[s-cars] A/C shutting down

[TOM GREEN]

> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 21:10:49 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Mike Claire <mclaire_us at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] A/C shutting down
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID: <20040723041049.14590.qmail at web40405.mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> I just took my new '93 S4 for a shakedown run to NYC
> and back (250 miles each way).  It was over 90 degrees
> and I got caught in 1 1/2 hrs of crawling traffic.
>
> The gauges indicated the car was running hotter than
> I'd seen it to date.  But it didn't look like it was
> overheating.  Then the A/C shutdown - I heard the
> compressor shut off.  I pushed the button to start it
> again - couldn't get it to hold.  It seemed like the
> computer was telling it not to run, so I shut the
> ignition off and re-started the car - A/C worked!  For
> about 5 minutes and then it shut down again.  This
> kept happening for 1/2 hr when the traffic opened up
> and the car cooled down a little.  A/C was fine for
> the next 4 hours until I got home.
>
> Is this a programmed safety override to keep the car
> from overheating?  It's not as if it was 130 degrees
> out.  I can't believe it would be designed to do this
> in 95 degree heat - what's the problem?
>
> Thanks
> Mike

Mike,

You have correctly diagnosed the operation of the a/c system.  Great, 
ain't it ?  Did the electric fan run at high speed before the shutdown 
?  Just keep the condenser clean and every thing in top condition and 
try to stay away from the stopped traffic.

Tom '95 S6