2022 Audi A3 Starter/Generator Collection 27K4

Audi has launched a special parts collection program, identified by code 27K4, for the starter/generator in certain 2022 Audi A3 Sedan vehicles. This program, first published on November 21, 2023, and updated on March 7, 2024, is a proactive quality assurance initiative, not a recall. It aims to collect and analyze starter/generators from affected vehicles.

This program impacts 81 vehicles in the U.S. and involves the replacement of the starter/generator at no cost to the owner. Dealers were advised to ensure that all affected inventory vehicles have the 27K4 campaign completed before delivery to consumers.

Important Warnings and Owner Information

Owners should be aware of several critical points regarding this special parts collection program:

• Not a Recall: Audi explicitly states, "This is not a recall but, as explained below, we are doing this as part of a quality assurance initiative." Owners should understand this distinction, as the starter/generator in your vehicle is not recalled.
• Program Expiration: "Time is of the essence. Audi has a specific number of parts to collect under this program. Once this goal is reached, the program will end and no more replacements will be made." This means owners should act promptly to participate.
• Dealer Inventory: Dealers are required to complete this campaign on any affected vehicle in their inventory before it can be delivered to a consumer.
• No Wash/Loaner Claims: Dealers are instructed, "Do not claim wash/loaner under this action."
• Pre-existing Conditions: "Diagnosis and repair of pre-existing conditions in the vehicle are not covered under this action." Any issues unrelated to the starter/generator replacement will not be covered by this program.
• Improper Repair: "Damages resulting from improper repair or failure to follow these work instructions are the dealer's responsibility and are not eligible for reimbursement under this action."

Symptoms

This special parts collection program is a proactive measure by Audi and is not initiated due to specific reported symptoms or fault codes. The document does not list any owner-perceptible symptoms or diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) associated with the need for this 2022 Audi A3 starter/generator replacement.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

For technicians, the process begins with verifying the vehicle's eligibility in the ELSA Campaigns/Actions screen, ensuring the status shows "open" for the 27K4 campaign. Before any replacement, specific measured values from the Engine Control Module (ECM) must be read out and recorded. This includes the historical start/stop history of the vehicle.

Technicians will use self-diagnosis to check ECM measured values, specifically filtering for "starts" to capture data such as:

• "[IDE02756]_Number of manual engine starts"
• "[IDE02757]_Number of automatic engine starts"
• "[IDE11533]_Starter generator, number of first starts"
• "[IDE11531]_Starter generator, number of restarts"

These printouts, along with the Campaigns/Actions screen from ELSA, are mandatory for documentation and must be enclosed with the returned starter/generator. As an additional backup, technicians should check the same measured values using Guided Fault Finding and send the log to GFF Paperless.

Repair Procedure Summary

The core of the 27K4 program involves replacing the starter/generator. The repair procedure is outlined as follows:

1. Check Previous Repair Status (Section A): Technicians must enter the VIN into ELSA and navigate to the "Campaign/Action" screen. They must confirm the 27K4 Campaign/Action status is "open." If the status is closed, no further work is required. Any outstanding safety recalls must be completed prior to this campaign.
2. Read Out ECM Measured Values (Section B): The historical start/stop data and measured value block information must be read from the ECM. Technicians will filter for "starts" in the self-diagnosis to collect values like the number of manual and automatic engine starts, and starter generator first starts and restarts. These results, along with a printout of the Campaigns/Action screen from ELSA or Elsa2Go, must be printed and retained.
3. Replace Starter/Generator (Section C): The starter/generator is replaced according to the detailed instructions found in the ELSA Repair Manual. Technicians should refer to the section: "Electrical System > Electrical Equipment > 27 Battery, Starter, Generator, Cruise Control > Generator > Generator, Removing and Installing > Starter Generator C29, Removing and Installing, 2.0L TFSI, (0K4)." This procedure involves removing and reinstalling the cooling fan housing and the generator itself.
4. Campaign Completion Stamp (Section D): Once the replacement is completed, the technician should stamp the repair order to confirm the campaign has been performed in strict accordance with applicable Audi repair procedures.

Required Parts

To complete the 27K4 special parts collection program, the following parts are required:

• 06Q-903-018: ALTERNATOR (Quantity: 1). This part is ordered via "VIN to Order."
• N-912-045-01: SCREW (Quantity: 4). These screws are managed by "Free Order."

There is no initial parts allocation; dealers must use the Repair Projection Tool to view their potential VIN population. Packing materials are also required, with an allowance of up to $10.00.

Warranty Information

Claims for this special parts collection program use Service Number 27K4 and Damage Code 0099. The Parts Vendor Code is 002. For sold vehicles, the Claim Type is 7 10, and for unsold vehicles, it is 7 90. The causal indicator for the claim is the ALTERNATOR.

Labor operations and time units are as follows:

Labor Op	Time Units	Description
0150 00 99	10	Read out measured values
1920 19 33	SEE ELSA	Cooling fan housing remove+reinstall
2722 19 83	SEE ELSA	Generator remove+reinstall

Mandatory Parts Return

All starter/generators replaced under Special Parts Collection 27K4 must be returned to a designated inspection facility. Claims are subject to cancellation if removed parts are not returned or are improperly returned. Claims will be cancelled if the requested starter/generator is not received or in-transit with FedEx by the request expiration date. Dealers must use the Warranty Parts Portal to obtain the FedEx shipping label.

Crucially, the start/stop data printout and the Campaigns/Action screen printout from ELSA must be enclosed with the returned starter/generator. The starter/generators must be packaged carefully, using bubble wrap, to prevent damage during transit.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022 Audi A3 Sedan and believe your vehicle may be part of this special parts collection program, you should contact an authorized Audi dealer at your earliest convenience. The 2022 Audi A3 starter/generator replacement is performed "FREE of charge" and typically takes "about half a day to complete." However, dealers may require additional time for preparation and scheduling. Audi emphasizes that the program has a limited scope and will end once a specific number of parts have been collected, so prompt action is advised.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10251667