Fault Code B10A915: Activation A/C compressor, Open circuit/short circuit to B

[jack in oz]

Hi All,
I replaced the battery in my 2013 Passat 130TDI two days ago. Today we have warm weather and I used the cooling for the first time since the battery swap. I was only getting warm air. My OBD2 scanner is giving me the following fault code:

9480469
B10A915: Activation A/C compressor, Open circuit/short circuit to B

Could this be related to the battery replacement? I.e. is it possible a reset of some sort might fix the issue?

[MIG]

Check out B10A9 - Ross-Tech Wiki (http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/B10A9)
and Tis’ the HVAC Season | Ross-Tech Forums (https://forums.ross-tech.com/index.php?threads/633/)

The connector on the compressor is pretty easy to get to; if you take off the skid plate, you should be able to see it without jacking up the car.

[jack in oz]

Thanks MIG. I will have a look at your links.

I forgot to mention that the car had been sitting in the carport for 5 weeks while we were on holiday (hence the dead battery), which potentially brings a refrigerant leak into the picture.

[MIG]

Check cabling: I have heard many stories of rodents getting to cables when cars are parked for a while.

Fuses would also be a good start. Did you jump-start the car at all?

Using a test lamp at the compressor valve, if you have one, would be a quick test.

Possible Causes
Fuse(s) faulty
Wiring and/or Connector(s) from/to Compressor Regulating Valve (N280) faulty
The wrong 2-wire electrical connector is plugged into the Regulating Valve (N280)
Compressor Regulating Valve (N280) faulty
Heating/Climate Control Module (J301) faulty

[jack in oz]

Thanks again MIG. All fuses seem to be good.

I ran the car in the driveway this morning and the AC worked OK. I got cold air when I selected MAX AC. And the aluminium pipe that comes from the compressor was cold. I stopped the engine and tried the AC again. This time it was blowing ambient air and the aluminium pipe was warm. The same error code was present.

So it seems my problem is intermittent. I thinks it's a job for the experts.

[Old Navman]

Thanks again MIG. All fuses seem to be good.

I ran the car in the driveway this morning and the AC worked OK. I got cold air when I selected MAX AC. And the aluminium pipe that comes from the compressor was cold. I stopped the engine and tried the AC again. This time it was blowing ambient air and the aluminium pipe was warm. The same error code was present.

So it seems my problem is intermittent. I thinks it's a job for the experts.

Perhaps it's the compressor control valve? You can read up on this in this post here:

Secret air conditioning sequence? R36 2008 (vwwatercooled.com.au) (https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f234/secret-air-conditioning-sequence-r36-2008-a-121077.html?highlight=a%2Fc+compressor)

[jack in oz]

Perhaps it's the compressor control valve? You can read up on this in this post here:

Secret air conditioning sequence? R36 2008 (vwwatercooled.com.au) (https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f234/secret-air-conditioning-sequence-r36-2008-a-121077.html?highlight=a%2Fc+compressor)

Thanks. Hopefully it is the RCV and not the compressor. When my new car arrives in a couple of months I'll be selling this car. I'll be very cranky if I have to spend $1500 on a new compressor when I'm about to sell it. Especially after I just spent $565 on a thermostat and $350 on a battery.

[Old Navman]

Thanks. Hopefully it is the RCV and not the compressor. When my new car arrives in a couple of months I'll be selling this car. I'll be very cranky if I have to spend $1500 on a new compressor when I'm about to sell it. Especially after I just spent $565 on a thermostat and $350 on a battery.

Yeah, it sucks. If the temperature oscillates between warm and cold it could just be the valve. In any case, changing the compressor control valve would be the cheapest option because it would involve a relatively small outlay in comparison to the other choices.

[jack in oz]

In any case, changing the compressor control valve would be the cheapest option because it would involve a relatively small outlay in comparison to the other choices.

Thanks, will get that done.

[jack in oz]

I rang two places. Both advised me to replace the compressor and quoted just under $1000. I said I just wanted the valve replaced. One of them agreed to do that for $450. Job done. Now my AC is working again. Thanks to Old Navman for pointing me in the right direction.