What is the situation when the two middle air vents of the Audi A3 air conditioner do not blow air?
4 Answers
Audi A3's two middle air vents not blowing air is a normal phenomenon, and turning on the automatic mode can solve the issue. Below is relevant information about the Audi A3: 1. Power: The sedan version of the A3 is the same as the hatchback version, equipped with 1.4TFSI and 1.8TFSI engines. The 1.4TFSI engine has a maximum power of 90kW (122PS), and it is expected that the domestic version introduced in China will use the 96kW (131PS) power version of the 1.4TSI engine. The 1.8TFSI engine has a maximum power of 132kW (180PS). 2. Interior: The domestically produced Audi A3 will improve its overall interior craftsmanship quality, with touch-function instrument panels and soft high-quality materials being applied to the new generation models. According to the latest interior spy photos recently exposed, the existing three-spoke steering wheel design has been replaced, and the heating control buttons and eyeball-style air vents used in the new car have been canceled and replaced with a completely new design.
My Audi A3 had the same issue before - the two center air vents just wouldn't blow any air. Usually it's either the air distribution flap getting stuck (this little flap controls airflow direction, and when jammed, the center vents get no air), or the actuator motor controlling the flap failing. Sometimes small objects can block the air ducts too - last time my kid shoved a Lego piece in there. Also check if the vent switch was accidentally turned off - that little roller needs to align with the three-line icon. I later discovered that with automatic AC, switching the airflow mode from face-level to defrost and back can sometimes reset the system and fix it. If all else fails, you'll need to visit the dealership to check the wiring and climate control unit.
Having repaired several Audi A3s with this issue, there are basically four possibilities. First, it could be a faulty face vent mode actuator, which requires using a diagnostic tool to read the air conditioning module's data stream for detection. Second, there might be internal air leakage in the air conditioning unit, where aging seal strips on the partition cause air to escape from the sides. Third, the air duct deflector could be jammed by foreign objects; just last week, we removed an entire pack of tissues from one. The fourth possibility is less common but has been encountered—poor contact in the air conditioning controller buttons. It's recommended that the owner first try the MAX defrost mode; if the windshield vents work normally, it basically rules out a blower issue. Since checking requires removing the glove box, DIY is not advised.
Colleagues who drive the A3 often complain about this design flaw—the central vents are prone to malfunction. The core issue lies in the air distribution system. For dual-zone climate control models, the left and right sides are independently controlled. First, rule out software issues: restart the engine and simultaneously press and hold the air volume and temperature knobs for 10 seconds to reset. Hardware checks include inspecting the vent roller's locking mechanism, the resistance value of the air door stepper motor, and whether the air duct has become dislodged or flattened. You can remove the cigarette lighter cover to observe the movement of the air door linkage. A special reminder: avoid using chopsticks to poke the vents, as the plastic blades are extremely fragile. In most cases, replacing the flap motor is sufficient, and the part costs only around three to four hundred yuan.
