2020-2022 Audi A/C Not Cooling: DTC P053000, P251500 TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 87 24 75 2068460/6 to address a common issue where the air conditioning system in certain 2020-2022 Audi models, including the Audi e-tron, fails to cool the cabin effectively. This condition may be intermittent.

This TSB, issued on May 10, 2024, supersedes previous bulletin Group 87 number 23-55 dated October 2, 2023. The update includes revised service information regarding sensor interchangeability and corrected warranty SRTs (Standard Repair Times).

Symptoms

Owners may notice that the air conditioning system does not cool the cabin as expected. This cooling issue can occur intermittently, making it difficult to diagnose without proper tools.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When the air conditioning system does not cool, one or both of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be stored in the Thermal management control unit, J1024 (address word 00C5):

Code	Description
P053000	Air conditioning system pressure sensor electrical fault
P251500	Refrigerant pressure sensor 2 electrical fault

Diagnosis

To diagnose this issue, technicians should first confirm the symptom of the air conditioning not cooling. Next, they will check the Thermal management control unit (J1024) for the presence of DTC P053000 or P251500. The underlying cause is often a failure of the sensor electronics, leading to a loss of pressure evaluation.

The TSB specifically identifies pressure sensors with base part number 4M0959603 and a build date before Calendar Week 31, 2021, as being at issue. These sensors are designated as G395 or G826 depending on their location in the refrigerant circuit. An improved sensor has since been implemented in production.

Important Warnings

Sensor Identification

The presence of a green dot on the sensor connector housing is not the sole definitive indicator of an improved sensor. While the green dot was initially applied in production for improved sensors, this practice was not continued indefinitely. Technicians must always check the sensor's build date, as this is the conclusive confirmation of its status.

Sensor Interchangeability

Pressure sensors with different part number indexes are not interchangeable. When replacing pressure sensors, all sensors being replaced must belong to the same part number index (e.g., all 'E' index or all 'J' index). Mixing different part number indexes will result in a LIN communication conflict.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair involves inspecting and potentially replacing the air conditioning pressure sensors. If the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms and DTCs, all pressure sensors in the refrigerant circuit with base part number 4M0959603 and a build date before Calendar Week 31, 2021, should be inspected and/or replaced. Each affected model may have between one and three of these sensors installed in various positions within the low- or high-pressure sides of the refrigerant circuit.

Technicians will inspect the markings on the sensor to determine if it has been previously replaced with an improved version produced after Calendar Week 31, 2021. A sensor with an 'E' index produced after Calendar Week 31, 2021, that has a laser marking on the aluminum housing (with or without a green dot) is considered the improved type and does not require replacement.

Required Parts

The improved part number for the pressure and temperature sensor is 4M0959603E. Depending on the vehicle, 1 to 3 of these sensors may be required.

Owner Action

If you own a 2020-2022 Audi model and are experiencing issues with your air conditioning not cooling, especially if accompanied by DTC P053000 or P251500, you should schedule an appointment with an authorized Audi dealer. This repair is typically covered under warranty for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, or for CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vehicles. If your vehicle is outside of warranty, this TSB serves as informational guidance.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11002147