2002 New VW Beetle is only blowing hot air out of vents even when set on cool. I was driving and I made a turn at an intersection and all of a sudden the cool vent air turned to hot air like I had the heat on. I tried to turn on the AC and even the AC blows nothing but hot air. Even while the vent is off the hot air still blows through. I took to a mechanic to because I thought my AC went out or something but he said the AC motor on the engine side is blowing cold air and is working perfect. The car isn't overheating either.

Ok, here is the scoop on this. if you sit in the passenger seat and reach under the dash in the center of the vehicle. So your laying in the passenger side of the vehicle and placing your right hand on the floor board were passengers feet would go, slightly to the left of there is where the carpet raises up to the center hump behind the button for emergency flashers. Ok there you will see or feel a plastic small arm attached to a wire rod. this plastic arm is most likely broke or like mine the its worn, so push it back inside the small hole, while turning the heat switch from cold to hot. All this little arm does is open and close the heat vent, but also allows the air conditioner to fully turn on. As you turn the heat switch you will see, or notice it catches the mechanism and the heat will switch on or the air will come on as you turn the switch. I had only a few minutes left to short fix this so I opted to glue the darn thing in place, yes a quick fix but its working and after only looking and poking around I now know what this is so when I have time i can fix it. My own mechanic whom I trusted for years said look its the heater box major repair. I know he doesn't care to work on Vw's its all good but it cost almost nothing to repair this badly designed item. I was ready to sell as is and take the hit but waited one more day when I could find my good flashlight and just refused to believe I had to take off the dash. So dont go to dealer unless you have the time and you point out whats wrong, they also said it was both the air compressor and a cracked heat box? find and locate it yourself I don't have a warranty on this 2002 1602,000 mile car, but I keep it running with good maintenance and all you who are kind enough to keep us all updated on your finds.

My 03 conv. beetle did the same thing .My cousins 02 coupe also . He told me it was a lever on the bottom of the heater unit that switches between hot and cold. The problem is the lever falls down out of the unit .More cheesy ''engineering''. I fixed mine by cutting a short piece of copper pipe centered over the screw to prop up the lever in postion .That was about a year ago. Been working great ever since . The best i remember i took the glove box and the cover at the very front of the console out .You should be able to see it then.