What are the reasons for the Volkswagen Lavida's air conditioning not cooling well in recirculation mode?
3 Answers
The reasons why the Volkswagen Lavida's air conditioning does not cool well in recirculation mode: 1. Lack of refrigerant in the air conditioning system; 2. Check the air conditioning filter. If the air conditioning starts normally but fails to emit cold air, the filter may be too dirty with dust. Use a specialized filter cleaning spray to clean it; 3. The compressor drive belt is too loose; 4. Excessive impurities in the air conditioning refrigerant and frozen oil can also clog the filter screen, leading to reduced cooling efficiency. In terms of appearance, the front face design of the Volkswagen Lavida differs significantly from previous A-segment models of Volkswagen, especially with its unique teardrop-shaped headlights. The traditional Volkswagen family grille and U-shaped front face design are also carried forward and inherited in the Lavida. For the interior, the Lavida's dashboard features a large screen supporting in-car navigation, CarPlay, and CarLife functions. The interior craftsmanship and materials are of good quality, with large areas of piano black lacquer decorative panels that look very attractive. It also includes keyless start, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera among its configurations.
My Lavida also had poor cooling performance in recirculation mode before. At first, I thought the AC was broken, but later found the cabin air filter was completely clogged with willow catkins. When the mechanic inspected with an endoscope, they even discovered a layer of white frost on the evaporator surface, preventing cold air from coming out. Another time, the recirculation mode actuator motor failed, leaving the damper unable to close properly, allowing hot outside air to constantly seep in. If you notice reduced airflow with a musty smell from the vents, it's likely a filter issue - you can replace it yourself by removing the glove box for just tens of RMB. Refrigerant leaks can also worsen recirculation cooling, especially common in older vehicles.
I've encountered the weak air circulation issue in the Lavida's AC system three times. The most common cause is a dirty cabin air filter. Once when I opened it up, the filter was clogged with dead leaves and insects, completely blocking airflow. Another thing to watch is refrigerant pressure - last year my car had insufficient pressure, causing the compressor to cycle on/off repeatedly during recirculation mode, resulting in inconsistent cooling. A fellow car owner had it worse when they found ice forming on the AC low-pressure line; the mechanic diagnosed it as an expansion valve failure disrupting refrigerant flow. For DIY checks, first compare airflow between fresh air and recirculation modes. If airflow is similar but cooling performance drops significantly, it's likely a refrigerant system issue.
