Get General information on air conditioning systems -> Safety measures for working on vehicles with air conditioning system and for handling refrigerant R134a Guide for Audi A2 SUV 1999-2005

Audi 100 1991 ➤ , Audi 80 1992 ➤ , Audi A1 2011 ➤ , Audi A1 Sportback 2 ...

Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a - Edition 11.2018

Sealing empty vessels

Empty refrigerant vessels must always be sealed to prevent mois‐

ture from entering. Moisture can cause steel vessels to rust. This

weakens the vessel walls. In addition, any rust particles which

enter refrigeration systems from storage vessels will cause mal‐

functioning.

2.14

Safety regulations for working with ex‐

traction and charging systems

•

Before connecting the charging system to the air conditioning

system, ensure that the shut-off valves are closed.

Before disconnecting the charging system from the air condi‐

tioning system, make sure the charging process has been

completed to prevent refrigerant escaping into the atmos‐

phere.

•

Once the purified refrigerant from the charging system has

been transferred to an external compressed-gas cylinder,

close the hand shut-off valves at the cylinder and charging

system.

•

Do not expose the charging system to moisture or use it in a

wet environment.

Disconnect from power supply before performing service work

on the charging system.

An extension cable should not normally be used because it

can increase the fire hazard. If the use of an extension cable

is unavoidable, the minimum cross-section should be 2.5

mm .

•

In case of fire, remove external cylinder.

If any oil from the air conditioning system is drawn off by the

suction unit into the measuring container provided, it must be

subsequently transferred to a sealable container, as it con‐

tains a small quantity of refrigerant, which must not escape

into the environment.

•

Following shutdown, the air conditioner service station must

be secured to stop it rolling away.

2.15

Safety measures for working on vehi‐

cles with air conditioning system and for

handling refrigerant R134a

Vehicles with high-voltage system (hybrid vehicles)

High voltage! Danger to life!

The voltage levels in the high-voltage system constitute a safety

hazard. Danger of severe or fatal injuries from electric shock if

high-voltage components or high-voltage wiring are damaged.

– Carry out visual check of high-voltage components and high-

voltage wiring.

– Never use cutting/forming tools or other sharp-edged imple‐

ments.

– Never perform work using welding, brazing, thermal bonding

or hot air.

Rep. gr.87 - Air conditioning system

Audi 100 1991 ➤ , Audi 80 1992 ➤ , Audi A1 2011 ➤ , Audi A1 Sportback 2 ...

Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a - Edition 11.2018

Risk of injury - engine may start unexpectedly

It is difficult to determine whether the drive system of an electric

vehicle or hybrid vehicle is active. Moving parts can trap or draw

in parts of the body.

– Switch off ignition.

– Place ignition key outside vehicle.

Risk of damage to high-voltage wiring

Incorrect handling may result in damage to the insulation of high-

voltage wires or high-voltage connectors.

– Never use high-voltage wiring or high-voltage connectors as

a support.

– Never prop tools against high-voltage wiring or high-voltage

connectors.

– Never bend or kink high-voltage wiring.

– Pay attention to coding when connecting high-voltage con‐

nections.

For all work on vehicles with high-voltage system, note additional

warnings for working on such vehicles

⇒ “1 Warning instructions when working on vehicles with high-

voltage system”, page 1 .

Risk of injury if auxiliary air conditioner is activated

On electric and hybrid vehicles, the auxiliary air conditioner can

switch itself on if it has been activated. The radiator fans can start

up automatically and trap or draw in parts of the body.

– Deactivate auxiliary air conditioner.

Vehicles with start/stop system

Risk of injury - engine may start unexpectedly

The engine can start unexpectedly if the vehicle's start/stop sys‐

tem is activated. A message in the instrument cluster indicates

whether the start/stop system is activated.

– To deactivate the start/stop system, switch off the ignition.

2. General information on air conditioning systems

Audi 100 1991 ➤ , Audi 80 1992 ➤ , Audi A1 2011 ➤ , Audi A1 Sportback 2 ...

Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a - Edition 11.2018

All vehicles

WARNING

Danger of asphyxiation, frostbite and poisoning from escaping

refrigerant

Injury risk due to escaping refrigerant

♦ Danger of asphyxiation from displacement of surrounding

air

♦ Danger of frostbite (or risk of cryogenic burns due to evap‐

oration of liquid refrigerant)

♦ Danger of poisoning from products of decomposition

Precautionary measures

•

Work may only be performed on the refrigerant circuit of

an air conditioning system in well ventilated areas.

