Electrical Smoke Billowing Out AC Vents
 

Well, the title sums it up.

While out last night, smoke blew out of the vents twice. It was thick and smelled electrical. So far, I have no warning lights and everything seems to work.

I suspect it's an actuator for an HVAC vent, since the smoke was so heavy in that particular system; but I'll scan for codes today and see if I find anything.

I have over 80k miles. Does anyone know if this is covered under CPO?

Here's what I got:

Wednesday,20,June,2018,08:20:01:18934
VCDS Version: Release 17.8.1 Running on Windows 8 x64
www.Ross-Tech.com

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4H0-820-043.clb
Control Module Part Number: 4H0 820 043 H HW: 4H0 820 043 H
Component and/or Version: Klima 4 Zonen H20 0110
Software Coding: 488120BEC8
Work Shop Code: WSC 02313 785 00200
ASAM Dataset: EV_AirCondiFront 001050 (AU64)
ROD: EV_AirCondiFront_001_AU64.rod
VCID: 2541810F24A8F06EC2-8070
2 Faults Found:

0378 - Coolant Circulation Pump
B10D0 04 [009] - Internal System Fault
Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 17
Reset counter: 223
Mileage: 108646 km
Date: 2017.01.21
Time: 18:03:06

Voltage terminal 30-Data: 14.2 V
Outside air temperature-Data: 12.50 °C
Interior temperature-Data: 25.00 °C

0379 - Supply Voltage Terminal 30 for Coolant Pump
B11D5 01 [008] - Electrical Failure
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 8
Mileage: 136245 km
Date: 2018.06.19
Time: 19:36:51

Voltage terminal 30-Data: 14.0 V
Outside air temperature-Data: 28.50 °C
Interior temperature-Data: 26.30 °C

As the scan suggested, the auxiliary coolant pump was faulty. This is located directly under the HVAC intake, explaining why smoke billowed in through the vents as it self-destructed.

I called the dealer and was told it would be covered under CPO. One day after dropping off the vehicle, I was informed by the dealer that the car's CPO warranty had expired a couple of weeks ago. I thought I was covered for longer, but was mistaken. It's 5 years from the original purchase date (not my purchase date). I wonder if they changed that over the years. It seems like my previous CPO's were covered longer.

I called Audi of America to see if they'd chip in for the repair (over $600), since the warranty was so recently expired. While on hold, there was an announcement about recalls for coolant pumps. I began to wonder... I inquired about it, but was told my car wasn't effected by the recall. I'm not even sure if it was the auxiliary pump the recall referred to.

AoA ended up covering the repair. I was a little (but pleasantly) shocked! They thanked me for my brand loyalty (this is my 5th CPO). It's this sort of thing that'll get me buying a 6th.

NICE! >sniff< I just love a happy ending!