Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans.
Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

Jetta

2011-2013

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

2012-2016

CBUA,CBTA,CDVB,
CKRA,CVCA

All

All

All

Passat

2015-2016

CPKA,CPRA

All

A3_EC115640

A3_GC999999

Golf/Jetta
SportWagen

2011-2014

CJAA,CBTA,CBUA

All

All

All

NB/NBC

2012-2014

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.

Page 1 of 20
© 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
Condition
87 16 16 August 29, 2016 2044165 Supersedes Technical Bulletin V871613 dated July 26, 2016 to update causal
part line in warranty table and model year applicability.
Air Conditioning Does Not Cool and or Compressor is Noisy
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

Page 2 of 20
© 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
Note:
This bulletin applies to vehicle built with Sanden 1K0820808 B>H and 5C0820803 B>G 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.

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.

Page 3 of 20
© 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
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.
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
DTC 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.

Page 4 of 20
© 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
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.

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

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.

Page 5 of 20
© 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

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

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

Figure 8. MY2016 AC compressor with clutch (Sanden)

Page 6 of 20
© 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
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.

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”.

Page 7 of 20
© 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
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 5VDiv.
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.

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

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.

Page 8 of 20
© 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. Remove circlip-A- carefully.
Note:
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

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.
Note:
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.

Page 9 of 20
© 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
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.
Note:
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.

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 R134a Servicing >>00
General Technical Data>> Refrigerant circuit removing contaminates>>Refrigerant Circuit, Cleaning (Flushing),
with Refrigerant R134a >>Adapter for Assembling Flushing Circuit.

Page 10 of 20
© 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 A/C compressor mount C- and the circlip groove for dirt, and if
necessary, clean them carefully and
thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth
(Figure 16).

Figure 16: Prepare mount for N280 installation.

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.

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

Figure 17. Check and prepare N280 o-rings
Page 11 of 20
© 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
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 12 of 20
© 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).
Note:
The compressor comes with a full charge of oil for the