Aircon woes, expensive fix failed a few weeks later :(

[page3]

A few weeks back the high pressure sensor on my Audi A3 (2007) burst without warning, releasing all the aircon gas in a whistling stream. Sounded like a kettle for about 20 minutes!

Got it fixed at a trusted specialist at a cost exceeding £500 (new design sensor including pipes, 4 hours labour as a pain to fit, re-gas etc) - dealer quotes were £1K+ and I was three days out of warranty!!!

All worked great for a couple of weeks, until without warning the 'econ' light will now not go out and therefore no aircon No dramatic leaking this time though or any other symptom.

The car is obviously going back in, but I was wondering if anyone had any informed idea of what it might be? Perhaps another part known to fail? - I believe a low pressure switch is a possibility? Clearly the compressor could be at fault - but I'd rather not think that as my wallet hasn't recovered yet!

 

[MrLapou]

Could be as simple as a slow leak through a fitting. I'm sure indy will perform a vacuum or pressure dye test before re-filling with refrigerant.

 

[Farhan]

Odd this, i had the same problem and had mine repaired by a forum members family member and so far its been great, My high pressure switch did the same thing on a very hot day. The seal ring on the high pressure sensor was shot, All the gas leaked out. I bought a new sensor for audi circa £60 and just paid labour to switch the sensor and re-gas. Mine was absolutely fine?

The only other thing i can think of, In the time that the sensor failed did you carry on trying to use the air con, This could have damaged the compressor because of the lack of lubricant.

Thats a possibility but regarding the extensive work carried out to repair the initial symptoms, The garage who carried out the work should certainly carry some liability. My suggestion before going back is to get a second opinion from another air condition specialist just to make sure the garage who carried out the work do not try weave out of this and say its something else when it could be down to them. A decent air con specialist has the necessary uv equipment to check for leaks around the piping areas. If any of the pipes that were fitted have leaks then you have strong grounds to go back and say i have had it independently checked and confirmed it is down to the work carried out.

 

[MrLapou]

It's my impression the air con has a fails safe mech.
If pressure falls to a low level the compressor is shut down to protect it.

 

[page3]

Thanks for the replies.

Some useful pointers for me to think about.

 

[vacant]

Without doubt the people who did the repair will have to bear some responsibility unless it was clearlly a totally unrelated issue. They should certainly be the first place to head!

 

[page3]

A happy ending (hopefully!).

Took it back today to the specialist, who diagnosed the problem and fixed it for free

 

[SAiLO]

If it was only three days out of warrany I'd still have tried to negotiate with audi. They might have given you a good will gesture and dropped the price and even done it free.

 

[pluves1]

If it was only three days out of warrany I'd still have tried to negotiate with audi. They might have given you a good will gesture and dropped the price and even done it free.

Second the above. Amazes me how some folk seem to think that warranties are down to the day. If I had any fault that was even a month or longer out of warranty it would be straight back to the Audi dealer. I always think of it like this - did the dealer tell me that at 3 years lots of things would start to fail on the car I was buying and I would have to pay for them? If they didn't most items that I would expect to last for longer than 3 years (air con included) should be fixed for free or at minimal cost to me. In addition its always difficult for the dealer to prove that the fault or part hadn't failed whilst it was in warranty and that you only noticed when out of warranty.

Interestingly I took my S3 back to dealer for its MOT. They sent me a flyer stating the cost was £49.99 - when I went in I simply reminded them that when they sold me the car they stated that I got free MOT's for the time I owned the car and I wouldn't be paying anything. All done verbally and something I know Audi stopped doing recently. So it pays to query things with your dealer.

Another tip is that when someone sells me the car I always ask for the manager. I simply say - 'if I have a problem with my new car will you promise to do all you can to help and not leave me in the lurch' - works every time I've had an issue with our S3.

Oh and always be polite but, firm in any issues.