Air blower dispersion intermittently malfunctioning - need some advise please! thanks

932 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by BPLondon, Apr 19, 2022

BPLondon

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2022 (Edited)

Hi All

I hope someone can help throw some light on this particular issue for me please.

I have an Audi S5 B09 2017 model, so far so good with little issues, however I have noticed that sometimes and only sometimes the air dispersion through the vents gets a little confused. For example - I jump in the car and turn it on, its a hot day so immediately I change the air flow to front dash air vents and up the speed with air conditioning on 'LO'.. Most of the time this will adjust accordingly and the air will flow as intended, however it does at times get confused and will block or shut all the air vents from allowing any air flow at all. I can hear the fan working behind the scenes but all vents are essentially blocked (despite all being opened on the air vents themselves). The only way I can allow air flow into the car would be to push the MAX button allowing air to flow onto the window screen, bizarrely it does also allow air to flow through the two nearest door vents (and I don't mean the window defrosting vents). To be honest I didn't know if this is a feature of the MAX button or whether this is part and parcel of the module and it's current state of confusion.

When this happens, I allow it to run for a little while before usually deciding to turn the car off and back on again thinking this may reset any issue with the module and it's air flow, however it's not worked to date and when I turn the car back on it's still in the same state. Usually I have to leave the car overnight before I can turn it on again and usually the whole system/module will work as normal again... Seems a little strange, and I can't quite put my finger on where the problem may be however as summer approaches its becoming more of a nuisance since it usually happens when it's needed most...

The below picture just highlights the controls and layout of my particular S5 model.

Any advise welcome, I imagine this is going to cost me to fix the problem, but before I get an investigatory check up with Audi themselves I wanted to see if anyone else has had similar problems with their air flow?

Thanks!

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Alex1990

· #2 · Apr 17, 2022

Sound like the actual flap motor maybe having intermittent issues working.

By the looks of it you've localised the front maintenance vents as the only issue yes?? What about the floor and side vents do they work as they should?

Double triple check as it's rare for all the flap motors to fail at once and if they are all then perhaps a module or coding issue.

Do you have access to a car scanner like Rosstech or OBDeleven?

A quick scan could potentially show you if there's an intermittent or opened circuit in the module or even the motors which will save you hassle indivuslly getting to.

~Alex

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BPLondon

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 17, 2022

Alex1990 said:
Sound like the actual flap motor maybe having intermittent issues working.

By the looks of it you've localised the front maintenance vents as the only issue yes?? What about the floor and side vents do they work as they should?

Double triple check as it's rare for all the flap motors to fail at once and if they are all then perhaps a module or coding issue.

Do you have access to a car scanner like Rosstech or OBDeleven?

A quick scan could potentially show you if there's an intermittent or opened circuit in the module or even the motors which will save you hassle indivuslly getting to.

~Alex

Thanks for your help mate, it sounded to me like it was something mechanical too and i wondered if the flaps were getting stuck or something as well. It would be good to know if there is a diagram of this system somewhere to view and understand it better, i really have no idea where things go to even hazard a guess where the flaps are behind the dash. I seem to think the air flow was being blocked from all vents, so included the footwell and rear too but i admit I didn't check these areas as much as i checked the front vents - next time it happens i'll double check. I think there are even vents under the seats too, right? for passenger footwell? maybe i'm wrong about that.. Unfortunately the manual doesn't shed much light on this system at all.

I don't have any of those scanners nor could i access one, however the first one seems pretty pricey, the second one you mention seems a bit more reasonable on Amazon. Is this something that would this help outweigh any potential garage cost if i can isolate the issue before hand, i guess if not really i should just get it booked in?

Thanks

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Alex1990

· #4 · Apr 17, 2022

Owning the scanner tool is ideal just because it'll open up far more doors and also more than anything it's cheaper in the long run than to get a diagnostics scan everytime which is circa £80-£90 a pop from the dealership.

Additionally the air flap motors location I'm unaware of. Not sure how much of the dash or even behind the glove box it is.

If someone on the forums can bring up the ELSA diagrams or work manuals that would be great.

~Alex

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SimonRoma

· #5 · Apr 18, 2022

I suggest that you dont throw money out of the window visiting the official "stealers", look for a good independent VAG specialist. And the Ross Tech thingie is GREAT, well worth the dosh.

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BPLondon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 19, 2022

Alex1990 said:
Owning the scanner tool is ideal just because it'll open up far more doors and also more than anything it's cheaper in the long run than to get a diagnostics scan everytime which is circa £80-£90 a pop from the dealership.

Additionally the air flap motors location I'm unaware of. Not sure how much of the dash or even behind the glove box it is.

If someone on the forums can bring up the ELSA diagrams or work manuals that would be great.

~Alex

So again it happened today and the air vents shut off so I checked every vent this time and found that none of them are working, except for when you push MAX then I get windscreen and two nearest door vents working with AC on.

I also realised that this vent issue only happens when AC is on, if I were to turn AC off, the vents all open up and air flows through.... strange huh?

I have also discovered that the long vent above the glove box is a working vent!? I've always thought it was just for show... but there is 'open' and 'close' function for this that I hadn't clocked before... seemingly though, whether open or close nothing comes out of it... just adding to the riddle, still don't fully understand what this particular vent is for, when there are so many others...

Have you heard of a diagnostic tool called CARLY? its a bit cheaper than the ones suggested before but looks good? Wanted to get your thoughts..

Diagnose and code your car

With the Carly app and scanner you can carry out diagnostics on your car, uncover odometer fraud or code your vehicle. Easy and at the push of a button on your mobile phone. One scanner for all car brands.

www.mycarly.com

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BPLondon

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 19, 2022

SimonRoma said:
I suggest that you dont throw money out of the window visiting the official "stealers", look for a good independent VAG specialist. And the Ross Tech thingie is GREAT, well worth the dosh.

Thanks mate, will do - I can see the Ross Tech looks great but can't justify that price ticket when it's something I don't really want to use or hopefully won't have to use that often! ha

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