Those who have/had AC Compressor failure- Info Request

[littlewhite]

worth a shot when i tried it. They knew it fails alot and at a high rate but since there isnt a recall so they cant replace it unit the unit fails.

[m5roller]

I'm on my fourth compressor. The orig went out at 59k, 2&3 never cooled properly, the fourth works fine. The dealer said they've had lots of problems w/ A3 compressors, including the current batch of replacements.

[jmorales]

Does this compressor failure have any other indicators besides the air being weak/not cold?

im asking because after taking my car in for other unrelated work my entire heating/ac unit in the car is dead. no lights or anything and the fan on the car is loud and on 100% of the time while im driving like it never was before. incredibly noisy and noticeable now. especially on shut down, it winds down after turning car off. very odd. didnt know if this could be related as someone mentioned it in my own thread about my issues. Thanks

[Uber-A3]

Just got my car back from dealer after 3 days. The compressor failed and scattered pieces throughout the system. The finally flushed it out and replaced the dryer and swapped compressors. Seems fine now.

[tiptronic]

Uber-A3

How many miles on your car? I have same year as yours- at 47k, im beginning to get some concerns that all this horror stories i've read will manifest itself onto my car. AC failure, DSG issues, etc.

i love this car, but did Audi forget about the term reliability in their slogan "progress" and "form follows function" ?

e

[iGen3]

failed at 105,000 miles on my early (10 '05) 2006 GLI. But nice in that it didn't take the belt with it---the shear plate breaks and the pulley idles. Not bad for a fatally flawed design. can you say "out of warranty?"

I drive with climatronic both sides at about 68. worked great till it seized.

they are quoting me [correction, 8 hours] hrs @ $95(customer pays) , and parts more in line with 1stvwparts online prices than idiot street retail. parts are still gonna be over $ 800.

EKTA/ELSA is all confused re: which compressor supercedes what, I chose the "F" Sanden. S (Denso) supercedes (M) Zexel, but S seems indicated for 09 tiguans, while F is for BPY Jetta

[iGen3]

bump to track

[jgonzo432]

^ thanks for bumping.

2006 A3
80,000 miles
2.0T
I would hear a loud whirring noise while in first gear and pulling away from a stop.

[Uber-A3]

Quote, originally posted by tiptronic »

Uber-A3 How many miles on your car? I have same year as yours- at 47k, im beginning to get some concerns that all this horror stories i've read will manifest itself onto my car. AC failure, DSG issues, etc. i love this car, but did Audi forget about the term reliability in their slogan "progress" and "form follows function" ? e

Just a few miles shy of 30k

[iGen3]

Update, VOA CustomerCARE told me I'm screwed. (actually, I said I'm screwed, and they said "That's probably true" ) That is their final answer. Oh, and Barbara on the line didn't believe my diagnosis by observation above. She must have mentioned 5 times that TSBs are not recalls. even EKTA has a big warning when you look up the zexel compressor, "no installs of this part are allowed"

At least the Dealer believes my diagnosis/photo...so tomorrow it goes under the knife. oh, and the 8 hours of labor? that gets billed by the book, not by actual time to do the job, you know, just in case I get the slow tech....so they don't overcharge me...

sick sick sick SICK SICK SICK!!!

My family has had over 20 VWs from my father's '58 beetle. This is my 7th....NONE of them have had issues like this one.

[LWNY]

So why go back VW dealer for the repair if they charge you on the worst case scenario (labor based on the slowest guy who graduated their training school). You can go to VW specialist who could do this basic parts swapout for much less.

[Uber-A3]

Take it to an independent shop not he dealer.

[johnnyrussoa3]

My compressor just seized at about 58,000 miles. Audi dealer wants $1,700 to fix. Is there anything I can
do since this is a known problem?

[dragonsback]

$800 fix/replacement and flush/recharge at my Indi

76k miles and it crapped out on my '06 2.0T
Zexel was stock, siezed bolt...TSB

Did not even bother with Audi...was hearing it was going to be at least $1300 to fix there

[Travis Grundke]

Does anyone have any knowledge of any lawsuits against Audi of America for both the AC compressor and/or the cam follower issue? Based on how relatively quickly Audi reacted to both of these issues, I have to imagine they were aware that the liability was fairly significant and changes were necessary.

[vagbond]

Mine ('07, 2.0t, 6pd) failed at about 29k, bought car new and it was almost 3 years old at time of failure. I use mostly the auto setting and econ fairly often. Initially, the dealer tried to re-charge the system and told me beforehand I would have to pay for the re-charge. They're obviously aware of the issue and trying avoid replacement. Thankfully the system could not be re-charged and the compressor was replaced under warranty.

