Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

Golf/GTI

2015-2017

All

All

AU_FM000001

AU_HM009117

Golf
SportWagen

2015-2017

All

All

AU_FM500001

AU_HM506396

Condition
87 16 25 November 28, 2016 2038368 Supersedes Technical Bulletin V871607 dated June 29, 2016 to update
final production VIN.
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 Guided Fault Finding AC performance test must be completed before performing this procedure to
eliminate any other fault conditions. Submit through the GFF paperless for reimbursement. Refer to TB
2043704.

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).

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© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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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.
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Technical Bulletin

Figure 1 N280 Refrigerant Regulating Valve 5Q0260839A

Note:
This bulletin applies to vehicle built with Sanden 5Q0820803C, 5Q0820803E and 5Q0820803G 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.

Production Solution
Improved N280 valve for the Sanden A/C compressor CW34/16.

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
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.

Note:
The Guided Fault Finding AC performance test must be completed before performing this procedure to
eliminate any other fault conditions. Submit through the GFF paperless for reimbursment. Refer to TB
2043704.

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
Cases of low or no cooling performance:
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.

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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
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.

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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

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

Shut off the engine. Connect the
breakout harness VAS 5256 (Figure 8)
between the N280 valve and its
connector.

Figure 8. 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 9).

Figure 9. Select Measurements from operating mode menu”.

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

Figure 10. 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 11. Checking the N280 signal wave form.
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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
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.

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 12).

Figure 12. Circlip / N280 removal

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© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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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 13). 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 13. Corrosion in the N280 valve bore.

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

Figure 14: Severe contamination at the N280 valve filter screen.

Small random particles on the filter
screen does not constitute
“severe” contamination and does
not justify replacement of the A/C
compressor.

 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

1. Check the A/C compressor mount -Cand the circlip groove for dirt, and if
necessary, clean them carefully and
thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth
(Figure 15).

Figure 15: 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.

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- ,-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 16).

Figure 16. 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 A/C 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 for the 2015 Golf/GTI 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
MY2015 GTI/Golf, SportWagen production have
Sanden® compressors 5Q0820803C, 5Q0820803E
and 5Q0820803G.
The replacement compressor is Denso 5Q0820803F

Figure 14: Denso compressor 5Q0820803F

When installing a new compressor transfer the
compressor shipping caps to the original compressor
as shown in Fig 15.

Figure 15

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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.