Anyway to test that my A/C is just out of freon before I take it into the dealership?

[kev0]

I have CPO on my 2020 S3. The A/C hasn't worked since I picked it up in February but I didn't know until I tried using it recently. Is there a way to see that it's simply out of freon and not a critical component that has failed? I'm asking before I take it to the dealership because if it turns out that it is just out of coolant, I'm pretty sure Audi will charge me a diagnostic fee.

Followup question: If it does turn out that the freon is depleted, yall think Audi will waive the diagnostic fee if I opt to have them recharge my freon?

[949]

curious, does it matter if its out of freon to get it repaired?

for your second question. normally they would want to test it out before doing the work. it wouldn't make sense to charge for you something that isn't broken. I'm i right??

example;
lets go with your scenario. they believe you and your guess of why its not working. they charge you for the freon recharge before they work on it. they go to charge it. once they finish, the A/C still doesn't work. but did the job as you specified. to remind you, your guessing what the issue is and they act on that, which is the lack of freon. so would it be fair to you to still be charged for a service that didn't fix anything per your request?
the next step would be for you to guess what else could be wrong and fix that "repair guess".
hmmmmm. kinda interesting right?...

or you could just pay them to see whats wrong first.

[MikTip]

I have CPO on my 2020 S3. The A/C hasn't worked since I picked it up in February but I didn't know until I tried using it recently. Is there a way to see that it's simply out of freon and not a critical component that has failed? I'm asking before I take it to the dealership because if it turns out that it is just out of coolant, I'm pretty sure Audi will charge me a diagnostic fee.

Followup question: If it does turn out that the freon is depleted, yall think Audi will waive the diagnostic fee if I opt to have them recharge my freon?

OBD reader or ac gauges...



No one I have ever met can simply look at the ac system and magically tell its out of freon...

[freshjive]

How did you know the A/C didn't work from february when you picked up the vehicle but only found out now?

Unfortunately there is no easy way to check unless you have it hooked up to a scanner to get a reading of any codes stored or readings of the temperature sensors. Gauges will also help with the diagnostics. If they diagnose as the freon leaking from outside influence (rock hitting condenser) i would there there would still be a diagnostic fee - check to see what your CPO policy states and verify with the service department.
If it turns out a rock did hit your condenser there is nothing warranty will do for you and you're paying out of pocket.
If it turns out there is a leak on the seam on condenser that wasn't outside influence warranty will cover it.
If it turns out to be a bad pressure sensor on the condenser warranty will cover it.
If it's from a faulty compressor warranty will cover it.
Defective evaporator warranty will cover it.

[Jerryjohn]

So... What Happened?

[S3DAN]

Sorry for the late reply. Some shops advertise a/c checks (usually because they are expecting to overcharge you for a freon recharge). I have specifically seen mom and pops shops with fence advertising advertising freon checks. You can also rent the gauges from autozone if you know how to use them. Be cool with the person and they'll go with you to your car and basically tell you exactly how to do it if they're not allowed to touch it because of insurance/liability.

You could also just buy the recharge kit for 20 bucks that has a pressure gauge and go through the motions of filling it and if it needs to be charged you do it yourself and if not now you know for $20. Chances are you have a leak if its a 2020 model year though and most likely covered under your cpo