Heater fan, AC
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 16
From: Brighton, MI
Heater fan, AC
Even at manual full tilt ("12") and outlet set to center dash only, there is not much air coming out of my 2012 Q7 TDI Prestige S-Line.
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 524
Likes: 137
From: Blind Bay BC Canada
When was the last time you changed the cabin air filter because if it is plugged up. Its not gonna move any air. Have you changed the actual heater fan. I found in mine, being 14 years old, It was getting tired and did not spin as fast. Change those 2 items and you should notice a higher volume of air moving. After taking care of that, Then look into your AC. The fan costs about 60 Canadian off Amazon and takes less than 20 minutes to change.
Last edited by Edzzed; Jun 8, 2026 at 01:25 PM.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 71
Even at manual full tilt ("12") and outlet set to center dash only, there is not much air coming out of my 2012 Q7 TDI Prestige S-Line.
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 37
I have had the same experience in our 2012. I've changed the cabin filter, on it's 3rd blower, no module faults. It's a bad design. If you have the prestige with 2nd row climate controls I hear it's better. I've thought of, but have never seen anyone offer an upsized blower and scroll wheel. If you come up with an effective solution...please share it!
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
Even at manual full tilt ("12") and outlet set to center dash only, there is not much air coming out of my 2012 Q7 TDI Prestige S-Line.
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
Do others have the same experience?
And worse, the air that come out is HOTTER than the outside air (AC not running; I don't like to use the AC unless it is really hot outside).
a) why is so little air volume/speed coming out of the vents? Has someone tried to upgrade (larger volume fan?)?
b) is assume the (no AC) air is getting hot since the piping is not insulated and/or too close to the hot engine bay? Is there anything that can be done? Or is the fresh air INLET sucking in hot engine bay air?
c) any suggestions to improve the situation?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 4,551
Likes: 1,450
From: USA - NM
The blower motor (front generally) does eventually fail on these. The variable resistor for the motor can also go bad, and if that occurs the motor don't run/no output, or may only work when you select specific speeds manually, etc.
Plugged cabin filter is unlikely if this just began out of the blue, but I change my filter annually anyhow...just for allergies.
If you verify the fan runs normally and changes speeds with manual control use of fan set speed, then suspect the doors aren't opening correctly, so the air just isn't routing properly. Need VCDS or similar if you want to activate and do a system blend doors test, etc., but just be sure to verify diagnostic scan / no faults exist, etc, before you go down any rabbit holes.
Plugged cabin filter is unlikely if this just began out of the blue, but I change my filter annually anyhow...just for allergies.
If you verify the fan runs normally and changes speeds with manual control use of fan set speed, then suspect the doors aren't opening correctly, so the air just isn't routing properly. Need VCDS or similar if you want to activate and do a system blend doors test, etc., but just be sure to verify diagnostic scan / no faults exist, etc, before you go down any rabbit holes.
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