Michael Benno

I am curious to know if I can remove the relay (XVIII) and fuse (23) can be removed after I have removed the cooling air flap system from my 1998 S4.

Do these relays and fuse control anything else?




Second question, my understand is that the controller for the flaps is a combination controller for the cooling fans correct?

I just like minimizing :-)

dr bob

You can remove that relay if you don't want the flap motor to work, and suffer no other function loss.

Were it mine, I would leave the relay in place, and just remove, mark, and stow the fuse. Gains the same function, but avoids future head-scratching over what's supposed to be in that relay socket, and why it's empty. With the flaps completely removed this wouldn't do much for you, of course.


The flaps are in fact controlled by a shared flap-and-fan controller module, located under the cover next to the passenger's seat with the audio amp and such.

Michael Benno

Thanks for the confirmation Dr Bob.

G.P.

I found that my flap motor started running recently, so I removed the fuse, to stop the motor.
A couple of months later I heard a clicking noise from the C.E. panel, that turned out to be the flap motor relay, so I removed that also.
For two years prior to the flap motor starting to run, the cooling flaps were disconnected mechanically and cable tied open.
I may have developed a secondary issue that caused the flap motor to start running again (before I removed the fuse) but I have not had any issues after removing the fuse and relay.