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sophieeule1

Audi A3 Climate Control Failure Needs Expert Fix

Having trouble with my 2017 Audi A3 (gas, 96411km) car HVAC system. The system diagnostics show an error code and the automatic climate control is acting up. The air conditioning doesnt cool at all anymore. My mechanic suggested its a rear ventilation flap problem but I had bad experiences with them before. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms and can recommend how to handle this? Looking for repair costs and potential fixes before I commit to any work.

4 comment(s)

helena_stern53

Had the same problems on a 2014 Audi A4 2.0T. The automatic climate control malfunction often points to a faulty ventilation flap actuator connection. The system diagnostics revealed similar error codes relating to the air circulation system. After testing, it turned out the wiring harness connecting to the actuator motor had corroded pins, disrupting signals between the climate control module and rear ventilation components. This affected both front and rear passengers comfort significantly. The repair required: Complete removal of the dashboard, Replacement of the wire harness connector, Recalibration of the flap motors, Full system diagnostics reset This was a complex repair taking about 6 hours of labor. Despite the intensive work, its not considered a major mechanical issue and doesnt affect engine performance or safety systems. Getting a second opinion from another certified shop would be wise. The symptoms match exactly what I experienced, and postponing the repair could lead to complete climate control system failure. Request the shop to perform a full diagnostic test specifically targeting the ventilation flap actuator and its connections before starting any work.

sophieeule1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. The symptoms you describe match my situation perfectly, especially the flap actuator issues affecting the air distribution. The diagnostic codes were also similar. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete repair? Also wondering if you had any recurring issues with the automatic climate control system since getting it fixed? My main concern is making sure this is a permanent solution, especially since air circulation problems can make driving really uncomfortable for rear passengers.

helena_stern53

Just following up on your questions about repair costs, I got the work done last week and can confirm the issue was exactly what we discussed. The repair focused on the rear ventilation flap, specifically a faulty cable and plug connection affecting the air distribution system. The total cost came to 95 Euro, which was much less than I initially expected based on the system diagnostics. The climate control has been working flawlessly since the fix. The automatic settings now maintain consistent temperatures, and the air conditioning performance is back to normal. For what its worth, I havent experienced any recurring issues with the car HVAC system since the repair. The fix seems to be permanent, and the rear passenger comfort is notably improved with proper air circulation restored. The mechanic mentioned these connection problems are fairly common but straightforward to fix once properly diagnosed. Getting it fixed was definitely the right call, no more error codes and the whole system runs smoother than before. The air distribution is now perfectly balanced between front and rear.

sophieeule1 (Author)

After getting multiple opinions, I finally took my A3 to a different mechanic specializing in car HVAC systems. They quickly identified the air circulation problem affecting both front and rear passengers. The repair took about 4 hours and cost 780 Euro, covering: New wiring harness installation, Ventilation flap motor replacement, Air distribution system recalibration, Full diagnostic system reset The automatic climate control now works perfectly, no more error codes or inconsistent cooling. The air conditioning runs strong and all cabin zones get proper airflow. Really glad I switched mechanics and got this resolved properly. This repair cost more than the first quote but included additional components the original mechanic missed. Worth every cent to have reliable climate control again, especially for the rear passengers who were getting barely any air before. For anyone facing similar issues, definitely get a specialist opinion and make sure they do a complete system diagnostic before starting repairs.

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