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A3 AC compressor
My A3 with 32,000 miles was diagnosed today with a bad compressor. Much too early for this type problem. I've learned this is a recurring problem with A3s. Any one else on this board had similar problems?
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It never performed very well, but it lasted me 53,000 miles which in some ways was a bad thing it lasted that long. Just long enough to eclipse the warranty period. But after going through a bit of red tape, Audi has agreed after 4 days of review to step up to the plate, stand behind their product, and cover it anyway, despite my warranty being expired for about 3,000 miles.
Of course, the timing of my A/C going out was impeccably bad, as it happened in the month of June just when it's getting really hot in California. They said my compressor basically fell apart, and that it would of been about $2,500 had Audi not agreed to offer some goodwill.
I should be getting my car back finally today.... took awhile as they didn't order all the parts until after Audi agreed to cover the repairs.
Can you please give some ideas of what you did in order to get Audi to step up on this issue (that occured just outside of Warranty)?
I have an '07 A3 with 43K mi (below the 50K mark), but it developed this air conditioning problem 1-2 months AFTER the 4 yr period of warranty expiration! Now I'm faced with a $1,000 to $2,500 bill to fix this problem. It sounds like it should e covered as a service bulletin or recall. Please let us know some tips of how you convinced Audi Warranty folks to do the right thing...thanks!
Can you please give some ideas of what you did in order to get Audi to step up on this issue (that occured just outside of Warranty)?
I have an '07 A3 with 43K mi (below the 50K mark), but it developed this air conditioning problem 1-2 months AFTER the 4 yr period of warranty expiration! Now I'm faced with a $1,000 to $2,500 bill to fix this problem. It sounds like it should e covered as a service bulletin or recall. Please let us know some tips of how you convinced Audi Warranty folks to do the right thing...thanks!
Second, I'd point out how your a good Audi customer anyway you can. Loyalty, previous customer, long time customer, other family members, ect. (I pointed out it was MY FIRST Audi, but that the A3 was designed to bring in new people to the Audi Family to potentially be lifelong customers that upgrade, and made clear this hiccup with the A/C would only serve to make it my LAST Audi if they didn't do something.)
Third, I had a great relationship with a good service customer rep at my local dealer (Mirimar Audi - George).
Fourth, I got all my service and maintenance done at the dealership (in 2006 they still had free 50,000 mile maintenance with the vehicle from Audi). However, I also used Miramar Audi for other maintenance items I didn't have to, such as a new battery and such. So I was loyally using their service department for my car's maintenance (albeit mainly due to Audi maintenance plan). This part helped the most. If you got your 35K or 40K mile service recently done at the dealer, it gives you more chips to deal with, and more leverage to grow your case. If you haven't been maintaining your car religiously, your case is going to be very weak. If you haven't been using the dealer for maintenance, your case is not going to be bulletproof, but could still be strong with good maintenance records.
Fifth, AFTER they agreed to help me out and pay for the new AC install with Audi of America's help, I returned the favor and authorized a $900 brake job (new rotors and pads), being as I'd have their free loaner for 2 weeks anyway (the parts had to come in from Germany, and it's quite a bit of labor).
1) At about 65k had to replace the Recirculation valve for the turbo due to probably some boost leak (caused CEL indicator to light up). Cheap $100 part but 3.5 hours labor!!!! I wish I hadn't done that at Miramar Audi cause their labor rates are astronomical.
2) Diverter valve, mine never failed, but luckily, this is also a $100 part and only 1/2 hour labor. When they replaced the Recirc, they told me they were suprised it wasn't the known diverter valve weakspot. Luckily the one they use to replace it has been revised, reengineered to be heftier, beefier, and more durable. I replaced mine as "preventative maintenance" at around 70K miles with an AWE diverter valve upgrade.
3) The window regulators tend to last exactly 5 years (at least 1 of the 4 have been replaced so far, crossing my fingers on the rest).
Other then that listed above and the AC, the car has been flawless, and there are no rattles, very tight, runs like new, ultra high quality car with excellent fit and finish. I give the car a B+ for reliability and dependability.
I believe this is more than a costly annoyance. This kind of failure could be very dangerous at high speed. For me it happened pulling away from a light so thankfully I was barely moving. I think this belt drives the power steering as well as the AC and Generator.
I recommend everyone to report vehicle defects at the NHTSA web-site https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
I think this may be the only way to shame car manufacturers into doing the right thing with some government clout. It's actually surprising how few complaints are lodged there. It's at least a last resort threat.
For those who had weak A/C, and then either had a compressor fail or replaced the compressor to avoid that fail, was the A/C noticeably STRONGER (i.e. colder) after the new compressor?
background on my situation: 2006 A3 with 73k and weak A/C (barely keeps interior @ 75 if outside it's 90 and sunny). Also, sometimes the A/C does not turn on (blows hot air) and i have to cycle the system on and off, and/or mess with the 'zone' buttons (the ones that concentrate air to different vents), and then it springs into action, albeit still not very cold. i checked my compressor against a picture of what the supposedly 'bad' compressors are supposed to look like, and it does not look like the 'bad' kind to me, but who knows.
so, that's why i am asking. since my system does work, and it doesn't appear that i have the unit type prone to failure, it's not worth it to me to invest in fixing the problem of it being weak, if those who have replaced their compressors have not seen a sizable improvement in the cooling ability of their system after doing so themselves. thanks!
It works fine until 90 hits, and then tapers off..... it's undersized and doesn't have the capacity to cool the A3. It might work in a Smart 4 two, but the A3 is spacious inside
I was even on file with Audi of America at one point and couldn't get anywhere. Try calling Audi of america. I had one of the pistons in my engine go right after the warranty and they covered some of the costs and called it a "good will repair" ask about that. I have had the coils go, wipers in a major snow storm go because of fuses burning out, you name it. Good Luck.
I had a 2001 VW Golf. My AC was bad. I changed the compressor and it was blowing basically the same after a back woods job and a refurbished part. I thought this couldn't be right... the part was guaranteed. We fiddled with it for a bit... it turned out we would get it going by reading the manual and changing the fuse that controlled the blower. This activated the Compressor and Presto! The AC was blowing consistently for years after... Granted it was still [non-permissible content removed]... But it was blowing to it's capability.
Fast Forward to Today. I bring my 2006 Audi A3 to a service station because it was getting pretty weak. I thought I would need a refresh on freon. The Service Advisor had told me it would be 600.00 for part and 600.00 for installation. I did not have the money for this. I said No.
Remembering the Golf, and that they are similar manufactured parts... I needed to check the fuse again. I looked at the owners manual and examined each of the fuses that relates to the cooling system. I found one with a little blackness on the edges, and replaced it. I don't know if this was the one, or if it was just a matter of receding all of them... But noticeable improvement today. Granted it's still [non-permissible content removed], but it's playing up to it's capability now!
Good Luck!