I have 2003 3.0 with an AC that is under performing.
It has done this ever since I bought it several years ago. About a year ago I had a front collision, and I think they needed to replace the "AC radiator" (I know it has a different name, but not sure what) as the body shop had to send the car to the AC shop before I got it back. I was hoping the AC system was just low on refrigerant, and that it would come back being better (since the AC shop would have filled it up properly), but when I got the car back it wasn't any better (or worse) than it was prior.

The AC isn't stuck in ECON mode, and it does blow cooled air, but it isn't anywhere near cool enough, so on warmer days (80F+, 25C+) the cabin gets really warm despite that I have it set at LO and keep the fan pretty high.

Aside from taking it to an AC specialist, do any of you have any advise on what could be wrong? Anything I could try to do myself? (I've replaced the cabin air filter, it did nothing)

I tried to search here and google for similar problems but weren't able to find any.
Really appreciate any help you can provide.

 

I've got a 2002 A4 3.0, and have always found the AC to be less than optimal. I bought the car new, and when I experienced the poor AC performance during the first summer I owned it I took it to the dealer, where they said the AC was performing within specs. A few years ago I bought a can of refrigerant and added some to the system. It seems to have helped a bit, but not to the point where I'd say it was normal.

While I was investigating the AC problem, I came across a website with stats that indicated my A4's AC system has less refrigerant in it than that of a Mini Cooper. Perhaps this explains the poor AC performance.

 

Thanks for your feedback, so is this something anyone else have heard of, that the AC system is subpar by default?

 

i have a question...i have an issue where the ac is stuck in econ. when i got the car it worked, but i pressed the econ button learning and playing with the car and now it wont turn off. haven't needed it since so it hasn't been a pain but seeing your post i figured i'd ask.

 

I'm also having the iffy AC performance on my 2002 A4 1.8T. Like you said, it blows "cooled" air, but on very hot days it just doesn't cut it. I feel like I have a leak or it needs to be refilled, but after seeing this it might just be how it is. I also replaced the cabin filter and it did nothing. I've also noticed when I turn the AC on I don't really hear or feel the compressor kicking in. Do you?

Hopefully we can find a cheap solution to make it at least a little better.

 

Search this site or on google, your problem has been discussed elsewhere. When I posted my original post I mentioned that my "AC isn't stuck in ECON mode", and I said that because I had read others having that problem. I'm sorry, but I can't remember now what the underlying problem of that ECON problem was, or if there was any easy solution, but search and you should find info about it.

 

On my previous car (not Audi) I could clearly hear when the AC compressor kicked in, but on this one I've never heard it that I can remember, but I think that is just Audi being good at producing a quiet car, cause if the compressor wasn't running, the air being blown wouldn't be cooled at all.
Also, if the AC can't cool down the cabin enough, then the compressor is likely to just be running continuously and never get a signal to stop.
I'm going to test it later by switching to ECON and back and listen for if I can hear the compressor kicking in.

Does your "duct system" keep on going after you turn the engine off? After I turn off the engine, the duct system under the dash (the little electric motors that are used to redirect the air) makes sounds. It sounds just like if it is changing back and forth between the various options for where the air can be blown, and can go at it for a minute or two before it finally stops.
This worries me that the car might be having a problem with this duct system, that it is semi-jammed or something, causing cool air to not be channeled properly, but this is just me trying to come up with something/anything that could be wrong.

 

it all depends on how long the econ light stays on. IF its premanant u have a bad sensor. I read somewhere that it comes on intermitant due to low freon. . .

 

I tested the ECON and i cant really hear the compressor kicking on and off. I notice the fan that blows turns down a little but thats about it. I also notice my "duct system" makes noises after my car is off for maybe a minute at most.