR-CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR	If the amount of refrigerant is correct, remove the expansion valve and check for foreign bodies (e.g. chips, abrasion). → 87701900 REMOVING AND INSTALLING EXPANSION VALVE → 87031700 DRAINING AND FILLING REFRIGERANT Replace expansion valve if necessary. Continue with Step 1 )	Fill the air-conditioning system with the prescribed amount of refrigerant. → 8X00IN TECHNICAL DATA FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT R134A AND R1234YF Check refrigerant circuit and connection points using a leak detector. >> Once you have determined the cause of refrigerant loss, replace seal or spare part. Replace air-conditioning compressor if necessary. Continue with Step 1 )