Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

Jetta

2013

CBPA,CBTA,CBUA,
CJAA

All

All

All

Jetta

2014

CBPA, CJAA

All

All

All

Jetta

2015

CVCA,CBPA

All

All

All

Jetta

2015

CPRA,CPKA,CPLA,
CPPA

All

AJ - FM313889

AJ_FM499999

Jetta

2016

All

All

All

All

Passat

2013-2016

CBUA,CBTA,CDVB,
CKRA,CVCA

All

All

All

Passat

2015-2016

CPKA,CPRA

All

A3_EC115640

A3_GC999999

Golf/Jetta
SportWagen

2013-2014

CJAA,CBTA,CBUA

All

All

All

NB/NBC

2013-2014

CJAA,CBTA,CBUA,

All

All

All

NB

2015

CVCA

All

All

All

NB

2015

CPRA,CPKA,
CPLA,CPPA

All

AT_FM643884

AT_FM699999

NBC

2015

CPRA,CPKA,
CPLA,CPPA

All

AT_FM813985

AT_FM899999

NB/NBC

2016

All

All

All

All

Note:
For Passat Jetta and NB 1.8T and 2.0T from June of 2014 to February 2015 production a mix of Denso and
Sanden compressors were installed. The N280 valve is for Sanden compressors only. Be sure to check
the compressor type installed before replacing the N280 valve.

Condition
87 16 13 July 26, 2016 2044165 Supersedes Technical Bulletin V871611 dated July 11, 2016 to include a
corrected Refrigerant Circuit Adapter in the parts table.
Air Conditioning Does Not Cool and or Compressor is Noisy

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© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
One or more of the following conditions are exhibited:
•

The air conditioning does not cool, or the cooling performance is very weak.

•

The air conditioning system cools, but the compressor is noisy. The noise is characterized as a grinding or
groaning noise.

•

Either symptom may be intermittent.

•

No DTCs are stored.
Note:

The AC performance test must be completed before performing this procedure to eliminate any other
fault conditions. It is mandatory for all compressor reimbursement. See TB 2043704 for information on
performing the AC performance test.

Technical Background
The condition may be caused by a faulty A/C compressor regulator valve N280 (Sanden). The internal
components of the valve can be obstructed and incapable of full function. This loss of refrigerant regulation from
N280 can cause noise from the air conditioning compressor and/or affect the HVAC cooling.

Figure 1 N280 Refrigerant Regulating Valve 1K0260839

Note:
This bulletin applies to vehicle built with Sanden 1K0820803, 1K0820808 and SC0820803 compressors only. The
replacement N280 valve is not compatible with other Sanden compressors . The N280 valve is not compatible with
any Denso compressors .
If a Denso compressor is installed on the vehicle this bulletin does not apply. Further diagnosis is
required. See TB 2043704 for information on performing the AC performance test.
Page 2 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Production Solution
No production change required.

Service
Since either symptom may be intermittent, the diagnostic process can affect the reproducibility of the
condition. Begin the diagnosis by isolating the cause before performing the basic checks.

Connect both the refrigerant service station
(Figure 4) and the diagnostic tester to the
vehicle.

Figure 4. Robinair A/C Service Unit.
Cases of noise:
When diagnosing cases of noise, use chassis ears or a technician's stethoscope to make sure that the root cause
of the noise is from the air conditioning compressor. The noise can change or may be absent depending on the
setting on the HVAC control unit. In many cases, the noise is more pronounced with the system switched OFF.
Cases of low or no cooling performance:
Note:
All faults in Guided Fault Finding and the AC performance test must be completed before performing this
procedure to eliminate any other fault conditions. It is mandatory for all compressor reimbursement. See
TB 2043704 for information on performing the AC performance test.
Page 3 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Rule out a refrigerant circuit leak as the root cause. Evacuate the refrigerant circuit to determine the refrigerant
volume. The refrigerant volume will likely be in specification. Should the refrigerant volume be too low, investigate
a potential refrigerant leak in the circuit. It is not likely that the refrigerant level will be too high because if it is, a
OTC will be stored. If no system leak is determined, recharge the circuit with the specified amount of refrigerant
before proceeding.

