D3 S8 - bizarre HVAC button issue
 

OK, so here's a picture of my car's HVAC.

http://i63.tinypic.com/308hc8w.jpg

"Looks fine", I thought. I wanted to play with the settings for the solar sunroof, HVAC sync and centre air vent etc. Then I began to think something didn't quite look right compared to my last D3...

...there's no 'SETUP' button and no way to get into the setup menu! There's nothing in the manual about having the A/C button where mine is in the picture above. I also can't find another D3 for sale (facelift or otherwise) with an A/C button in place of the normal SETUP button and I even began looking at S6s and S5s to see if the control unit had been lifted out of another car. I also can't find anything online to do with this. Someone has played with the MMI before though as when it boots up, it shows the S6 splash screen instead of S8. Easy to change but makes me think what else has been tinkered with.

So I'm really stumped. Can anyone shed some light?

I found this unit on ebay.de which has the AC button. The date stamp on the rear is from 2009. Maybe it was swapped out at some stage.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/171427549087

http://s1.hierbilder.de/2014/08/20/HU7hY-4k4vKa.jpg

http://s1.hierbilder.de/2014/08/20/HU7hY-YtCato.jpg

Ah, good find. Strange though that the manual doesn't show the AC button anywhere throughout the whole book and I can't get into that SETUP menu. :Confused:

Maybe a 3G unit that's been dropped into a 2G car?

Hmm possibly. It's got AMI with DAB and Freeview etc., but the MMI knob doesn't have the directional button on top.

I've searched more and found a couple of late D3s (2009/2010) which have the AC button where the SETUP normally is.

That has to be the answer.

So how would one access the equivalent 'setup' menu without the designated button on the HVAC controls?

So what exactly does that button do when you press it Ollie?

Anything at all?

Well it seems to turn the AC on but the HVAC controls do seem to have a mind of their own. Press the passenger's air direction and the screen shows the driver's fan speed, and things like that. The small LCD screen in the HVAC unit always shows the correct setting when the corresponding button is pressed but it doesn't always relate to the graphic which comes up on the MMI screen.

If you do a full vcds scan it should report the part number for hvac and also report any coding issues causing problems. If it's anything like an mmi 3G+ retrofit to a 3G the coding is far from obvious

If you're missing functionality as well and the module is 'wrong' for the car I'd look to replace with a correct one

I just checked mine when I went to the shop, if the HVAC is off and you press the setup button or AC in your case it should swirch on the HVAC system but bring up the menu in the MMI I guess your not getting the menu?

Tried that and it just does AC. Nope, can't get into that HVAC menu at all

Funny, but I have none of those buttons on my D2 :Confused:...... Oh, sorry, thought this was a D2 thread ;)

Oops!! Need to get used to posting in the D3 section again :ROFL:

If an admin can move then please do.

Perhaps a chat with the previous owners will reveal what's gone on. For what its worth, looks to me like you need to try the unit with a setup button from someone who can make the temporary donation. Is this an easy swap?

Looks pretty straightforward to get at....

Seem to remember that there is component protection on the HVAC controls?

Moved +++

Place near me does component protection for a lot less than main dealers charge. From memory it's about £20 if you don't need anything else doing in terms of fiddling. I suspect if you actually had the part fitted by them that charge wouldn't apply either.

That's cheap. Who are they?

Camspec in Manor Royal, Crawley. They bought the kit earlier in the year :)

Thanks +++

That is worth knowing, Adrian.
My last CP was done by Swindon Audi for £60 on a Saturday but it was organised by Guy so was probably a special.

yes they normally charge £90 to end users at Swindon Audi +++

I contacted Audi about this issue. Their response is as follows:

"Just getting in touch about your enquiry on the dash from the other day. My warranty colleague has confirmed that your vehicle did have a control panel replacement carried out in its warranty days and we have cross reference the part that was replaced against the part on ETKA which shows the same part number on both. The suggestion that my parts manager made for a final way of putting your mind at rest about this one is for you to remove the panel to expose the part number on the back in order for us to do one more check and make sure that the panel matches the part numbers we have on the warranty claim.

I have been advised also that there is not more than one panel available for this reg, neither is there any supersession/modification to the parts."
__________________________________________

Looks like I'll be taking the panel out then to check its part number. The panel with heated seat buttons should be 4E0820043G. I can't find a part number anywhere for a control with 'AC' button. :Confused:

The bottom line is that the car is definitely missing the factory function of that 'SETUP' button which is preventing me getting into this menu. Quite critical at the moment as the centre vents are blowing a bit cooler than the outer vents so I assume the setting is turned right down:
http://i64.tinypic.com/iwr7kj.jpg

Sometimes the full Hardware number is available with a VCDS scan. The HW usually is the part number. Try a scan first before resorting to taking panels out.

