LHD Car: Replacing evaporator vent temp sensor. A.k.a G263 sensor. Error code 00818.

I got around to replacing the G263 sensor the other day. On a RHD car, it's a full out dash job. More on that in this thread.

Tools needed:
A short torx 25
Socket wrench 8 mm and 10 mm.
To make things easier, a led headlamp. The ultimate headwear for a car enthusiast. Day and night.

Time needed: About an hour if it's your first time removing all these panels. I guess about half an hour if you have done it before.

Step 1
Get you cellphone or tablet. Download a nice podcast to keep you company. If there is no new episode of your favourite podcast, I highly recommend NPR Car Talk.

Step 2
Remove this panel. No tools needed, it's not clipped in place.
Before
G263-replacement-LHD-step-2.1.jpg
After
G263-replacement-LHD-step-2.2.jpg

Step 3
Remove the doorstep panel. Once again, no tools needed. Start from the back, grab it with both your hands and pull straight up.
Before
G263-replacement-LHD-step-3.1.jpg
After
G263-replacement-LHD-step-3.2.jpg

Step 4
Now we need tools (yay!). Remove the panel on the lower part of the console. The big panel to the right of your throttle pedal. You need to remove a screw, just right of you throttle. It's behind a cover.
Before
G263-replacement-LHD-step-4.1.jpg
The cover
G263-replacement-LHD-step-4.2.jpg
After
G263-replacement-LHD-step-4.3.jpg

Step 5
Remove lower dash panel, kick panel. This is held by two screws and the serviceklappe (I like some of the German words, they sound nice) opener. The serviceklappe is held with a t-connector. Also unclip the diagnostics port.
A screw
G263-replacement-LHD-step-5.1.jpg




Continued in next post...
 
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Step 5 continued
...and another screw
G263-replacement-LHD-step-5.2.jpg

Step 6
This where things start to get a little bit uncomfy. My way of doing this is, first taking my shoes off. Then putting the drivers seat all the way back and then folding it all the way. Then I take a well deserved nap, admire my disassembly, and get a cup of coffee. Give you girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife a kiss, tell them how much you love them (in absence of partner, use car). Then I lay down the wrong way on the seat with my head on the drivers floor. Some of the pictures are going to make most sense laying down this way.

We need to get some space, so remove the brake light switch cable so we don't mess it up, and then the air duct. The air duct is held in place by two plastic screws, use your short torx screwdriver. The screws won't come all the way out, so when you think you have screwed far enough, just pull them out. They are something like screw clips.
Brake light switch cable and air duct
G263-replacement-LHD-step-6.1.jpg
The air duct screw, the other one is opposite.
G263-replacement-LHD-step-6.2.jpg

Step 7
Last part to remove before the sensor! The sensor can be remove without removing this plate. But removing it is easy and makes accessing the sensor a lot easier. It's held by two 8 mm screws and two 10 mm screws.
G263-replacement-LHD-step-7.1.jpg

Step 8, final step!
All the way up there is your G263 sensor. Just unclip the cable and pull the sensor out. Halfway out you'll have to pull it a little bit downwards, since it's angled.
G263-replacement-LHD-step-8.1.jpg

Reassembly is just everything in the reverse order. Remember the coffee.



I hope this will help someone out there. It's not a very tricky job. Since english isn't my native language, some names of stuff might be incorrect. Just post a comment and I'll correct it.
Thanks guys!
 
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Thank you for guide. Today changed sensor and adding information how to check does the sensor works properly.

Bad (old) sensor:

IMG_0805.JPG

Good (new) sensor:

IMG_0808.JPG

Resistance value depends on temperature. Use this chart:

Screen Shot 2018-09-19 at 10.05.09.png


Also you can easily skip Step 4.
 
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Not sure that's it's a full dash out job on a RHD - I'm sure that Timmus said that he's done one without - hope so as mine needs doing ...
 
This is an excellent 'How To', just surprised it prompted no feedback in 2014.

A bit nit picking but in Step 2 that bit of trim does have two clips IIRC. Best to lever out at the top first and remove with an upward action or you are danger of breaking off the tab that acts as a joiner with the trim piece below.

Andy
 
Not sure that's it's a full dash out job on a RHD - I'm sure that Timmus said that he's done one without - hope so as mine needs doing ...

LHD is quite easy, although as these forums are mainly used by UK owners, this thread is quite quiet.

