Ben's 4KQ questions

[FJ40Jim at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/30/01, quattro-request at audifans.com writes:
> 1) 4 spare instrument clusters, none with an odometer that actually works.
>  Does anyone have some pictures or description of which gear I need to put
>  the locktight on to fix one of these?
Ben,
I did this repair on my '85 4KSQ.  The hidden OXS light odometer inside the 
cluster had jammed up when it got close to 120K and was about to turn on the 
light.  The odometer had simply popped apart, since it couldn't move.  I 
removed & disposed of the OXS odometer and reassembled the real odometer and 
it has worked fine for a year or more now.  No need for loc-tite on my repair.
  
>  3) I charged the AC on the silver being driven to Florida, but the
>  compressor kicks on for about 5 seconds, then off again for about 1 min.  I
>  can hot wire the compressor to stay on contiuously, so am wondering what
>  potential culprits I may be able to fix to get the AC to cycle properly.  
When the compressor kicks on, the pressure on the inlet side drops.  When it 
gets too low, the low pressure safety switch cuts out the clutch.  You have 
either a low charge or a restriction in the freon system.
 
>  4) The AC problem seems to be compounded by hot air coming from the side
>  vents and defrost when car is warm.  I checked the heater valve control
>  works to close the valve.  Is this a shot heater control valve?  I'm
>  wondering if I should bypass the heater core altogether.
Yes, it is a bad heater valve.  I have temporarily gotten around this problem 
by swapping a 1/2" plumbing valve in place of the ineffective original valve. 
 It would help the anemic typ85 AC system to either bypass the heater core, 
or install an additional positive valve to completely shut off the heater.  A 
new VW valve has a little leakage into the heater core, I'm guessing to help 
work air bubbles out of the system.  I have a new valve, t-stat, fan switch 
and radiator now, just have to find the time to install.

Thanks,
Jim Chenoweth
Lancaster, Ohio, USA
Mailto: fj40jim at aol.com
Ph. 740.862.2604