Update: Still no compressor, no car, no loaner
OK, it's been three weeks now. The dealer claims that the compressor is on backorder world-wide, and is coming directly from the manufacturer, bypassing Audi's inventory. Still no idea when it will show up, it could be "...a couple more weeks..."
They also won't give me a loaner. Three weeks ago they promised to call me as soon as someone brought one back, but nobody ever called. Now they give me a long story about how they have a hard time keeping track of the loaners, and they can't give me one anyway since I didn't buy my car from them.
I called AoA Customer Service and was told that after the repair was finally resolved, I could petition Audi for compensation for my car payment. Sounds like a delay tactic - they certainly didn't put any real effort into making sure I was a satisfied customer.
Labels: A/C Compressor Failure
A/C Compressor Failure
Strike Two!
Today I was driving along and realised that the vents were blowing outside-temperature air. Minutes later as I accelerated away from a traffic light there was a loud squeal, followed by a *pop* and a cloud of smoke and burning rubber smell, all in under 10 seconds or so. The battery light came on (indicating no alternator output). I pulled over into a parking lot and opened the hood... when the smoke cleared I could see the broken, smoking remains of the accessory drive belt and melted rubber residue sprayed all over everything near it. I called the dealer, who told me to call Audi Roadside Assistance.
About half an hour later a guy from a local towing company showed up with a flatbed. Since the car would run (electrical supply from the battery only) and I had pulled the remains of the belt out of the way, it could be driven up on the flatbed instead of being winched. In fact, I drove it up on the flatbed myself.
We went to the dealer and unloaded the car. At the service counter I got a series of unpleasant news:
- Mine was the second A3 this week (third recently) with a compressor failure
- No parts are available locally (the other A3s are still drivable while waiting for parts), it could be a week or more before the parts come in
- No loaners are available. At least not for another week (but I'm going out of town then, I need it now). They'll give me a ride to go rent a car at my own expense, though.... (I declined, and got a ride home instead.)
So, this is the second time in about 5000 miles
(the first was a coil failure at about 24,350; it's now at about 30,150) that the car has left me stranded. This is unacceptable.
Camera-phone photos...
Labels: A/C Compressor Failure