Perform the following diagnostic steps:

With the engine at idle, switch the climate control unit to full cold and full fan.
Turn recirculation mode on and close all windows.
Using the diagnostic tester, go to Guided Functions.
Monitor the measuring value for the air
conditioner compressor regulating valve N280
signal (Figure 5).
The actual and specified values will be
plausible and will show a normal regulating
range of current for cooling request (0.400 A
- 0.820 A).

Figure 5. Checking N280 signal value Measuring Value Block.

After verifying the compressor should be on
and operating check the gauge readings on
the Robinair® service station. If the gauges
show no pressure generation from the
compressor continue to the next step.
(Example of no pressure generation is
when the pressure readings on the high
and low sides are equalized in Figure 6).

Figure 6. Equalized pressure condition. No pressure generated
from compressor.

Note: If the gauge readings are
showing normal compressor operation per
the Elsa Repair Manual, this bulletin does
not apply and further diagnosis is
required.

Page 4 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Check that the compressor torque limiter has
not been activated (Figure 7b).

I Note: If the torque limiter has been
released the N280 regulating valve is not
at fault. The compressor needs to be
replaced.

Figure 7a. Example of torque limiter over load protection
activated.

Figure 7b. Example of torque limiter over load protection still
intact.

Page 5 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
For MY2016 vehicles with Sanden AC
compressor 1K0820808H make sure the
compressor clutch is engaged when the AC is
switched on.
If clutch is not engaging perform diagnosis of
the compressor clutch J44 test.
Check that adaptation channel 9 and is set
at 1 for clutch enabled. (See TT 87-16-01 ).

I Note: If the AC compressor clutch is not
engaging this bulletin does not apply.

Figure 8. MY2016 AC compressor with clutch (Sanden)

Shut off the engine. Connect the breakout
harness VAS 5256 (Figure 9) between the
N280 valve and its connector.

Figure 9. VAS 5256 breakout harness.
Page 6 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Go to Operating Mode "Measurements" to
check the N280 signal from the control
module.
Select Measurements.
Select oscilloscope.
Change time division to 2ms/Div (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Select Measurements from operating mode menu".

Select the correct DSO channel according the
test leads hooked to the vehicle (Figure 10).

Figure 11. Setting up DSO channel".

Change the voltage to SVDiv.
Check the signal wave form (Figure 11). The
square wave signal should be between 75%
and 100%.
If the wave form signal is good, the
mechanical integrity of the N280 valve needs
to be inspected.
GO TO: Removing/Installing the N280
Regulating valve.

Figure 12. Checking the N280 signal wave form.

Page 7 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Removing/Installing the N280 Regulating valve.
Recover the refrigerant from the system. Remove the N280 valve using the following procedure.

A
~

WARNING:

With the refrigerant circuit charged the N280 valve is under pressure. Be certain that the refrigerant
circuit is completely discharged before removing the N280 valve.
Remove one of the A/C lines from the compressor to assure the pressure in the compressor is the same
as ambient pressure.

1. Remove circlip-A- carefully.

Circlip must be reused .
2. Carefully remove the A/C Compressor Regulator Valve
-N280- -B- from the A/C compressor mount -C-, using a
suitable screwdriver -D-, for example (Figure 13).

Figure 13. Circlip / N280 removal

Page 8 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Assess the condition of the N280 valve bore
and the valve filter screen (Figure 14). If severe
contamination is found in valve bore there is a
risk of damaging the replacement valve on
installation In these cases the A/C compressor
must be replaced.

A slight amount of debris or corrosion does
not present a risk and does not justify
replacement of the AC compressor.

Figure 14. Corrosion in the N280 valve bore.

Should severe contamination be found at the
valve filter screen (Figure 15) and A/C
compressor replacement becomes necessary,
ensure that the refrigerant circuit is flushed in
the course of repair.

