Technical Service Bulletin
87 Air conditioning does not cool and / or compressor is noisy
87 15 71 2038023/7 October 14, 2015. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 87 number 15-68 dated
August 21, 2015 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A3, A3 Cabriolet

2015

000001 - 106816

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

7

-

Revised Warranty (Added N280 SRT and removed unnecessary SRTs)
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Removed unnecessary parts and tools)

6

8/21/2015

Revised Service (Added more specific N280 debris description in steps 9 and
10)

5

7/29/2015

Revised Warranty (Added additional necessary SRTs)

• One or more of the following conditions are exhibited:
• The air conditioning does not cool, or the cooling performance is very weak.
• The air conditioning system cools, but the compressor is noisy. The noise is characterized as a grinding or
groaning noise.
• Either symptom may be intermittent.
• No DTCs are stored.

Technical Background
This condition is most likely caused by a faulty N280
valve (Figure 1). The internal components of the valve
can be obstructed and incapable of full function. This
loss of refrigerant regulation from N280 can cause noise
from the A/C compressor and/or affect the HVAC
cooling.

Figure 1. N280 Refrigerant Regulating Valve.
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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
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Technical Service Bulletin
Production Solution
Denso A/C compressors are currently being installed in
production (Figure 2 and Figure 3).
An improved N280 valve for the Sanden A/C compressor is
now available as a replacement part (5Q0 260 839 A).
Replacement of the entire A/C compressor is not necessary
in most cases.

Figure 2. Denso compressor identification tag.

Figure 3. Sanden compressor identification tag.

Service
Confirm the cause:
Since either symptom may be intermittent, the diagnostic process can affect the reproducibility of the
condition. Begin the diagnosis by isolating the cause before performing the basic checks:
1. Connect both the refrigerant service station (Figure 4) and
the diagnostic tester to the vehicle.

Figure 4. Robinair A/C Service Unit.
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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
2. For cases of noise:
When diagnosing cases of noise, use chassis ears or a
technician’s stethoscope to make sure that the root cause of
the noise is from the air conditioning compressor. The noise
can change or may be absent depending on the setting on
the HVAC control unit. In many cases, the noise is more
pronounced with the system switched off.
For cases of low or no cooling performance:
Rule out a refrigerant circuit leak as the root cause.
Evacuate the refrigerant circuit to determine the refrigerant
volume. The refrigerant volume will likely be in specification.
Should the refrigerant volume be too low, investigate a
potential refrigerant leak in the circuit. It is not likely that the
refrigerant level will be too high because if it is, a DTC will be
stored. If no system leak is determined, recharge the circuit
with the specified amount of refrigerant before proceeding.

Perform the test plan:
1. With the engine at idle, switch the climate
control unit to full cold and full fan.
2. Using the diagnostic tester, go to Guided
Functions.
3. Monitor the measuring value for the air
conditioner compressor regulating valve
N280 signal (Figure 5).
The actual and specified values will be
plausible and will show a normal
regulating range of current for cooling
request (0.400 A – 0.680 A).
However, there will be equalized pressure
readings on the high and low sides of the
circuit (no pressure generation from the
compressor).

Figure 5. Checking N280 signal value Measuring Value Block.

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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
4. Continuing in Guided Functions, select
the test plan for “Check A/C Compressor”
(Figure 6).

Figure 6. Selecting test plan for “Check A/C Compressor”.
5. Shut off the engine. Connect the breakout
harness VAS 5256 (Figure 7) between
the N280 valve and its connector.

Figure 7. VAS 5256 breakout harness.
6. Next, the signal wave form will be
checked (Figure 8). The square wave
signal should be between 75% and 100%.

Figure 8. Checking the N280 signal wave form.

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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
7. If the wave form signal is good, the
mechanical integrity of the N280 valve will
be inspected next (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Checking for N280 valve contamination.
8. Recover the refrigerant from the
system. Remove the N280 valve using
the procedure in the Elsa Repair Manual.

Warning: With the refrigerant circuit charged the N280 valve is under pressure. Be certain that the refrigerant
circuit is completely discharged before removing the N280 valve.

9.

