Air con stopped working

[crf150]

Hi everyone,

First time posting as an A4 owner ! Previously an A3 owner, I've owned my A4 avant for around a week and have had issues with the rear doors not unlocking from the outside (solenoid issues I think) but don't need that to be done yet.

Anyway, when I bought the car the aircon was working perfectly, really cold, I have been using it in the week on the way back from work because it has been quite hot, and around 2 days ago it took a little bit longer to get cold, and now it doesn't work stall and it is like a mouldy smell. Is this because the aircon has ran out of gas and needs to be regassed ?

Don't want to book a regass if it's something else

Thanks in advance !

 

[Chris Nelson]

thats all it sounds like to me bro. youre guna have to re gas anyway if it is a motor issue. maybe have someone click it on while youre undr the bonnet and listen for a drive either spin up or do **** all. may even get electrical burning smell if its gone. hope its just gas though G

sent from my portable telephone box

 

[crf150]

Cheers buddy, will get it booked in for tomorrow and hopefully it's just a regas !

 

[Zafi]

Possibly the seller had it re-gassed and it only lasted a week before it leaked away again?

 

[rum4mo]

Yes, like no one would play that old trick.

Edit:- tip proper Auto Air Con places are usually better at fixing the fridge section of these systems, and cheaper! (KwikFit is not one of these proper places)

 

[crf150]

I've got it booked in for a regass tomorrow, I don't think the seller had it regassed, it was my dad's mates garage, I will get it done tomorrow and hopefully that is all it needs, if it dies off after a couple of weeks then have to take it to a garage to get it sorted

 

[crf150]

Well it was bad news ! Had it regenerated, but it didn't make any difference so I must have a leak, could anyone suggest anywhere to take it to get it looked at/fixed ?

 

[Zafi]

Take it to an aircon specialist, but be prepared for a long waiting list at this time of year.

 

[Ruhel]

Well it was bad news ! Had it regenerated, but it didn't make any difference so I must have a leak, could anyone suggest anywhere to take it to get it looked at/fixed ?

You may need to have a leak test done. They will regas with a UV dye additive and check to see where the leak is coming from.
There is a DIY guide (USA) but the cost can start racking up quickly.

 

[crf150]

Kwikfit said that they will find the leak and 'diagnose' the fault for £35, I will look up somewhere that specialises in aircon but don't think there is any in my area.

Wouldn't like to do a DIY as that is a bit out of my depth

 

[Ruhel]

That's not a bad price, but yeah go for an aircon place if possible.

 

[Zafi]

Don't mess about with Kwik-Fit, they are well known for being low skilled rip off merchants.

 

[CHEZ]

Just out of curiosity did you get a scan done?
Mine was working fine until I had my engine replaced (long story), scanned it, came up with 3 error codes relating to low pressure, faulty control modules etc, I thought they never regassed the system but turned out to be a faulty sensor.
Dealer replaced the sensor and all is well.
Get it scanned first.

 

[crf150]

Thanks chez, I'll scan it when I'm back home later and let you know, when they regassed it he said it went ice cold and then gradually started to get warmer, so points towards a leak but I'll scan it later and see what comes back

 

[crf150]

Just out of curiosity did you get a scan done?
Mine was working fine until I had my engine replaced (long story), scanned it, came up with 3 error codes relating to low pressure, faulty control modules etc, I thought they never regassed the system but turned out to be a faulty sensor.
Dealer replaced the sensor and all is well.
Get it scanned first.

Right I done a scan and this is what came up, can you remeber what sensors went on yours ? or what you replaced ? Would the faults on mine be what is casuing the aircon not to work ?

Any advice would be great !
Address 08: Auto HVAC (J255) Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 8T2 820 043 AG HW: 8T2 820 043 AG
Component: KLIMA 3 ZONEN H08 0171
Revision: D1000000 Serial number: 01301020091267
Coding: 34040000
Shop #: WSC 00137 210 91044
VCID: 77F7F505C6D6651
3 Faults Found:
00457 - Control Module for Network (J519)
013 - Check DTC Memory
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101101
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 115
Reset counter: 9
Mileage: 191809 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.05.05
Time: 17:07:21
00256 - A/C Pressure/Temperature Sensor (G395)
008 - Implausible Signal
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 115
Reset counter: 9
Mileage: 191809 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.05.05
Time: 17:07:21
Freeze Frame:
Temperature: 23.0°C
01187 - Rear Temperature Flap Positioning Motor (V137)
002 - Lower Limit Exceeded
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100010
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 5
Mileage: 192482 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.06.03
Time: 12:42:51
Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 12.50 V
Temperature: 28.0°C
Temperature: 28.0°C
Count: 10000
Count: 9676
Bin. Bits: 01000000
Bin. Bits: 00000101
Time: 5.00 s