Small random particles on the filter screen
does not constitute "severe" contamination
and does not justify replacement of the A/C
compressor.
Figure 15: Severe contamination at the N280 valve filter screen.

•

If little or no corrosion or contamination is found perform Repair Procedure A: Replacing the N280 regulating
valve.

•

If corrosion and contamination is found, perform Repair Procedure B: A/C compressor replacement.

•

Document the all workshop findings of this procedure on the repair order.

Page 9 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Repair Procedure A: Replacing the N280 regulating valve
Note:
The refrigerant circuit must be flushed when the N280 valve is replaced.
Be sure to use the Robinair AC service station to record the oil extracted during evacuation to ensure the
correct amount of oil is added back to system after reassembly.
For this procedure always replace the receiver drier and expansion valve after flushing the refrigerant circuit.
The flushing procedure can be found in Elsa at: Heating , Ventilation & Air Conditioning»Refrigerant R134a
Servicing >>00 General Technical Data>> Refrigerant circuit removing contaminates>>Refrigerant Circuit,
Cleaning (Flushing) , with Refrigerant R134a . The procedure is also described in Technical Service Bulletin
2019947.
The correct adapters can be found in Elsa at: Ventilation & Air Conditioning»Refrigerant R 134a Servicing »00
General Technical Data» Refrigerant circuit removing contaminates»Refrigerant Circuit, Cleaning (Flushing) ,
with Refrigerant R134a »Adapter for Assembling Flushing Circuit.

1. Check the A/C compressor mount -C- and the
circlip groove for dirt, and if necessary, clean
them carefully and thoroughly with a clean, lintfree cloth (Figure 16).

Figure 16: Prepare mount for N280 installation.

I

Note:

Risk of damaging another N280 Valve or compressor may result due to dirt contamination or damage to the
sealing surfaces in the mount.
•

If necessary, carefully clean the A/C compressor mount -C- using only a clean , lint-free cloth. DO NOT use
compressed air.

•

Make sure while cleaning the mount -C- that no dirt gets into the area underneath the O-ring sealing surface F- or the existing channels and none of the mount sealing surfaces become damaged .

Page 10 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
1. Check the O-rings -F-, -G- ,-H- and -E- (if
applicable) of the A/C Compressor
Regulator Valve -N280- -B- for damage.

F G H

2. Coat the O-rings -F-, -G-, -H- and -E- (if
applicable) of the A/C Compressor
Regulator Valve -N280- -B- lightly with
refrigerant oil and check for proper seating
(Figure 17).

B

D

C

Figure 17. Check and prepare N280 o-rings

3. Insert the A/C Compressor Regulator Valve -N280- -B- until the stop in the A/C compressor mount -C-.
4. Re install circlip -A-.
5. Install the removed parts in the opposite order.
6. Evacuate and refill the refrigerant circuit.

Repair Procedure B: Air conditioning compressor replacement.
Note:
The refrigerant circuit must be flushed every time the air compressor is replaced.
The replacement A/C compressor comes with a full charge of oil for the entire refrigerant system.
Therefore the A/C circuit must be flushed of all original oil form the entire refrigerant circuit.

For this procedure always replace the receiver drier and expansion valve after flushing the refrigerant circuit.
The flushing procedure can be found in Elsa at: Heating , Ventilation & Air Conditioning»Refrigerant R134a
Servicing >>00 General Technical Data>> Refrigerant circuit removing contaminates»Refrigerant Circuit,
Cleaning (Flushing) , with Refrigerant R134a . The procedure is also described in Technical Service Bulletin
2019947.
The correct adapters can be found in Elsa at: Ventilation & Air Conditioning»Refrigerant R134a Servicing »00
General Technical Data» Refrigerant circuit removing contaminates»Refrigerant Circuit, Cleaning (Flushing) ,
with Refrigerant R134a »Adapter for Assembling Flushing Circuit.

Page 11 of 19
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
When installing a new compressor transfer the compressor
shipping caps to the original compressor as shown in Fig
18.

Figure 18

The replacement Sanden compressor will come with the
specified type of PAG oil G 052 154 A2 (Figure 19).