[tiptronic]

Does anyone have any knowledge of any lawsuits against Audi of America for both the AC compressor and/or the cam follower issue? Based on how relatively quickly Audi reacted to both of these issues, I have to imagine they were aware that the liability was fairly significant and changes were necessary.

With hopes that someone at Audi truly cares about these issues, I have sent a detailed letter regarding my cam-follower (main argument was that the tech knew about the TSB, but DID NOT inspect the cam follower when he changed the fuel pressure pump, and sent me out, only for me to come back 30minutes later because the follower totally failed as i drove home - caused me approx $2k). Sent it to Keyes Audi, Audi of America, Attorney General/Better business Bureau for Ventura, LA County, and Michigan.
I also mentioned about reports on failed AC compressors (which knock on wood, mine is still okay)

e

[Travis Grundke]

Tiptronic -

Generally, you are best served sending a letter with complete documentation on an attorney's letterhead. That generally gets the attention of the appropriate folks.

It's also quite possible that some people have followed this approach and received compensation from AoA, but are bound by terms of the agreement from talking about it.

With hopes that someone at Audi truly cares about these issues, I have sent a detailed letter regarding my cam-follower (main argument was that the tech knew about the TSB, but DID NOT inspect the cam follower when he changed the fuel pressure pump, and sent me out, only for me to come back 30minutes later because the follower totally failed as i drove home - caused me approx $2k). Sent it to Keyes Audi, Audi of America, Attorney General/Better business Bureau for Ventura, LA County, and Michigan.
I also mentioned about reports on failed AC compressors (which knock on wood, mine is still okay)
e

[tiptronic]

Good point....

Thanks!

[Flemo123]

Seems like this thread has gone fairly quiet. Any new information on failed compressors and Audi's response?

Mine literally blew appart yesterday. Will try to upload some photos of anyone is interested. Already dropped $160 for a tow and now waiting for the remains of the cost from the dealership. I am thoroughly p'ed off about this. Car is an '07, only 35K miles. I initially thought it was just a belt failure but on further investigation the compressor has blown appart. Shards of metal and oil all over the place. Thankfully my friendly dealership has provided a rental at their cost but I'm sure they'll make that up on the repair.

I already called AoA and lodged a complaint. They were non-commital without any info from the dealer shop, but they are primed. I read somewhere that someone got them to pay 80% of the cost. Would anyone who got some financial help from Audi mind posting their case number from customer support. It always helps if there is a precedent.

I am speculating that there is some connection between very hot weather and these failures. The failure followed a 3 day heat wave in the Boston area with temps up to 100 degrees. I've read of several in the Vegas area where these temps are normal.

My wife asked what age a car should be when this happens. I said never. Failed compressors are probably not uncommon on 100K+ cars but a catastrophic failure in a 5 year old with 35K miles. This is clearly a sub-standard component that Audi should be stepping up and replacing.

[elgordito941]

I think my compressor just blew today.... unless its something else. I get no air coming from the vents at all/ hot or cold even on econ mode.

Im interested to see if anyone does have the key to getting them to cover some portion of it as well. No $ for this b.s that shouldn't happen in the first place.

[tomekpl21]

I have an 07 A3 3.2 Quattro. A/C was fine until about a month ago when it just gets stuck on Econ mode and blows hot air. Also when this started to happen my radiator fan starts to blow at full speed from the second I turn the car on to a minute afterni turn it off. I have 65k miles on it now. It's extremely hot but $1700 seems really high IMHO. Let me know if you guys have any luck getting a hold of Audi on this issue.

[TBomb]

I think my compressor just blew today.... unless its something else. I get no air coming from the vents at all/ hot or cold even on econ mode.

Im interested to see if anyone does have the key to getting them to cover some portion of it as well. No $ for this b.s that shouldn't happen in the first place.

If you have no air blowing at all, that sounds more like your AC blower motor. If the compressor went out, you would still get air blowing, just not cold air.

[Uber-A3]

If you have no air blowing at all, that sounds more like your AC blower motor. If the compressor went out, you would still get air blowing, just not cold air.

and it would be stuck in econ mode.

[littlewhite]

I'm on my fourth compressor. The orig went out at 59k, 2&3 never cooled properly, the fourth works fine. The dealer said they've had lots of problems w/ A3 compressors, including the current batch of replacements.

YIKES! 4th one? So the ones they replace Zxcel to the Denso one hv problems too?

So i take all of you guys that have/had AC compressor failure turn on AC often?? I hardly use mine and i'm close to 40K miles

[MattInTheCouv]

old bad one

new good one

just because your compressor doesn't look like the 'bad one' from these pics, doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't a bad one. note that the pulley of the bad one pictured here is NOT the pulley pictured in the TSB. so, just beware that there may be more than one visual appearance for bad compressors and/or pulleys.

