Climatronic Climate Control System

Having just clocked up 15k and due for it's first service, I thought I should ask about the climate control. It seems that the sensor is located centrally in the dash, that is prone to temperature fluctuations when sun hits it. I normally set the unit to manual, no ac, with a low fan speed of 20/21 degrees. When driving with sun hitting the dash I notice that sporadically the fan kicks into high, thinking that the cabin temperature has all of sudden risen. Once you change direction and the sun is no longer on the dash, it shortly returns to normal. This appears to be a design flaw & I thought I had read somewhere that the sensor can be removed and the top part covered to stop direct sun impacting it's performance. It's booked for a service next week, so I'll see if there is any resolution.


In the meantime I found this handy information on the climatronic system.


Ask a Salesguy explaining the correct operation link


VW Climatronic Readouts (courtesy of VWWatercooled)


1. Hold down "ECON", and press the "up-vent" button (next to recirculation). Both temperature displays will read 00 or 00'0, and you can release the buttons once they do.
2. Twist the LEFT temperature knob until the display above reads 19’0.
3. Twist the FAN knob until the left temperature display reads 19’1 (like 19.1).
4. The right temperature display is now a digital speedometer! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!


--- For tach (in x100), twist the FAN knob until the left temperature display reads 19’3 (like 19.3)


--- To reset and go back to normal operation, hit the ECON button once.


These are the different settings the Climatronic can display. The numbers on the left indicate the “CHANNEL” it MUST be SET to:


• 1.0: Temp as read by sensor in middle fan speed knob.
• 1.4: Light intensity falling on same sensor.
• 4.0: Outside Temp – front bumper
• 4.1: Outside Temp – roof.
• 4.2: Outside Temp – rear bumper (inside temp?)
• 15.0: Oil Temp
• 19.0: Uncorrected Speed (Km/h)
• 19.1: Uncorrected Speed (Mp/h)
• 19.2: Coolant Temp
• 19.3: Tachometer (x100rpm)
• 19.4: Oil Pressure
• 25.0: Voltage