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect. (J519) Labels: 8K0-907-063.clb
Part No SW: 8K0 907 063 D HW: 8K0 907 063 D
Component: BCM1 1.0 H22 0253
Revision: 05022001 Serial number: 00000000295612
Coding: 260050914034AF010001000300001D0D001D270800010141000000
Shop #: WSC 06335 000 00000
VCID: 30650E196338729
Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 8K2 955 119 A HW: 8T2 955 119 Labels: 1KX-955-119.CLB
Component: WWS 150109 H05 0070
Coding: 00FD11
Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: 8K0 955 559 HW: 8K0 955 559 Labels: 8K0-955-559.CLB
Component: RLS H04 0003
Coding: 025028
Subsystem 3 - Part No SW: 8K0 941 531 AA HW: 8K0 941 531 AA
Component: E1 - LDS H07 0080
2 Faults Found:
01854 - Heated Seat; Right Front (Z46)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 244
Mileage: 192702 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.07.07
Time: 16:37:00
00256 - A/C Pressure/Temperature Sensor (G395)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 249
Reset counter: 9
Mileage: 191808 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.05.05
Time: 17:00:00
I don't know if this is related to it as well

Address 17: Instruments (J285) Labels: 8T0-920-xxx-17.clb
Part No SW: 8K0 920 980 B HW: 8K0 920 980 B
Component: KOMBIINSTR. H18 0224
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 9E3735JD8
Coding: 2F04100003002600010000
Shop #: WSC 06335 000 00000
VCID: 31630B1D68327B1
1 Fault Found:
00003 - Control Module
005 - No or Incorrect Basic Setting / Adaptation
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100101
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 163
Mileage: 190903 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.04.11
Time: 13:07:52

Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels: 8T0-907-468.clb
Part No SW: 8T0 907 468 P HW: 8T0 907 468 K
Component: GW-BEM 4CAN-M H09 0095
Revision: EB500046 Serial number: 4600E0910783BA
Coding: 000303
Shop #: WSC 06335 000 00000
VCID: 4E9970E119CC049
Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 8K0 915 181 B HW: 8K0 915 181 B
Component: J367-BDM H04 0150
1 Fault Found:
03041 - Energy Management Active
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 44
Reset counter: 32
Mileage: 192692 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.06.29
Time: 15:46:00

 

[CHEZ]

OK, yes a few there are present that mine were showing mine were 00457, control modules for network,, 01592 air quality sensor, 00256 givers for refrigerant pressure /temp.
These were using the carrista app, I screen shot the errors before going to audi and never reset them.
They used vagcom to diagnose the fault while I left the car with them as they messed up lol so didn't tell them I knew.
Anywho back on track, it may be wise getting audi to diagnose this as it maybe easier than an air con place pulling pipes left right and centre when all that it maybe is a simple sensor fault.
I was convinced mine needed gassing so I was wrong.
The power management error code, is nothing to worry about, this means you haven't used your car for a while, and it is starting to go into sleep mode, or you have recently left it for a long period, unless of course you have used your car regularly then electric gremlins are present.
I would go to audi personally imo

 

[crf150]

I cleared all of the codes just in case the energy management one as well as some others may have been old codes that are no longer active, I bought the car last Saturday and use it everyday so I'm not sure what you class as snot using my car ? What do you mean by gremlins, I hope it's nothing serious ! Lol. What does energy management do ?

How much did you have to pay when you had yours done as I think Audi charge £80 just to diagnose the fault, which seems very expensive !

 

[CHEZ]

Yeah I think audi charge £80 for diagnosis per hour, however there might be somebody that has vagcom and superior knowledge of circuits and errors that can do this cheaper.
Obviously you want this fixing quick as to enjoy your new purchase audi would be my first choice.
Regarding the power management, if the car has been left for a long period of time for over a week for example, certain parts of the electronics start to go into standby mode to save the battery, this shows in the history, so as you have recently bought the car, it may have been parked up for a few weeks, so no real issue, just reset the fault and take it from there , it's merely just a log that the car has gone to sleep previously so to speak.
Back on subject of the air con, try clearing the codes and take for a long drive, see if it just needed a good drive!