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 043 B HW: 4E0 820 043 G
Component: KLIMAAUTOMAT 017 0450
Revision: 00000032 Serial number: 00000000106345
Coding: 0057465
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 1C373B69DFDF87C1927-8049

No fault code found.

Thats from my car with the setup button. Prefacelift

Matt posted a picture with the part number for the unit with AC button on the first page, but having looked through ETKA there seems to be quite a few different options mostly related to ventilated seats, massaging etc, A vcds scan should be enough to get a part number from it then you can speak to Audi about a replacement if it was them that supplied it incorrectly, List price is over 800 ��

Just for comparison, here is mine:-
2004 A8 D3 3.0TDI Pre facelift.

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 043 A HW: 4E0 820 043 A
Component: KLIMAAUTOMAT 016 0300
Revision: 00000025 Serial number: 00000000042459
Coding: 1067019
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: 1B35FB59DA40ADE6A3-804E

No fault code found.

Main difference is the suffix letter.

Seems very likely that the incorrect part was fitted at the time of the warranty claim which means Audi will have to sort it for free if you can prove it.
It would very unusual that it would have been replaced twice given that its a part that rarely gives trouble. Fingers Crossed.

Address 08: Auto HVAC
Control Module Part Number: 4E0 910 043 C
Component and/or Version: KLIMAAUTOMAT 017 0060
Software Coding: 0090365
Work Shop Code: WSC 00759
VCID: 1D37AF2FC4331CF6901-8048
Additional Info: 4E0910133 FHS H03 0070
Additional Info: Geraet 184863

Advanced Identification
Serial number: 00000000165003
Identification: BHB-001
Revision: 00000037
Date: 09.07.09
Test stand number: 0001
Manufacturer number: 0128
Misc.
Hardware number: 4E0 820 043 K
VCDS Info:
Labels: NONE

I am surprised Audi would ask you to remove and check a part.

Ask them nicely, to show you how to operate it, and if they can't, then let them resolve whatever the issue is. Presumably there was either a factory error or warranty replacement error (or both), but it should be working. Their job is to resolve this, not yours.
Audi have been super good with a couple of big jobs on mine, both well out of warranty.
They reupholstered the drivers seat which burnt though when the heater element failed. and they replaced the rear screen, for £300 from me. The original had leaked and stuffed the heater element.
Seems they care, so you might be treated kindly

Control Module Part Number: 4E0 910 043 C - This is the software of the unit. Generally Audi software follows the code xxx910xxx(x), or xxx035xxx(x)

Hardware number: 4E0 820 043 K - This is part number. Revision K, not G as Audi stated.

Hope they get it sorted for you.

Yep, it seems I have the unit which should be in a 3G car. Every car with 2G has the SETUP button; every car with 3G with directional hat button on the MMI wheel has the AC button.

I'm on ETKA and the part number for all units seems to be 4E0820043 followed by a letter. Getting a little confused now and I can't work out which letter I need lol :Confused: I've got 'K' at the moment which clearly isn't the correct unit...

Looking at the earlier posts on this thread:-
Here are the suffixes

Mine has A on both part numbers
Delboy has a B on one and G on the other.

I guess that means anything before G would work for you.

I think you need 4E0820043G Ollie. Del has the same unit and it's also what Audi stated should be there. It's also the unit for seat heating and without seat ventilation.

Will you try and get Audi to replace or just foot the cost yourself? Your current 'K' unit will be worth a bit on eBay.

Think Ollie has seat massaging which I don't so it wouldn't be a G if thats the case.

I don't have seat massage, only heating. I'll take it to Audi and see what their solution is, then tell them my findings. They want me to either strip it down myself or pay £60 per half hour for them to do it to check the installed part so hopefully they will be OK about it all.

If not, I'll buy a G unit off eBay and swap it. There are lots of European (Lithuanian in particular) units at good prices and in top condition so would there be any issues fitting a LHD part to a RHD car?

Well if you have no massage then its a G you need.

The only thing you would need to check upon fitting would be coding, but I think it would be a safe bet to use the coding thats in mine as a starting point.

Thanks Del.

Well Audi have confirmed by email that the warranty part fitted @ 34,141 miles by Isle of Wight Audi was 4E0919158D5PR :Confused:

That's the rear unit.