A/C and ECON Mode Issue. Help much needed.

[Buddha09]

So I just realized this year (owned car for two years) that the A/C AND the ECON button are always on at the same time and I can NEVER turn off ECON mode. Any solution as to why this is, or ISN'T happening. I'd appreciate any help before I have my mechanic take a look at it and hopefully I don't get charged an arm and leg and leg hair for it.

[tp.wannabe.s3]

your ac compressor has failed. need to replace it

[mike3141]

You didn't say what year your car is but I'll guess that it's an '06. Audi used a bad batch of A/C compressors then and they fail. When that happens the ECON light comes on and you can't turn it off.

The repair is not cheap--you have to have the compressor replaced along with the dryer and have the system flushed to remove any metal that might be in it.

[Buddha09]

Any idea how much this might cost?

It's a 2007

[tp.wannabe.s3]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ight=failed+ac


some one said they quoted $1700

[tiptronic]

Any idea how much this might cost?

It's a 2007

What build month is your 2007 (mine is march)

Can you take a photo of your compressor? (Just curious if you have same compressor as mine, now at 100k, and still okay --knock on wood)...I think I may have a Denso compressor (one with the clutch wheel?)

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[hoshi7]

went through this as well, compressor died and it was the shaft that broke, re flush and that had to be done. Audi of course do not want to admit that the components are failing earlier than they should be.

mines march 07 as well....

[littlewhite]

Brand Zxcel or sth fails. It might be a bad sensor too. That happened to me few yrs ago and I thought it was the compressor but turns out it was just the sensors

[cldub]

Yeah isn't necessarily the compressor. I had a line get worn through (no idea how) and it showed the same econ button problem

[yowzaa]

Yeah isn't necessarily the compressor. I had a line get worn through (no idea how) and it showed the same econ button problem

My problem was definitely less catastrophic than a compressor. Similarly to cludub, I had a valve or line fail, resulting in ECON only functioning. So, there is hope that the cost of the OP's repair won't break the bank.

btw, when mine failed, there was an audible sound of gas escaping from the lines -- sort of like a balloon dying

[cldub]

My problem was definitely less catastrophic than a compressor. Similarly to cludub, I had a valve or line fail, resulting in ECON only functioning. So, there is hope that the cost of the OP's repair won't break the bank.

btw, when mine failed, there was an audible sound of gas escaping from the lines -- sort of like a balloon dying

Oh don't get me wrong, mine definitely broke the bank haha. Ended up costing around $1500 cause the shop had to replace the entire A/C line assembly.

Theres still hope though!

[Buddha09]

So my mechanic had a look and said it isn't the compressor. But he can't figure out what it might be and he's not getting a code to indicate it's a dead sensor.

Any other idea's?

[azoceanblue]

would it be worth having the dealer diagnose the problem?

Then have your own mechanic fix it.

I hope you find a solution

[Barn01]

I had my compressor fail on my 06 and if you include the $250 diagnosis fee then the total repair job was close to $3000 CAD. They basically did a wholesale swap of the entire system. I was pretty pissed but not much I could do. I was surprised that this was a known issue yet nothing covered under warranty/recall (I was 6mths out of coverage under standard warranty).

Most expensive car wash of my life

[Uber-A3]

my MY07 compressor failed. If the econ light is on there is a code, if a shop is telling you otherwise find a new shop.

[zcspec]

Budda...earlier this year, I had a similar issue happen to my 08. Since my car is a CPO, they fixed it without question. The good news is, it's not as catastrophic as you think. Let me dig into the pile of repair receipts for the A3 and I'll let you know what my issue was. I'm certain, it's not $1700 repair.

[06A3Stage2]

I was quoted $1287 to replace my compressor from Audi here in Canada. Maybe check some other local Audi dealers and see if the price changes. If you need I can post a picture of the quote, so you can take it down to dealer and try to bargain with them. I'm planning on waiting till spring to fix mine, maybe the price will decrease (doubtful, but one can dream!)

[LWNY]

At that price, I would just mount one of those $99 window AC in one of the window or sunroof area and call it that.

either in the dash:


or in the window:

[06A3Stage2]

Went to start the car today and it's squealing bad . I believe its coming from the ac compressor. Anyone else have this issue?

[Barn01]

I was quoted $1287 to replace my compressor from Audi here in Canada. Maybe check some other local Audi dealers and see if the price changes. If you need I can post a picture of the quote, so you can take it down to dealer and try to bargain with them. I'm planning on waiting till spring to fix mine, maybe the price will decrease (doubtful, but one can dream!)

I doubt you'll get it any cheaper than that. The compressor alone is almost $1000. Make sure they check that no metal chards got into the lines. If so then you'll have to change everything. It was over 8h of labor and when I called around for quotes everybody was withing a couple hundred so I took it to the dealer to have it done right. At $110/h for 10h and over $1400 in parts ... you get the idea ... oh and since you're in Canada like me ... don't forget the tax