•

Ensure good ventilation when handling refrigerant and

working on the refrigerant circuit (exchange of air at least

once per hour in workshops and 3 times per hour in low-

level areas (e.g. inspection pits). Switch on workshop

exhaust extraction system.

•

Vessels and devices containing refrigerant must only be

stored in well-ventilated areas (e.g. not in cellars or near

cellar entrances).

•

Never inhale escaping refrigerant vapour.

Wear suitable protective gloves and safety goggles when

handling refrigerant and working on the refrigerant circuit.

•

It is advisable to keep an eye bath to hand.

Work may only be performed on the refrigerant circuit of

an air conditioning system in well ventilated areas. Switch

on workshop extraction systems, if available.

•

Refrigerant must not be stored in low-level areas (e.g. cel‐

lars), including the areas around the exits and windows.

First aid

•

Anyone who accidentally inhales concentrated refrigerant

vapours must be removed from the hazard area and

placed in a lying position in the open air immediately. Keep

the person concerned warm and calm. Perform artificial

respiration in the event of breathing difficulties (administer

oxygen if necessary). If the person affected is having great

difficulty breathing or is not breathing at all, tilt back head

and administer artificial respiration. Consult a doctor.

•

Should liquid refrigerant come into contact with the eyes,

rinse them thoroughly with water for about 15 minutes.

Then administer eye drops and consult a doctor immedi‐

ately even if no pain is felt.

•

Never attempt to administer liquids through the mouth of

an unconscious person. Consult a doctor if the symptoms

persist or in any cases of doubt.

The doctor must be informed that the frostbite was caused

by refrigerant R134a. Should refrigerant come into contact

with other parts of the body even though the safety pre‐

cautions have been observed, these areas must also be

rinsed with cold or lukewarm water immediately for ap‐

prox. 15 minutes.

Rep. gr.87 - Air conditioning system

Audi 100 1991 ➤ , Audi 80 1992 ➤ , Audi A1 2011 ➤ , Audi A1 Sportback 2 ...

Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a - Edition 11.2018

•

Following accidental contact with eyes or mucous mem‐

branes, immediately rinse with copious amounts of run‐

ning water and consult an eye specialist.

In the event of skin contact, immediately remove wet cloth‐

ing and rinse the areas of skin affected with plenty of cold

or lukewarm water (never use hot water). Consult a doctor

in the event of frostbite.

Note

♦ Refrigerant has virtually no perceptible smell and therefore

cannot be noticed.

♦ Refrigerant gas is heavier than air and accumulates in low-

level areas such as inspection pits, cellars and hollows, where

it displaces the ambient air and thus the oxygen. Staying in

areas where the air has a low oxygen content is potentially

fatal.

♦ Liquid refrigerant escaping from a leak (or similar) evaporates

at an ambient pressure of approx. 1 bar at around -29℃. If the

refrigerant evaporates on the skin, it will cause frostbite or

cryogenic burns. Sensitive parts of the body such as the eyes

are particularly at risk. Large-scale cryogenic burns are po‐

tentially fatal.

♦ Refrigerant decomposes if it comes into contact with a flame

or a hot surface. Danger of poisoning if toxic products of de‐

composition are inhaled. A pungent odour indicates that prod‐

ucts of decomposition have already formed. Do NOT inhale

these substances, otherwise the respiratory tract, lungs and

other organs could be damaged.

♦ The specific hazards associated with refrigerant and the sub‐

stance data etc. can be found in the safety data sheets. Safety

data sheets for refrigerant, refrigerant oil etc. can be found in

“Audi ServiceNet.”

♦ The following procedure is an example of how to access the

“Audi ServiceNet”. Depending on the country, the procedure

may also appear in a different portal or in a different submenu.

For precise details on how to find the “Safety data sheets” in

the dealer portal, follow the instructions provided on the “Audi

Partner Portal” or on “Audi ServiceNet”.

Example of how to search for the safety data sheets in the “Audi

ServiceNet” ⇒ table

– Select path:

Audi ServiceNet

Handbooks

HSO

Environmental protection

Safety data sheets

Safety data sheets and operating instruc‐

tions

– Select the range criteria.

– Enter the data on the material master (e.g. the part number or

trade name).

Welding, brazing and soldering work must not be performed on

components of air conditioning system when charged. This also

applies to welding and soldering work on the vehicle if there is a

2. General information on air conditioning systems

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General information on air conditioning systems -> Safety measures for working on vehicles with air conditioning system and for handling refrigerant R134a for Your Audi A2 SUV 1999-2005

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