Audi Q2 AC Dead: Common Causes Before Repair Shop

My 2014 Audi A3 had nearly identical AC symptoms. After professional AC diagnostics, the issue was traced to a faulty pressure switch and a refrigerant leak at one of the system valves. The pressure switch failure prevented the AC compressor from engaging, which explains why your system wont activate. This is actually a safety feature to protect the AC components when refrigerant levels drop too low. The blower motor tested fine, but the leak required removal of several components for proper access. The root cause was a deteriorated valve seal, a common failure point in VAG vehicles of this generation. AC maintenance records showed the system hadnt been serviced in 4 years, which likely contributed to the seal degradation. This is considered a serious repair since multiple components need removal for proper access. The refrigerant leak can also cause long-term damage to other AC components if left unaddressed. Would recommend having a professional shop conduct a proper pressure test and UV dye test to pinpoint the exact leak location. Attempting DIY diagnosis could risk further system contamination.

Thanks for sharing your A3 experience. My Q2 had a similar issue last summer and it turned out the AC relay was faulty, plus there was a significant refrigerant leak. The AC noise got worse over time before it completely stopped working. After fixing both problems, the AC efficiency improved dramatically. Just wondering, do you remember the total repair cost in your case? Also, has everything been working properly since the fix? I spent 450 Euro on mine and curious if that was in the normal range.

Following the mechanic visit, the AC repair on my A3 cost 1000 Euro, which covered fixing defective valves in the air conditioning system. Since the repair, the AC has worked flawlessly with no AC noise or efficiency issues. The work included replacing deteriorated seals and a complete system recharge. Your 450 Euro repair sounds quite reasonable for an AC relay replacement and refrigerant leak fix. The higher cost in my case was due to more extensive valve work and the need to disassemble multiple components to access the problem areas. The important thing is catching AC maintenance issues early. My complete system inspection revealed multiple worn seals that could have led to additional refrigerant leaks if left unchecked. The thorough fix eliminated all the concerning symptoms, no more strange AC noises, no efficiency problems, and the cooling performance is now perfect.

After reading about your experience, I finally took my Q2 to a new mechanic last week. The cooling system inspection revealed both a bad AC relay and a significant refrigerant leak near the compressor. The AC noise I heard was actually the compressor struggling due to low refrigerant levels. The total repair came to 450 Euro, which included replacing the AC relay, fixing the leak, and recharging the system. The mechanic also performed a full AC maintenance check to ensure no other components were damaged. Really glad I got it fixed before summer, the AC performance is now perfect with consistent cooling and no strange noises. Definitely learned my lesson about regular AC maintenance checks to catch these issues early.