AC Issue

[Captain Insano]

Just bought an S4 Avant. I seem to be having an AC problem now (my great luck).

I called the local Audi service shop and they said the recharge was going to run $175 for the freon and labor if that was all it needed. Does that sound about right? If the compressor needs oil they said it could be around $250 depending how much oil it needs. Do these prices sound about right?? Kinda sucks right off the bat I'm getting nailed with extra maintence fees.

[SoCalS4Avant]

What's the issue you're having Captain?

[S4J]

Without some details it's hard for us to help. Is it just not very cold, does it seem to cycle between A/C and Econ, can you hear the compressor kicking in? My system wasn't getting cold recently and kept cycling on and off...turned out to be the high pressure switch. Now it freezes me again.

High pressure Switch- PN: 8E0-959-126-B $68.98
Seal- PN: 7H0-820-896 $1.00
Labor- $195.70
Tax- $5.42

Total- $ 271.10
Covered under my extended warranty! (I paid an extra $200 dollars to pay my deductable down to $0...worth every penny). Plus my Service Advisor and tech are the heat!
Hope this helps...Steve

[Captain Insano]

That is somewhat helpful.

Sorry folks. I didn't give enough details. It runs and it sounds like the fans turn on when it's on. It just doesn't blow cold air. So I assume it needs recharged (freon), but am not quite sure. I haven't had time to try to troubleshoot because I was out of town yesterday (discovered right before we left town) and we just got back.

But by the breakdown provided above, I guess the $175 estimate doesn't sound so bad.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Yeah, if it's not blowing cold air - I'd say it may need a recharge...could be the compressor as well. Are you CPO?

[Captain Insano]

CPO?? Forgive my ignorance, what is that?

[SoCalS4Avant]

Certified Pre-Owned...I guess I should have asked if you were under any sort of warranty still.

[Captain Insano]

Oh sorry. Nope, no warranty unfortunately.

[S4J]

Sorry Capt...crazy not to have a warranty with these cars.
Audi=Another Unexpected Debt Incurred.

[RAudi Driver]

Well before you go and take it to a shop make sure that you know what the problem is so you don't get taken to the cleaners.

Start your car... then turn on the ventilation system (Econ Mode). You should have room temp air coming out of the vents. Now in a very quiet place, turn off the econ mode and listne to hear for the air compressor kicking in. You may also be able to tell by the rpm's taking a little dive or jump. If there is no discernible change in the engine idle, sound, or you don't hear a engaging click, then you could have a bad compressor. If you can hear the compressor kicking on and off, then you need freon and your leak fixed. You will have a leak as freon doesn't get used up like gasoline in a car.

[Captain Insano]

It's actually very strange.

Yesterday I took the car over to my friend's to show him my new purchase.... Well the AC worked right off the bat when I fired up the car!! Very strange indeed. My father indicated that some cars don't fire up the AC if it's cool outside. The other day when it wasn't working it was around 70 degrees F. When I started it yesterday and the AC worked it was 75 degrees F in the garage as it was a hotter day.

So what do you make of that? I'm getting ready to leave for work and I'm gonna see if it works again. I'll report back sometime later today. Thanks all for your help. I'm wondering if it has a faulty mechanism to engage the compressor or if the WOT disengagement is messed up (do these cars have that - my turbo Subarus all did, basically when AC is on it turns off AC comp automatically when you go WOT...).

So I'll report back later today with more info.

[streamline]

I have run into the same situation b4, A/C would work sometime and then not. It stopped acting up lately and i havent had a problem, but would be good to hear what resolves this.

[Captain Insano]

This all might actually be due to the fact I'm a complete newbie with Audi cars. I talked to the guy that sold it to me and described the situation. It worked twice since the other day when I thought it didn't work (first time I tried to use it).

He said he has never had a problem with it and it might be due to the fact it was on the economy mode. He said that in the economy mode it definitely runs "hotter" and I might have thought it was not working.

I've run it twice since the issue with no problem occurres so I'm just going to monitor it and see if it happens again. If it does I will get it fixed. If not I guess my luck ain't so bad after all. :)

[EYE4SPEED]

Look for a good indy shop and avoid the dealer for non-major items. Will save you some money, especially with the money pits we call Audi.

[SoCalS4Avant]

This all might actually be due to the fact I'm a complete newbie with Audi cars. I talked to the guy that sold it to me and described the situation. It worked twice since the other day when I thought it didn't work (first time I tried to use it).

He said he has never had a problem with it and it might be due to the fact it was on the economy mode. He said that in the economy mode it definitely runs "hotter" and I might have thought it was not working.

I've run it twice since the issue with no problem occurres so I'm just going to monitor it and see if it happens again. If it does I will get it fixed. If not I guess my luck ain't so bad after all. :)

Here's hoping it was just the fact that it was on economy...and not something worse. Keep us updated Captain.