2002 Golf TDI Auto - Air conditioning stopped cooling.. an hour later - engine temp..

[investmart]

Hi All,
My cooling air conditioning stopped working today while I was driving. well it was on, just was not providing nice cool enough air. I continued driving and about an hour later my engine temperature went up and the red temperature warning light turned on! I immediately stopped the car. (I checked and I have enough liquid in the coolant). Then after 30 minutes I turned on the engine while air conditioning was OFF. engine temperature is normal. so apparently everything works fine as long as air conditioning is NOT on. obviously I am not going to turn the air conditioning on until I see a mechanic. There are a lot of experts here and I just wanted to ask what you believe is most likely the cause?
THANKS.
ps. also, I checked engine oil and i have enough oil

 

[dieseldorf]

Are the cooling fans functional?

 

[investmart]

good point! I don't know, is there an easy way to check that? Thank you.
Also, would fans not working properly explain temperature of engine going up? why ONLY when air conditioning is on?

 

[investmart]

Hi Dieseldorf, quick update my problem was fixed today by replacing a FAULTY TEMPERATURE SENSOR. Can you believe that's all it was!

Regards,
Neil

 

[dieseldorf]

Neil, good to hear. A/C problems fall in one of two repair categories:

• $50
• $1500

 

[investmart]

wow. scary. I did pay for diagnosis though and work. total of around $200. I know I'm paying A LOT for service (a VW dealer in Canada)
but.. at least you know they are reliable/professional.