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moritzwerner7

Audi A2 AC System Dead: Sensor vs Compressor Issue

Looking for help with my 2004 Audi A2 1.4L petrol (135180km) AC troubles. The system wont turn on and isnt cooling at all. Found an error code related to the AC. Think it might be the compressor shut off but want to avoid getting ripped off at the shop again. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? What was the actual problem and repair cost in your case? Mainly concerned about the pressure sensor or AC relay being the culprit rather than the whole compressor.

4 comment(s)

josephwolf6

Had the same issue on my 2007 Audi A3 1.6L with similar mileage. After scanning, the HVAC system showed an undervoltage code related to the A/C compressor circuit. The root cause turned out to be a combination of problems. First, a refrigerant leak at one of the connection points meant the system lost pressure. This triggered the pressure sensor to shut down the compressor as a safety measure. The low pressure also caused extra strain on the compressor clutch. The repair required: Pressure testing the entire system, Locating and fixing the refrigerant leak, Replacing the pressure sensor, Checking the belt tensioner, Recharging the A/C system This was a serious repair since multiple components needed attention. The compressor itself was actually fine, the system just shut down to protect itself. The pressure sensor was the main culprit, as it was sending incorrect signals due to the refrigerant leak. Worth checking these components before assuming a full compressor replacement is needed. A qualified shop should test the whole system first rather than just swapping parts.

josephwolf6

Had the same issue on my 2007 Audi A3 1.6L with similar mileage. After scanning, the HVAC system showed an undervoltage code related to the A/C compressor circuit. The root cause turned out to be a combination of problems. First, a refrigerant leak at one of the connection points meant the system lost pressure. This triggered the pressure sensor to shut down the compressor as a safety measure. The low pressure also caused extra strain on the compressor clutch. The repair required: Pressure testing the entire system, Locating and fixing the refrigerant leak, Replacing the pressure sensor, Checking the belt tensioner, Recharging the A/C system This was a serious repair since multiple components needed attention. The compressor itself was actually fine, the system just shut down to protect itself. The pressure sensor was the main culprit, as it was sending incorrect signals due to the refrigerant leak. Worth checking these components before assuming a full compressor replacement is needed. A qualified shop should test the whole system first rather than just swapping parts.

josephwolf6

Had the same issue on my 2007 Audi A3 1.6L with similar mileage. After scanning, the HVAC system showed an undervoltage code related to the A/C compressor circuit. The root cause turned out to be a combination of problems. First, a refrigerant leak at one of the connection points meant the system lost pressure. This triggered the pressure sensor to shut down the compressor as a safety measure. The low pressure also caused extra strain on the compressor clutch. The repair required: Pressure testing the entire system, Locating and fixing the refrigerant leak, Replacing the pressure sensor, Checking the belt tensioner, Recharging the A/C system This was a serious repair since multiple components needed attention. The compressor itself was actually fine, the system just shut down to protect itself. The pressure sensor was the main culprit, as it was sending incorrect signals due to the refrigerant leak. Worth checking these components before assuming a full compressor replacement is needed. A qualified shop should test the whole system first rather than just swapping parts.

moritzwerner7 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had nearly identical issues with my A2 last summer, AC not engaging and throwing compressor-related codes. The refrigerant leak turned out to be my main problem too. The AC relay was also damaged, probably from the system cycling on and off due to low pressure. After fixing both, my AC has worked perfectly. Do you remember roughly what you paid for the full repair? Just curious how costs compare since I paid quite a bit. Also wondering if youve had any issues since getting it fixed?

moritzwerner7 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had nearly identical issues with my A2 last summer, AC not engaging and throwing compressor-related codes. The refrigerant leak turned out to be my main problem too. The AC relay was also damaged, probably from the system cycling on and off due to low pressure. After fixing both, my AC has worked perfectly. Do you remember roughly what you paid for the full repair? Just curious how costs compare since I paid quite a bit. Also wondering if youve had any issues since getting it fixed?

moritzwerner7 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had nearly identical issues with my A2 last summer, AC not engaging and throwing compressor-related codes. The refrigerant leak turned out to be my main problem too. The AC relay was also damaged, probably from the system cycling on and off due to low pressure. After fixing both, my AC has worked perfectly. Do you remember roughly what you paid for the full repair? Just curious how costs compare since I paid quite a bit. Also wondering if youve had any issues since getting it fixed?

