Economy mode stuck on.. (any air con guru's?)

[A4.Rob]

So like the title says the econ button on the climate control unit just stays on and I cant get it to go off no matter what, so I'm not getting the ice cold air like I'm used to. Anyone else had this problem?

[vinny.dtw]

Probably a leak in the ac system somewhere. I had that occur when my condenser died.

[old guy]

So like the title says the econ button on the climate control unit just stays on and I cant get it to go off no matter what, so I'm not getting the ice cold air like I'm used to. Anyone else had this problem?

It can be a number of things. You really need to see if you have any underlying codes before you start messing with your AC without the proper tools. It could be a faulty high pressure switch, it could be extremely low on R134, it could be a clogged expansion valve, it could be a defective compressor. the ECON button is staying on to prevent the system from working until the defect is fixed.

[Dan1969]

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126893

[doublezero30]

mine is stuck on also....but i know the radiator for the A/C (whats the proper name for this?) is leaking. found that out 2 nights ago.

[[email protected]]

^^ Condenser.

[eg6siR]

greg, i had this issue as well, it was a faulty o ring letting the r134 leak out, so i fixed that, recharged the refrigerant and bam, cold as shit on ice!!

[doublezero30]

^^ Condenser.

thanks, was having a brain fart.

[A4.Rob]

I posted about this last week and for the past week or so the AC works and then doesn't work.

I will start up the car and am driving around, air is nice and cold and then eventually the econ mode goes on and stays on the rest of the drive. Sometimes I get in the car and econ mode is just stuck on right away and other times I will drive far distances and the air con works fine.


Its possessed.

[diagnosticator]

If the R134 charge pressure is to low, a pressure switch locks out the compressor, and the ECON mode is the only mode allowed. This is usually the result of a system leak.

[Allhailpoptart]

IIRC My A/C was acting crazy for a few weeks (ECON light was off and cold air, then light was on and no cold). When I finally pulled the codes with the vag-com I came up with:
Address 08 ************************************************** ****-
Controller: 8E0 820 043 L
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 1016
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 63351
1 Fault Found:
00819 - High Pressure Sensor (G65)
29-00 - Short to Ground

And now I'm in perma-ECON. I'm pretty sure it was signs of the sensor going bad. Just had the same issue with the coolant temp sensor, although it was more fun to watch the temp gauge dance than it was to not have a defroster...

Actually, while we're on the subject I should fix that this weekend...anyone know if it is possible to replace the high pressure sensor without depressurizing the A/C system or will I need to get it into a shop to have it de-pressurized? I'd prefer to do this myself but there's no way I'm messing with that system before asking questions. My old GTi bit me in the ass when I was working on its A/C once...

[Docta_Giacomo]

ECON mode was stuck on for me last summer. Ended up being a faulty a/c pressure sensor (aka pressure safety switch). Swapped it out in 10 min, and problem solved. The sensor is located on the driver's side of the condenser.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Audizine mobile app

[hightime80]

Necro bump time

[EuroxS4]

Sounds like you have high pressure switch that is leaking right through the connector.It can be easily change if you remove the driver side headlight.

[krazeedrivr]

Alternatively, check to make sure your rad and condenser fans are running correctly. If you don't cool your condenser, the pressure will rise until the compressor just won't run anymore and it will go into econ until you park and it cools off. Anyway, check that your fans are running first. With AC on LO while the car is running, it should force both the rad and condenser fans on. If its a faulty fan, or fan control module, then there are plenty of threads on that. I experienced the same thing early in the summer with my AC, and after I diagnosed the issue with the fans I replaced my fan control module, coolant sensor, and cooling fans, then no more AC issues.

[03 silverbullet]

Follow up question about the Econ mode being stuck on.

Does this also affect the heat from working on the driver side only ?

I can set the driver side to 79 and the air is cold, defrost is cold and with it being winter i need the heat to work on both sides.

[imnuts]

Follow up question about the Econ mode being stuck on.

Does this also affect the heat from working on the driver side only ?

I can set the driver side to 79 and the air is cold, defrost is cold and with it being winter i need the heat to work on both sides.

No, that is likely the temperature control motor that's bad. Prepare to be a contortionist to replace it if you DIY.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[03 silverbullet]

so you dont think it could be the control module under the driver seat ?

[EuroxS4]

so you dont think it could be the control module under the driver seat ?

NO

[03 silverbullet]

I scanned the HVAC none of the codes were AC sensor related, any other ideas why the ECON mode would stay on ?

Saturday, 17 November 2018, 10:19:17.

VCDS-Lite Version: Release 1.2

Control Module Part Number: 8E0 820 043 L

Component and/or Version: A4 Klimaautomat 1016

Software Coding: 00000

Work Shop Code: WSC 63351

VCID: 2A2781ABC5E7

7 Faults Found:

00727 - Potentiometer in Positioning Motor for Defrost Flap (G135)

30-10 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent

01809 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

41-00 - Please Register/Activate

01274 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

41-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent

00604 - Potentiometer Positioning Motor for Air Flow Flap (G113)

30-10 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent

00735 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

30-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent

00819 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs

07-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent

01312 - Powertrain Data Bus

79-00 - Please Check Fault Codes

[imnuts]

You should look up the codes better I think. Your ECON problem is probably due to 00819.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[Stump70]

Would a bad 219 relay cause the Econ to stay on?