A7 Cold Start Nightmare: PTC Heater Under Suspicion

Last month I experienced similar symptoms with my 2011 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI. The electrical fault in the PTC auxiliary heater caused significant cold start issues and increased fuel consumption. The heating system malfunction triggered multiple fault codes related to the electrical auxiliary heater. The root cause was a defective PTC heating element, which affected the engine temperature control during cold starts. This component is crucial for proper engine warm-up and HVAC system operation in cold conditions. The repair required: Complete diagnosis of the electrical system, Replacement of the PTC heater assembly, Reset of the engine control module, Testing of the entire heating circuit This is considered a serious issue since it affects: Engine warm-up efficiency, Fuel economy, Emissions control, Overall engine performance, Interior cabin heating The blower motor and temperature sensors were also tested during repair to ensure the entire system worked correctly. Would recommend having a specialized workshop perform a full diagnostic scan, as these symptoms typically indicate more than just a simple sensor issue.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the PTC heater issue. The symptoms do sound exactly like what I was experiencing with my cold start problems and high fuel usage. I got my A7 fixed at a different garage after the bad experience I mentioned. Since your repair seems to have covered all the crucial heating system components, would you mind sharing what the total cost was? Also curious if youve had any other issues pop up with the HVAC system since the repair was done?

Just got the repair bill last week, it came to 350 Euro for the complete PTC heater fix. The heating system is working flawlessly now, with perfect temperature control in all conditions. The cold starts are smooth, and fuel consumption has returned to normal levels. The electrical auxiliary heater replacement solved all the issues completely. Since the repair, the blower motor performs perfectly and the entire HVAC system maintains consistent temperatures. No fault codes or heating element problems have appeared in the weeks following the fix. Worth mentioning that proper diagnostics made all the difference, the new mechanic identified the exact heater repair needed straight away. The investment definitely paid off considering how much extra fuel I was burning before the fix. One tip: if you notice any temperature fluctuations or heating inconsistencies in the future, get them checked promptly to avoid more extensive repairs.

Thanks for the advice. After taking my A7 to a different garage, they confirmed it was indeed the PTC heater causing all the trouble. The repair cost me 420 Euro total, a bit more than expected but worth every cent. The new mechanic was much more thorough. They tested the entire heating system, checked all heating elements, and made sure the HVAC system was functioning correctly. The cold start problems disappeared completely, and my fuel consumption is back to normal. The heater repair took about 4 hours, but they also found and fixed a small wiring issue that the previous garage had missed. No more fault codes since then, and the engine runs perfectly even on cold mornings. Really glad I switched mechanics, the new one definitely knew what they were doing with these electrical issues. The car feels like new again, and I have peace of mind knowing the heating system was properly diagnosed and fixed.