Technical Service Bulletin
87 Air conditioning does not cool and / or compressor is noisy
87 15 65 2038023/4 July 2, 2015. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 87 number 15-61 dated April 23,
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

4

-

Revised Technical Background (Added image)
Revised Production Solution (Added images)
Revised Service (Completely revised)
Revised Warranty (Change to necessary SRTs)
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Added part)

3

4/23/2015

Revised Required Parts and Tools (Added required seal set)

2

3/30/2015

Revised header data (Added models and VIN breaks)
Revised Production Solution
Revised Warranty (Added models)

• 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.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
Technical Background
The condition may be 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.

Production Solution
Denso A/C compressors are currently being installed in
production, but installation of Sanden A/C compressors will
resume in the future (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), and
replacement of the entire A/C compressor is not necessary
in every case.

Figure 2. Denso compressor identification tag.

Figure 3. Sanden compressor identification tag.

Service
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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
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.
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.

© 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
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.
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”.

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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
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.
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.

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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
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 is found in
either area, the entire A/C compressor
must be replaced.

Figure 10. Corrosion in the N280 valve bore.
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.

Figure 11: Severe contamination at the N280 valve filter screen.

© 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
11. If 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.

Replace the air conditioning compressor, if necessary:
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.

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.

© 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
• 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.

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.

© 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
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:

0010

Labor Operations:

A3, S3, A3 Cabriolet 1.8 and 2.0 Gasoline Engines:
Refrigerant drain+fill

8703 1700

50 TU

N280 refrigerant regulating valve remove and reinstall

8734 9999

50 TU

-or- (if A/C compressor is necessary)
Refrigerant drain+fill

8703 1700

50 TU

A/C compressor remove+reinstall

8734 1915

110 TU

Front bumper cover remove+reinstall

6329 1900

90 TU

Receiver drier replace

8755 5565

70 TU

Expansion valve remove+reinstall

8770 1900

40 TU

Air conditioner clean

8701 2950

110 TU

Refrigerant drain+fill

8703 1700

50 TU

N280 refrigerant regulating valve remove and reinstall

8734 9999

50 TU

A3 2.0 TDI:

-or- (if A/C compressor is necessary)

Diagnostic Time:

Refrigerant drain+fill

8703 1700

50 TU

A/C compressor remove+reinstall

8734 1917

90 TU

Front bumper cover remove+reinstall

6329 1900

90 TU

Receiver drier replace

8755 5567

70 TU

Expansion valve remove+reinstall

8770 1900

40 TU

Air conditioner clean

8701 2950

110 TU

GFF

0150 0000

Time stated on
diagnostic

© 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
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 #2038023/4

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

ROB134APF

1

Robinair A/C Service Unit
VAS 6337/1A

1

Air Conditioning Flush Tool
VAS 6338/3

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 3

© 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
VAS 6338/12

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 12
VAS 6338/38

1

Refrigerant Circuit Adapter 38
5Q0260839A

1

N280 Refrigerant Regulating Valve
-or- (if A/C compressor is necessary)

© 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
G 052300A2

0.2

Oil for refrigerant compressor - Denso
G 052154A2

0.2

Oil for refrigerant compressor - Sanden
5Q0820803F Air conditioner compressor

1

4D0260749B Seal ring

1

4E0260749A Seal ring

1

8E0260749C Seal ring

1

4E0260749B Seal ring

1

5Q0898850A Set of round seals

1

5Q0298403A Drier insert with mounting parts

1

-or- (depending on condenser version)
5Q0298403B Drier insert with mounting parts

1

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.