josephwolf6

Glad to share an update. The air conditioning repair on my A3 has worked flawlessly since fixing the undervoltage issue. The pressure switch and relay switch repairs completely resolved the compressor shut off problem. The total bill came to 240 Euro, which covered diagnosing the electrical system and replacing the faulty components. This was much more reasonable than initially expected, especially considering a full compressor replacement wasnt needed. No issues with the HVAC system since the repair, the refrigerant levels have stayed stable and the compressor engages normally. The shop did a thorough pressure test to ensure there were no remaining leaks in the system. Its definitely worth having these smaller electrical components checked first before assuming the worst about the compressor. A proper diagnosis can save significant money when dealing with air conditioning problems.

josephwolf6

Glad to share an update. The air conditioning repair on my A3 has worked flawlessly since fixing the undervoltage issue. The pressure switch and relay switch repairs completely resolved the compressor shut off problem. The total bill came to 240 Euro, which covered diagnosing the electrical system and replacing the faulty components. This was much more reasonable than initially expected, especially considering a full compressor replacement wasnt needed. No issues with the HVAC system since the repair, the refrigerant levels have stayed stable and the compressor engages normally. The shop did a thorough pressure test to ensure there were no remaining leaks in the system. Its definitely worth having these smaller electrical components checked first before assuming the worst about the compressor. A proper diagnosis can save significant money when dealing with air conditioning problems.

josephwolf6

Glad to share an update. The air conditioning repair on my A3 has worked flawlessly since fixing the undervoltage issue. The pressure switch and relay switch repairs completely resolved the compressor shut off problem. The total bill came to 240 Euro, which covered diagnosing the electrical system and replacing the faulty components. This was much more reasonable than initially expected, especially considering a full compressor replacement wasnt needed. No issues with the HVAC system since the repair, the refrigerant levels have stayed stable and the compressor engages normally. The shop did a thorough pressure test to ensure there were no remaining leaks in the system. Its definitely worth having these smaller electrical components checked first before assuming the worst about the compressor. A proper diagnosis can save significant money when dealing with air conditioning problems.

moritzwerner7 (Author)

After getting multiple mixed opinions from friends, I finally took my A2 to a certified shop. Had similar fears about needing a full compressor replacement but thankfully that wasnt the case. The total repair came to 320 Euro which covered fixing the refrigerant leak, replacing the AC relay, and recharging the system. The pressure sensor actually tested fine despite my initial concerns. The mechanic showed me where the leak was occurring at a corroded connection point. The HVAC system has been working perfectly for the past 6 months since the repair. No more error codes or compressor engagement issues. While the bill was higher than I hoped, it was much better than the 1000 Euro+ quoted for a new compressor at another shop. Good to hear your repair cost was even lower at 240 Euro. Makes me feel better about what I paid given the similar work needed. Definitely learned my lesson about getting a proper diagnosis before assuming the worst.

moritzwerner7 (Author)

After getting multiple mixed opinions from friends, I finally took my A2 to a certified shop. Had similar fears about needing a full compressor replacement but thankfully that wasnt the case. The total repair came to 320 Euro which covered fixing the refrigerant leak, replacing the AC relay, and recharging the system. The pressure sensor actually tested fine despite my initial concerns. The mechanic showed me where the leak was occurring at a corroded connection point. The HVAC system has been working perfectly for the past 6 months since the repair. No more error codes or compressor engagement issues. While the bill was higher than I hoped, it was much better than the 1000 Euro+ quoted for a new compressor at another shop. Good to hear your repair cost was even lower at 240 Euro. Makes me feel better about what I paid given the similar work needed. Definitely learned my lesson about getting a proper diagnosis before assuming the worst.

moritzwerner7 (Author)

After getting multiple mixed opinions from friends, I finally took my A2 to a certified shop. Had similar fears about needing a full compressor replacement but thankfully that wasnt the case. The total repair came to 320 Euro which covered fixing the refrigerant leak, replacing the AC relay, and recharging the system. The pressure sensor actually tested fine despite my initial concerns. The mechanic showed me where the leak was occurring at a corroded connection point. The HVAC system has been working perfectly for the past 6 months since the repair. No more error codes or compressor engagement issues. While the bill was higher than I hoped, it was much better than the 1000 Euro+ quoted for a new compressor at another shop. Good to hear your repair cost was even lower at 240 Euro. Makes me feel better about what I paid given the similar work needed. Definitely learned my lesson about getting a proper diagnosis before assuming the worst.

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