Audi RS4 Sunshade Fix: Common Issues & Solutions

Had a similar issue with my 1999 Audi S4. The sun blind motor completely failed, it would get stuck and make grinding noises when trying to operate it. With some experience working on Audis, I first tried basic troubleshooting but quickly realized this needed professional attention. The window visor mechanism is quite complex in these models. Took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a burnt-out motor in the car blind assembly. They had to replace the entire sun blind unit as the motor itself isnt sold separately. Total repair took about 3 hours and cost 330 Euro including parts and labor. The interior accessory works perfectly now. No more sticking or grinding noises when operating the UV protection screen. Would need to know: Have you noticed any unusual sounds before it got stuck? Does the mechanism make any noise when you try to operate it? Did this start suddenly or get progressively worse? Which error codes exactly are you getting? This info would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my car blind system.

Last service was at 127500km, just 2 weeks ago. Forgot to mention the grinding noise started right after a car wash, which might be relevant. The sunshade makes a clicking sound when trying to operate it, different from your description of a constant grinding. I did get error code P3872 which points to the sun protection module. I checked the service manual and our blind mechanisms seem quite different between the RS4 and S4 models, so Im a bit hesitant about comparing the repair processes directly. The quote I got from a workshop was significantly higher at 850 Euro for a complete sunshade repair including parts. Worth noting my car interior shows no other electrical issues, so hopefully the problem is isolated to just the UV protection system.

Yes, the water intrusion during the car wash likely caused this issue, its a common problem on these models when water gets into the sun blind mechanism. While our S4 and RS4 have different sunshade designs, the basic problem points to water damage rather than mechanical failure like in my case. The clicking sound rather than grinding suggests the motor itself might still be functional, but the mechanism is likely seized due to corrosion or debris. My repair needed a full replacement because the motor burnt out, but yours might be salvageable with a thorough cleaning and lubrication of the window visor track. 850 Euro does seem steep compared to my repair costs, but if they need to remove the headliner to access the car sunshade assembly, that extra labor would explain the price difference. The sun protection module showing that error code typically indicates either: Water damage to the electronics, Seized mechanism putting excess load on the motor, Damaged wiring from repeated stress Consider getting a second opinion focused specifically on cleaning and servicing the existing mechanism rather than full replacement. A skilled tech might be able to restore proper function without replacing the entire sunshade unit.

Thanks for the extra details about the car wash timing and error code. That makes a lot more sense now. The S4 and RS4 sun visor setups are indeed quite different, so I apologize for assuming they would be comparable repairs. The clicking from my car sunshade has gotten more frequent since first posting. Just tried operating it again and now theres a faint burning smell, so Im going to avoid using it completely until fixed. Not worth risking more damage to the sun protection system. Given the high repair quote and the fact that moisture is likely the culprit, Im going to get a second opinion from another workshop that specializes in interior accessory repairs. Would rather explore cleaning and servicing the existing mechanism first before committing to a full replacement of the car blind assembly. Thanks for sharing your experience. Even though our models are different, it helped confirm that water exposure can definitely cause these UV protection issues. Will update once I get it looked at by another shop.