[06A3Stage2]

Compressor just failed at 75,000km on a 2006 audi a3 2.0t along with the alternator clutch pulley

[MisterJJ]

Mine does not look like the Zexel or the Denso. Assume Sanden?

A/C is still working but I sometimes hear a thrumming sound when it is on. It's been mentioned that the Sanden units also fail but in a different way...

Anyone know what the failure mode is for the Sanden units?

I also noticed there is some hard goo that looks like it is coming out of the pulley (arrow).

[imtimmy]

'06 a4 2.0, AC been out since 75k, I'm at 94 now and determined to have AC this summer in Texas. I've been on many forums trying to get as much info as I can as to the possible fixes for these compressors. Some have told me to check Hi-Lo pressure switch, harness connection. My system is at 110psi on hi and lo, auto works, econ works just warm air on both. 3 different shops diagnose, bad compressor, 1 of the shops explains it is not getting a signal to engage. I am hoping to see if it's just a bad switch instead of compressor. Bought this a4 used at 38k, for 5k miles everything worked fine. Since 43k something has always been broke on the car, all the major issues that are known plus more. Not that it matters as when it is 100+ degrees here in TX. to lower front windows, both regulators went out at about 65k miles.

[mike3141]

Why don't you ask in the appropriate A4 forum:


http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?731-A4-(B7)

[ma2kster]

When the compressor fails it shoots all the debris into the condenser... Unfortunately there is no filter between the compressor and the condenser. The only filter/drier is downstream from the condenser. I tried to get a replacement condenser, and they kept telling me flushing was adequate. i found MKV Golf TSBs on the same matter that called for a new condenser and AUDI didn't care to listen to me. After 3 compressors and many flushes, now the new compressor is a DEnso, but they refused replacing my condenser and I still don't get sufficient cooling from my A/C. It have a 2006 and the first compressor had filed 30-40 days after delivery, the next one failed in 90 days, the last time they gave me compressor was in 2010. can you imagine 3 comprossors failing and the amount of metal shavings, etc. and Audi refusing to replace the condenser

see below one of my older post on this matter:
http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthr...ur-ac-replaced

Here is some reading material. Not sure how strong/credible the arguments here are, and I also don't know which type of a condenser Audi used (serpentine versus parallel flow). I agree that an engineering mistake with an undersized evap/contamination of the evap would also be a great influence on overall performance, but isn't there are a filter/drier before the evap? The Factory Service Manual clearly shows the filter/drier downstream from the condenser; I would think any foreign object.debris exiting compressor would straight go into the condenser. When we pulled up the system diagram at the dealership; the service reps were surprised to see this fact, they were in the belief that there is a filter before the condenser. If I can find the TSBs I will provide their numbers; I know back in 2006 VW was replacing the condensers, but Audi was just flushing them. One dealer service foreman admitted to me that they didn't have the flush machine when this type of failure first started in our cars.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/us40330.htm

"Something else to keep in mind about flushing is that it follows the path of least resistance. In a serpentine-style condenser, there is only one path the refrigerant can follow so the flushing chemical will follow the same path from the entrance to the exit. In a parallel flow condenser, the flush may not flow through all the tubes if some are partially or completely blocked. Attempting to flush a dirty parallel flow condenser, therefore, is probably a waste of time.

Some say it's also a waste of time to flush newer serpentine condensers that have the extremely small extruded tubes. The openings only measure .040" to .060" - which improves cooling efficiency but makes it very difficult to clean by flushing. Older tube-and-fin-style condensers with large tubes can be more easily cleaned with flush."

[Uber-A3]

My compressor seized in 2008. The dealer only flushed the system and replaced the dryer. Over the past few years my AC got worse and worse until it finally was only cooling the air 4 degrees. Last month I swapped the evaporator valve, condenser/dryer, and pressure sensor. I had it recharged and Yesterday was 100 degrees in Vegas and I had to turn the fan down because I was too cold. I don't know why if you have a VW the dealer will replace the condenser and evaporator valve but an Audi just gets a flush and dryer.

[crew219]

My compressor seized in 2008. The dealer only flushed the system and replaced the dryer. Over the past few years my AC got worse and worse until it finally was only cooling the air 4 degrees. Last month I swapped the evaporator valve, condenser/dryer, and pressure sensor. I had it recharged and Yesterday was 100 degrees in Vegas and I had to turn the fan down because I was too cold. I don't know why if you have a VW the dealer will replace the condenser and evaporator valve but an Audi just gets a flush and dryer.

The A3 is like the bastard child in the AoA lineup.