Drivers side blowing cold - All In Cover

[mbenne]

I'm really disappointed in VW jumping to the conclusion that the heat exchanger is immediately the problem (the dearest item)when the errors clearly show that the flap position sensor is stuck/grounded as mentioned in my previous post. The small plastic actuator is really not fit for purpose and VW don't even list it as a spare part, you need to by the whole motor unit with the actuator on it. I had to buy a replacement piece on the internet and plug it in to the motor.
This is basically a mechanical piece failing and then producing an electrical fault when the potentiometer in the motor revolves too far.
Cannot understand why they won't just take a torch and look up under the foot well with the small panel removed and visually check the flap linkage! They should know where it is.
Might be worth another chat and ask to speak to a technician? Failing that another dealer if they don't seem to be playing ball, they're not exactly going out of their way to help you much.

Visual inspection completed as per your advice.

It's definitely a broken actuator arm and redoing VCDS confirmed same fault as the VW mechanic.

I'll be going back to them to confirm that the fault is covered under warranty. It was a shame we didn't have a spare to hand as it would have been fixed now. But I suppose that's why I took out the extended warranty.

 

[mbenne]

Thanks for all your help.

 

[mbenne]

UPDATE - thought you might appreciate knowing the final outcome.

The heater problem fix was deferred until this week as it coincided with the MOT and saved two visits to the dealer.

All went well, MOT pass - no faults and heater problem finally diagnosed and fixed under All In One extended warranty.

Not sure what the issue was exactly, as everything indicated that it was a broken actuator arm but the engineer's comment reads:

CONFIRMED CUSTOMER REPORT OF AIR CON SYSTEM FAULT, ON INSPECTION FOUND HEATER BOX TO HAVE INTERNAL DEFECT. REMOVED AND REPLACED HEATER BOX WITH NEW. TEST CONFIRMS FAULT RECTIFIED.

No idea how much this would have cost as the invoice shows £0 for labour and components, but based on labour costs alone (previously quoted circa £900) for dashboard removal the 2yr All In One premium has paid for itself.

Looking forward to another stress free year of motoring and camping!

 

[mbenne]

UPDATE - thought you might appreciate knowing the final outcome.

The heater problem fix was deferred until this week as it coincided with the MOT and saved two visits to the dealer.

All went well, MOT pass - no faults and heater problem finally diagnosed and fixed under All In One extended warranty.

Not sure what the issue was exactly, as everything indicated that it was a broken actuator arm but the engineer's comment reads:

CONFIRMED CUSTOMER REPORT OF AIR CON SYSTEM FAULT, ON INSPECTION FOUND HEATER BOX TO HAVE INTERNAL DEFECT. REMOVED AND REPLACED HEATER BOX WITH NEW. TEST CONFIRMS FAULT RECTIFIED.

No idea how much this would have cost as the invoice shows £0 for labour and components, but based on labour costs alone (previously quoted circa £900) for dashboard removal the 2yr All In One premium has paid for itself.

Looking forward to another stress free year of motoring and camping!

 

[flying banana]

See update below.
My son, who is an aircraft engineer, originally pointed out the A/C issue on a recent trip to France. He was appalled at the dealers response, particularly as the outcome of the engineers VSDC test was never recorded on the inspection outcome.

Ii they'd pointed out the fault then explained the cost with an indication that it would probably be covered under warranty I'd have been a lot happier. As it is, I feel that they are being cagey!

Can't your son fix it or you?

 

[mbenne]

Can't your son fix it or you?

 

[mbenne]

No point. It was fixed under warranty yesterday.

 

[flying banana]

No point. It was fixed under warranty yesterday.

So was it the snapped rotor flap arm?

 

[mbenne]

So was it the snapped rotor flap arm?

So was it the snapped rotor flap arm?

Hi, see post #25.

 

[sidepod]

This is utter nonsense. These actuator servo motors have been problematic for over 25 years. They are basically unchanged in all that time.

Access is tricky but doable from the footwell once any cover panels are removed.

Once replaced a quick basic settings reset in VCDS is all that’s required.

I’d seriously consider finding a decent independent mechanic.

 

[Cloudbreak]

Sorry to raise this as I can see this problem has been well documented, but.......

Took our 19 reg T6 Ocean (pre reg vehicle at 17 miles purchased from and serviced by them - now done 16500 miles) to Swansway B'ham this am to investigate drivers side blowing cold.

They rang back this afternoon quoting £972 for 6 hours labour to remove the dash to diagnose the problem.

Have All In One cover but does anyone know if temp sensors, control flap servo motor/linkages are normally covered under this warranty? Seems to be a gamble in that I have no idea whether I'm covered or not until they've done their 6 hours work.

Would have felt happier if they'd confirmed exactly what they've done to rule out anything that could be established by a visual check or VCDS scan first. I'd hate to think they know what the issue it but still quoting to remove the dash regardless.

Think I'm going to have to ask these questions when I collect the van this afternoon but more to the point could the problem be anything more serious than the usual issues?

Hi I have a 2019 Ocean and had exactly the same issue. Having investigated it is a common issue with the actuator lever which shears on the actuator. If you look up under your dashboard and shine a torch you will see the black actuator and probably the white plastic linkage arm. If your lever has broken you will see it moving around if you manually move the flap from fully open to closed ( ps this is a temporary fix if you find this happening in Austria in minus 15!).
I look my van to the local garage I’d used for years. The part is non replaceable by vw until the year later when they changed the design and you could buy the new lever and linkage as a part( around £35). Unfortunately their offer was a complete new heater matrix. However here’s the sting, they removed the dash and the driver seat to gain access. I convinced them to remove the actuator ( three 5mm nuts and fit a 3D printed replacement lever I purchased of the internet. They grumbled and charged me £750 for removing the dash. Roll forward 6 months and it happened again. I sourced same part ( different supplier) and found a different garage who charged me £100 to fit.
Lessons? The lever on the 2019 model is not fit for purpose, VW know this is a common problem, there is work around, but dealers won’t do that. They must calibrate the actuator after fitting and fit the lever when the flap is in full cold setting. The lever should travel 105 degrees I think before it hits stop.
Good luck!