 

[crf150]

I could go to a vw Audi specialist, to see if they would have an idea, will give them a call tomorrow before I take it in to see if they have knowledge with aircon. I will leave the energy management then, as that might have been it. Have issues with the rear drivers door actuator not unlocking but that is another issue

One of the reasons for buying a new car was to have aircon! I will do a bit of research to see if I can find the issue

 

[vag-tech]

As mentioned, this needs someone competent to take over. You'll be throwing money away at KF - they tend to stick their machine on it, ignore the gauges and regas everything that comes in the door. The customer gets the car back and it's all good for a short period of time. Our phone then rings and the explanation starts "Had my car at <insert well-known incompetent garage here> and it was okay for <insert short period here> and now it's not working again.
9/10 times the system will be leaking and will require a part (be it pipe/condenser/etc). This can usually be diagnosed efficiently by charging the system with oxygen free nitrogen and using leak-detection spray.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[rum4mo]

Again, "as above", just a pity your dad's mate's garage did not try to understand what the pressure gauges were telling them as they could have there and then gone with "leaks" or "something else"! OFN with the traces of R134A remaining in the system is the way forward, no proper Air Con place tries charging a system that seems to be leaking, in bigger systems it is very much against the law, but small mobile systems seem to have as yet escaped the law wrt F GAS.

 

[Adam Russell]

Just out of curiosity did you get a scan done?
Mine was working fine until I had my engine replaced (long story), scanned it, came up with 3 error codes relating to low pressure, faulty control modules etc, I thought they never regassed the system but turned out to be a faulty sensor.
Dealer replaced the sensor and all is well.
Get it scanned first.

I'm fairly sure i have the same faults as you know what the sensor part number was ? and how much it was

 

[CHEZ]

I'm fairly sure i have the same faults as you know what the sensor part number was ? and how much it was

I am sorry mate I don't, I returned the car to audi to fix it after they had worked on it, because it was working before and left it with them while I went away.
On return I just got told, it was a corroded sensor or sensor plug.

 

[crf150]

I'm fairly sure i have the same faults as you know what the sensor part number was ? and how much it was

You looking to get yours done soon ? If you are let me know what fixed yours, I do want to get mine done but haven't got time at the not have weekends spare so not a lot of time to get it sorted

 

[EXSpartan36]

If you are losing gas a quick check is to have a look at the condenser which sits Between the intercooler and the radiator 9 times out of 10 with leaks its down to stones hitting the condenser and causing small pin holes. Just shine a light over it and see if there is any visible damage.

 

[crf150]

Will have a look tomorrow to see

 

[crf150]

Problem solved ! Booked a slot in with a mobile A/C specialist, he drained the old gas, regassed as I said I previously went to kwikfit, plugged in and it came up with the same fault I had when I scanned it (temp/pressure sensor) replaced the sensor, cleared the codes. All working fine now, probably could have done it myself for cheaper but he had the sensor on him so all in all it was £145 which isn't too bad

 

[rum4mo]

Excellent news, I think that lots of folk find that using a mobile A/C specialist is the quick, easy and normally cheapest way to do things, especially if you don't know where your local workshop based A/C specialist is.

 

[CHEZ]

Result mate.
Like many mechanical issues, it is always something simple, it is just pin pointing the issue where knowledge and experience by people who know what there doing really pays off.
Enjoy the car

 

[Sean mooney]

I have a similar problem.. Might look for a sensor and change myself and www does it work.. Re-gas might not be a bad idea aswell.

 

[crf150]

The sensors are cheap on eBay, get it scanned and see what codes you get

 

[Sean mooney]

The car is in getting service at the min and the fella has the computer so I'll get him to do it before I collect it

 

[rum4mo]

The sensors are cheap on eBay, get it scanned and see what codes you get

Only problem I have with that is, if these pressure sensors have been causing a lot of people trouble by failing early, then maybe VAG has updated that sensor to remove these issues - and that might explain why they and other parts get disposed of by auction by VAG and end up on ebay. Now if you are only keeping that car for a couple of years then why worry, but if planning on keeping it longer, then maybe cheaper to buy the latest version from VAG dealer.

 

[Adam Russell]

anyone know the part number for this sensor ?

 

[crf150]

Type it in on eBay and it will come up, I didn't get the part number