RHD isn't dash out though. I worked out the process a few years ago:

https://www.a2oc.net/community/inde...ature-sender-without-removing-the-dash.25007/

and with further refinements more recently:

https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/15-minute-g263-sensor-removal.30824/

regards

Andrew
 
Step 5 continued
...and another screw
View attachment 15135

Step 6
This where things start to get a little bit uncomfy. My way of doing this is, first taking my shoes off. Then putting the drivers seat all the way back and then folding it all the way. Then I take a well deserved nap, admire my disassembly, and get a cup of coffee. Give you girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife a kiss, tell them how much you love them (in absence of partner, use car). Then I lay down the wrong way on the seat with my head on the drivers floor. Some of the pictures are going to make most sense laying down this way.

We need to get some space, so remove the brake light switch cable so we don't mess it up, and then the air duct. The air duct is held in place by two plastic screws, use your short torx screwdriver. The screws won't come all the way out, so when you think you have screwed far enough, just pull them out. They are something like screw clips.
Brake light switch cable and air duct
View attachment 15136
The air duct screw, the other one is opposite.
View attachment 15137

Step 7
Last part to remove before the sensor! The sensor can be remove without removing this plate. But removing it is easy and makes accessing the sensor a lot easier. It's held by two 8 mm screws and two 10 mm screws.
View attachment 15138

Step 8, final step!
All the way up there is your G263 sensor. Just unclip the cable and pull the sensor out. Halfway out you'll have to pull it a little bit downwards, since it's angled.
View attachment 15139

Reassembly is just everything in the reverse order. Remember the coffee.



I hope this will help someone out there. It's not a very tricky job. Since english isn't my native language, some names of stuff might be incorrect. Just post a comment and I'll correct it.
Thanks guys!
Hi there!
I finally managed to change the G263 sensor to my LHD A2. It really looks more complicated than it actually is. Great guide! Thank you!
 
Step 5 continued
...and another screw
View attachment 15135

Step 6
This where things start to get a little bit uncomfy. My way of doing this is, first taking my shoes off. Then putting the drivers seat all the way back and then folding it all the way. Then I take a well deserved nap, admire my disassembly, and get a cup of coffee. Give you girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife a kiss, tell them how much you love them (in absence of partner, use car). Then I lay down the wrong way on the seat with my head on the drivers floor. Some of the pictures are going to make most sense laying down this way.

We need to get some space, so remove the brake light switch cable so we don't mess it up, and then the air duct. The air duct is held in place by two plastic screws, use your short torx screwdriver. The screws won't come all the way out, so when you think you have screwed far enough, just pull them out. They are something like screw clips.
Brake light switch cable and air duct
View attachment 15136
The air duct screw, the other one is opposite.
View attachment 15137

Step 7
Last part to remove before the sensor! The sensor can be remove without removing this plate. But removing it is easy and makes accessing the sensor a lot easier. It's held by two 8 mm screws and two 10 mm screws.
View attachment 15138

Step 8, final step!
All the way up there is your G263 sensor. Just unclip the cable and pull the sensor out. Halfway out you'll have to pull it a little bit downwards, since it's angled.
View attachment 15139

Reassembly is just everything in the reverse order. Remember the coffee.



I hope this will help someone out there. It's not a very tricky job. Since english isn't my native language, some names of stuff might be incorrect. Just post a comment and I'll correct it.
Thanks guys!
Thank you GuruX. You helped me make it easier to replace this sensor. Hats off!
 
After a mechanic ask me 400 € to change this sensor that I never saw or heard in my life.. I start doing some research about it and I found this EXPECTACULAR post!
Never did anything in my previous cars..... don´t know if its beginners luck, the detail you describe the procedure or a bit of both... but.. today after 2 months with my windows down in the motorway, I finally felt the cold breeze of my AC in my A2 with the widows up.

Thanks you to share you experience!!

Final cost: 22 € and 2 hs of work ( with stops )
 
G’day I’m also looking for this part and hoping I can change it myself as Audi wanted £900 plus part to fix it
 
Finally I had time to replace G263 sensor. I used Hella part. It looks like I have large hands, because I had quite a lot of trouble to get the second screw from the air vent out. Thank you @GuruX for this excellent guide.
My remarks:
- as already @Andrew stated, you need to be carefull not to brake the pin on the first panel removal, start at the top and after the pins are unlocked, move the panel up. The same goes with the second panel, which has the locking pin at the rear part of the panel
- I have also skipped the part 4 and have not removed the panel on the middle console
- on my car the metal plate (part 7) had also a bunch of cables connected with a plastic tie to it (see the photo below), which was also a pain in the ass to remove without braking it due to limited space

Here is also a video that I have made during the replacement of the sensor:
 

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