
Audi A6 air conditioning failure may be caused by insufficient refrigerant, a dirty condenser, or moisture in the pipelines. Below are detailed explanations: Insufficient Refrigerant: Refrigerant loss primarily occurs due to leaks. If the car's air conditioning underperforms and resumes poor performance shortly after refrigerant recharge, attention is required. A relatively simple method to detect leaks involves observing the condenser surface through the grille for oil stains – this typically indicates condenser leakage. Dirty Condenser: During summer when air conditioning problems emerge, 4S shops often recommend radiator cleaning. The purpose of cleaning radiators and condensers is primarily heat dissipation. When cottonwood or willow catkins accumulate on the condenser, it can lead to engine overheating or air conditioning failure. During cleaning, always use compressed air first before water jets; otherwise, the opposite effect may occur, worsening AC performance and increasing fuel consumption. Moisture in Pipelines: The automotive AC system contains a receiver-drier designed to absorb moisture from refrigerant. When the desiccant becomes saturated, moisture can no longer be filtered out. As refrigerant passes through the expansion valve orifice, pressure and temperature drops cause moisture in the refrigerant to freeze at the orifice. This creates blockages, increases flow resistance, and ultimately prevents proper cooling.

My Audi A6 also had the issue of high water temperature and the AC not cooling before. It was probably a problem with the cooling system, like a broken radiator fan or a failed water pump, causing the engine to heat up quickly. Once it got hot, the compressor automatically shut off to protect the engine. At that time, I almost thought the car was going to be scrapped. Later, the inspection revealed that the thermostat was stuck in the closed position, preventing the coolant from circulating, which even stopped the fan from spinning. The AC not cooling was just a side effect. I suggest you pop the hood and check if the coolant level is sufficient and if the color is the normal red or green. If it’s low, top it up. If the fan isn’t spinning, the fuse might be blown—try replacing it. But don’t force the car to run, or the engine could blow up, which would be even more troublesome. Older cars can be quite annoying like this. I had a car-savvy friend help me fix it, and I remember it cost me around a thousand bucks at the time.

As a car enthusiast, when faced with high engine temperature and AC failure, I would troubleshoot step by step: First, check if the coolant level is within the marked range on the dipstick—if it's low, there might be a leak. Start the car and observe whether the fan is spinning; if not, it could be a relay or sensor issue. The Audi A6's electronic system controls both the fan and AC, and high engine temperature can easily trigger the safety mode, shutting down the compressor. Using an OBD tool to read fault codes is quick and accurate. Without a tool, inspect the fuses for the AC and cooling circuits in the fuse box. Occasionally, debris clogging the condenser can affect heat dissipation, leading to AC failure. Don’t overlook potential water pump issues—worn impellers can prevent the coolant from circulating. If the problem persists after initial checks, take it to a professional shop promptly to avoid engine overhaul.

High coolant temperature and non-functional AC is indeed a headache. My A6 had the same issue before - it felt like the engine was protesting. The most likely causes are a failed radiator fan motor or a clogged radiator. Without proper fan cooling, the compressor will shut down. Audi's system is quite smart - it protectively disables the AC when temperatures get too high to prevent engine overload. Get to a reputable shop quickly for a computer scan to read the fault codes and identify the root cause. Avoid tinkering with electronic components yourself as you might damage the control module. Just check the coolant level and listen for fan operation - it's simple. Driving without AC in hot weather is unbearable, so timely repair is crucial.


