Oh blimey, the plot thickens then! I have a contact at a SEAT dealer so will get him to look back through the entire warranty history as I don't have 100% confidence at the moment in the lady I've been conversing with by email.

Well it looks as though I've hit a buffer. For whatever reason, only the rear unit was replaced under warranty so why the front panel has been swapped is a mystery but it's obviously been done privately and not through Audi. I have very extensive paperwork and history (all of it Audi) for the car but there's nothing about a new front HVAC panel in there.

Here's the warranty details for when the rear panel (4E0919158D5PR) was changed:
http://i67.tinypic.com/2s9l3.png

Component Protection should have kicked in on the front unit. I wonder if that database is searchable? Would be able to get a date and workshop when CP was removed.

Time to buy one of the Lithuanian units.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OEM-AUDI-A...gAAOSwuTxWA8Da


Tiny bit of damage on the right hand knob (maybe I could swap the knobs?) but otherwise in great condition the seller said, so I think I'll buy this 'G' unit, swap them and see whats what.

New panel fitted (piece of p!ss)... component protection active :mad:

http://i67.tinypic.com/dfjf28.jpg

Surely if Audi put the wrong panel in then they should at least remove the CP for free? :Confused:

Apparently Audi replaced the rear unit, not the front.

But try and wing a free CP removal +++

Yeah, it would seem that the panel replaced under warranty in the past was the rear HVAC panel for whatever reason. :Confused:

So why the front panel has also been changed at some point is an even bigger mystery.

If you want, http://www.audivwsc.co.uk/diagnostic-equipment can remove CP for a few notes. If you plant any more retrofits, and can wait, you can get them all done at the same time for the same price as the process remove CP from all controllers rather than specific ones.

Camspec in Crawley can also remove CP for a nominal fee

Quick update. All works fine now since Audi removed the CP and coded it after I fitted the used panel with 'Setup' button I bought.

Have pm'd you regarding the old pannel +++