Assess the condition of the N280 valve
bore and the valve filter screen (Figure
10). If severe contamination or corrosion
is found in the valve bore there is a risk
of damaging the replacement valve on
installation. In these cases, the A/C
compressor must be replaced. A slight
amount of debris or corrosion does not
present a risk and does not justify
replacement of the A/C compressor.

Figure 10. Corrosion in the N280 valve bore.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
10. Should severe contamination be found
at the valve filter screen (Figure 11) and
A/C compressor replacement becomes
necessary, ensure that the refrigerant
circuit is flushed in the course of
repair. The presence of small random
particles on the filter screen does not
constitute ‘severe’ contamination and
does not justify replacement of the A/C
compressor.

Figure 11: Severe contamination at the N280 valve filter screen.
11. If little or no contamination is found, the
test plan will direct to replace the N280
regulating valve (Figure 12). Replace the
valve using the instructions in the Elsa
Repair Manual.

Figure 12: Test plan confirming that the N280 is faulty.

In the rare case of a catastrophic air conditioning compressor failure, replace the air conditioning
compressor:
1. As mentioned in the Technical Background, the originallyinstalled compressor on the MY 2015 A3 is manufactured
by Sanden (Figure 13). The replacement compressor is
manufactured by Denso (Figure 14).
When replacing the original Sanden compressor with a
Denso compressor, be aware that while the refrigerant
volume is the same regardless of the compressor installed,
the PAG oil type and volume is not. Sanden and Denso
compressors have specific PAG oils that must be used.
Figure 13: Sanden compressor identification tag.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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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

Figure 14: Denso compressor identification tag.
2. The original PAG oil that will be in the refrigerant circuit
must be flushed out completely with the air conditioning
service station with flushing equipment, as specified in the
Elsa Repair Manual.
• The flushing procedure can be found in the Elsa Repair
Manual at: Heating, Ventilation & Air
Conditioning>>Refrigerant R134a Servicing>>87 Air
Conditioning>>Refrigerant Circuit>>Refrigerant Circuit,
Cleaning (Flushing), with Refrigerant R134a. The
procedure is also described in TSB 2018162.
• The correct adapters for the 2015 A3 can be found in the
Elsa Repair Manual at: Heating, Ventilation & Air
Conditioning>>Refrigerant R134a Servicing>>87 Air
Conditioning>>Refrigerant Circuit>> Refrigerant Circuit,
Cleaning (Flushing), with Refrigerant R134a>>Adapter
for Assembling Flushing Circuit.
3. The replacement compressor will come with the specified
type of PAG oil for the compressor (Figure 15). The amount
of PAG oil supplied with the replacement compressor may
not be the exact amount required to replenish the refrigerant
circuit. Drain and measure the PAG oil in the replacement
compressor to determine the required amount. If the
amount needs to be adjusted, do so using the correct type
of PAG oil specified in ETKA. Refer to Elsa for the correct
oil capacity for the compressor being installed.

Figure 15: Compressor manufacturer specific
PAG oils.

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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
Tip: Air conditioning compressors that are replaced due to the conditions described will be requested for
submission and analysis. Any needlessly-replaced A/C compressor will be returned to the dealer and the warranty
claim debited.
See TSB 2041717 before replacing the A/C compressor.

Warranty
Claim Type:

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

Service Number:

8737

Damage Code:

0010

Diagnostic Time:

Refrigerant drain+fill

8703 1700

50 TU

Noise dampening pan remove and reinstall

1082 1900

40 TU

N280 refrigerant regulating valve remove and
reinstall

8737 1950

20 TU

GFF

0150 0000

Time stated on
diagnostic
protocol
(Max 100 TU)

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

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 #2038023/7

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.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
Required Parts and Tools
Part
Number

Part Description

Quantity

VAS 5256

1

Breakout Harness
ROB134APF

1

Robinair A/C Service Unit
VAS 6337/1A

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

1

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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
Air Conditioning Flush Tool
VAS 6338/3

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 3
VAS 6338/12

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 12
VAS 6338/38

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 38

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
5Q0260839A

1

N280 Refrigerant Regulating Valve
G 052300A2

0.2

Oil for refrigerant compressor - Denso
G 052154A2

0.2

Oil for refrigerant compressor - Sanden

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2038023) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

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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.