Technical Service Bulletin
87 Climate system is not cooling as desired
87 12 36 2012886/6 November 16, 2012. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 87 number 10-07 dated
September 2, 2010 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

Audi Q7

2007 - 2014

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

6

-

Revised warranty table (damage code) and additional “ Note”
Revised header data (additional model years)

5

9/2/2010

Revised header data (Controlling TSB display in ElsaWeb)

4

8/6/2010

Revised header data (Added MYs)
Revised Warranty

3

12/5/2008

Revised Title to include Repair Group

The A/C system is not cooling as desired in hot weather areas.

Technical Background
The following are suggestions to achieve maximum cooling efficiency in hot weather areas.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Page 1 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Service
1. Ensure that the scale on your R-134 A/C service tool is properly calibrated.
2. Discharge the A/C system as described in the ElsaWeb Repair Manual and measure the amount of refrigerant
removed from the vehicle.
3. Refill the A/C system with the specified amount of refrigerant. Include dye for leak testing. (Ensure proper
amount of refrigerant oil.)
Refrigerant capacity in grams
 2 Zone 700 ± 50 grams.
 4 Zone 1050 ± 50 grams.
4. If the incorrect amount of refrigerant is measured then take the appropriate steps to identify the leak in the
system. Check service connections, A/C line joints, TXV connection, etc to ensure any small leaks are
identified and repaired.
5. If the correct amount of refrigerant is measured, perform the A/C system cooling performance, checking test
outlined in the ElsaWeb Repair Manual for the Audi Q7 front and rear A/C system.
6. Verify that the front and rear climate systems are operating within the specified operating range.
7. If the A/C system does not achieve the desired values, follow the diagnostic instructions outlined in ElsaWeb

Determine malfunction if specified values are not obtained.
Tip: Ensure proper operation of the recirculating flap.
8. If the climate system is operating within the specified range, parts replacement is not necessary and will not
improve the operation of the climate system.
If the climate system is operating within the specified operating range, explain that it is not uncommon in some
areas with hotter climates (i.e. the southwestern area of the United States) for the climate system to take
longer to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature level. Parking the vehicle for a long period of time in
direct sunlight will heat the cabin above normal levels. Therefore it will take a longer than expected to cool the
cabin.
Here are a few pointers that will help to accelerate cabin cooling:
 To prevent the cabin from heating up, we recommend to keep all sunshades closed (roof, tailgate and
doors).
 Allow hot air to escape by leaving a side window slightly open.

Page 2 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
 Open the rear sunroof to tilt position for the first 3 to 4 minutes after startup. This will allow hot air to escape
faster.
 An aftermarket sunscreen for front windshield can help keep the cabin cooler.
 An aftermarket window tint foil applied to the glass roof can reduce the cabin heat.
 Using only the front A/C system, if no passengers are in the rear cabin, will cool the front area of the cabin
faster.
 Avoid parking in direct sunlight if possible.

Warranty
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service
Bulletin is informational only.

Service Number:

8734

Damage Code:

0016

Labor Operations:

Air conditioner check

87 01 01 50

30 TU

Refrigerant drain and refill

87 03 17 00

50 TU

Use the appropriate labor operation for removing

Use appropriate

XX TU

and installing any A/C related components that

labor operation

are found to be leaking.
Diagnostic Time:

GFF

0150 0000

Time stated on
diagnostic
protocol (Max 50
TU)

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

Page 3 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Technical diagnosis at dealer’ s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance details)
Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2012886/6

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures

Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Note: If system evacuate and recharge procedure is performed and additional refrigerant is added due to
low volume, the root cause of the refrigerant loss must be diagnosed and repaired. Evacuation and recharge of
the circuit with the addition of refrigerant in a system with low refrigerant volume that is not accompanied by a
diagnosis and repair of the system leak that caused the low refrigerant level is only covered within 12 months or
12,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Required Parts and Tools
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

VAS 5051, VAS

Diagnostic tester

1

A/C system service unit

1

5051B or VAS
5052
A/C service unit

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with
your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

Page 4 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.