A8 Air suspension light is on

[zipzz]

Hi, I am a newbie to the forum and hoping all the collective expertise of the readers can help me. I have a 2008 A8 whose Air supension/Level control light has come on "Amber" and stays like that. I ran the VAGCOM diagnostics and got the following errors. After clearing the errors, the 01770 disappeared but the light remained on, and the 00668 was still there.

Any ideas what could be wrong? History wise I have had some issues with electrics - a humming (annoying) rear speaker which did not go away even after replacement. The car went through an MOT two days ago and required a wheel change in my absence. If they hadnt used Jacking mode, could that have caused the problem?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 34: Level Control Labels: 4E0-910-553.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 553 L HW: 4E0 907 553 H
Component: LUFTFDR.-CDC H07 6340
Coding: 0015510
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200

2 Faults Found:
01770 - Temperature Sensor for Level Control Pump/Compressor (G290)
007 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100111
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 168
Mileage: 65895 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.04.11
Time: 07:45:22

00668 - Supply Voltage Terminal 30
009 - Open or Short to Ground
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11101001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 106
Mileage: 65919 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.04.11
Time: 22:55:47

[baylissboy]

I've had a couple where the relay sticks & causes the compressor to run until it seizes, there's a TPI for it. If that's the fault you'll need a relay, fuse & compressor, all of which will add up to a small fortune.

[zipzz]

Thanks baylissboy...fingers crossed. I would have opened the dashboard to check the fuse and relay - but dont have the confidence. Taking it to st**lers Tuesday. I hope its just the fuse/relay and not the pump itself which has burnt out.

[zipzz]

Funnily enough when after reaching home yesterday when I switched off the car, and walked around it - I heard a noise like it was coming from a compressor but at the rear-near-side of the car close to the boot.

Isnt that the location of the air reservoir for the Adaptive system?

I am foxed as to why it should sound like a compressor and whether this means my pump is functioning ok?

The car also seems to be at raised level although I have no means of verifying this since in the MMI - the raise position is greyed out. The Comfort, Dynamic, Authomatic positions are available - however selecting any of them doesnt seem to make any difference.

Any ideas where the relay/fuse for the compressor might be? I thinks its the driver side footwell but not sure how to get to it?

[zipzz]

Solved - I did some more digging on various websites and looked through the MWBs for the Air-suspension module. The 00668 terminal 30 open was basically due to a blown 40A fuse for the Air suspension compressor. To access it one has to remove the lower A-pillar door trim on the passenger side`(no tool required, this can simply be pulled out by hand), roll back the carpet and look in the footwell. There is a big orange fuse which cant be missed. Cost me 3 quid to change. I changed the air-suspension relay as well while everything was opened up. That was 10 quid.

Saved atleast 170 in diagnostic charges of the dealers. Possibly more - because they could have easily come up with a "we need to replace the pump".

Thanks everyone and hopefully this thread can help some poor soul in the future.

A few websites which are really helpful to access circuit diagrams and other details are:

http://www.audi-portal.com/en/diagnostic/ecu.html‏ (http://www.audi-portal.com/en/diagnostic/ecu.html‏)http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/index_eng.php/‏

[GlynC]

Hi
My A8 has demonstrated the same symptoms today
I checked the small 10amp fuse in the fuse box and that was ok so I took out the carpet and found the 40amp fuse to be blown. Managed to get a new one from Halfords and fitted that. Checked and everything was working.
After a quick test drive the light came back on ??
I haven't looked any further as the lights fading.
Any ideas ..possibly this relay Zipzz mentioned, Do you have the part number matey? Or is it just a case of visiting the dealers? Where is that located ?
I don't have any noises from anywhere and the suspension was running fine before today when it just packed up as I set about my return journey from Sheffield
Cheers
Glyn

[a8 tech]

the relay output contact bridges and cause the pump to run to destruction but hopefully the fuse protects the pump

replace the relay and fuse but be preprepared to replace the pump if the fuse blows again

[GlynC]

Thanks
I am hoping the pump is ok as it worked ok on the drive and I tested raising and lowering the car with no issues. The fuse went again when I popped out for a quick test drive.
Is the relay nearby the fuse location and easy enough to change?
Cheers
Glyn

[zipzz]

The relay is in the same location as the fuse...under the carpet. There are a few fuses and relay's in this location - the airsuspension one is the bottom most right under the orange fuse. You can see a diagram on erWin - I dont have it at the moment. Its called the J403 relay...Audi parts should be able to supply you one easily.

[GlynC]

Cheers Zipzz
Much appreciated I will head to the dealer tomorrow
Many thanks

[GlynC]

Spoke to local dealer
new relay on order for £13
New compressor £1084 supply only
How in gods name do they justify that, these cars are definately worth less than the sum of their parts!:aargh4:

Fingers crossed the relay might do the trick but knowing my luck :zx11:

[dragondownsouth]

Hi All,

Same happened to me over the weekend, I'm just hoping that it's just a stuck relay and fuse.

I've had a quick look in the passenger footwell for the fuse and relay but can't see anything......any tips on how far back I need to pull the carpet and is the fuse in the floor or at the side?

Many Thanks, Carl.

[GlynC]

Hi Carl
You need to pull the Carpet and soundproofing back to the middle of the footwell. The relay is located in the middle set in a channel you won't miss it when you see it. There is a wiring channel which runs down the middle of the footwell.
I hope for your sake it's the relay as the compressor is a big expense and fun to fit. I did my own so it is possible if you have a reasonable set of tools and some patience . Plus you need to use a new relay anyway. My compressor worked again for a while (two minutes) with the change of relay but I noticed a burnt electrical smell which was from the compressor and I evidenced again on the removal of the unit?
Best of luck
Glyn :D

[dragondownsouth]

Glyn,

Thanks for the quick reply, I will have a proper forage tomorrow and get the parts ordered. Hopefully I can get it sorted over Christmas!

Cheers,

Carl

[snapdragon]

So for the sake of £13, it might be prudent for an A8 owner to replace this relay as it gets older anyway?

[dragondownsouth]

Well, Bought a fuse and relay today and managed to find the wiring thanks to Glyn's advice. Fuse was blown which gave me a glimmer of hope and replaced relay to find suspension going up:biglaugh: and no nasty noises.

Drove a mile down the road and amber light back on followed closely by the green (low) light :zx11:. Fuse still good so I suspect the pump is gone or ecu playing up.

Will try hot-wiring it over the weekend before splashing out on a new one. In the meantime, i will just pretend I'm driving an EVO.

IF anyone is interested, the fuse location is the big orange one in the picture (40amp).15336

[dragondownsouth]

Took a look at the compressor today, put a fused 12 volts directly to it and not even a groan! It must have burnt out inside :angryfire.

I'm going to have it properly diagnosed, just in case something else has led to the failure eg, leaky shock absorber, I assume the dealership can tell me that!

If it's just the compressor I will probably have a go myself although it does look a bit of a fiddly job. Fortunately, there's a cracking set of instructions on one of the forums, Glyn?

[dragondownsouth]

Final Update.........Took it to the main dealers, no other faults found aside from Pump being Kaputt!!. Initial repair bill quote was similar to others in in forums but asked for goodwill. Audi refused but dealer offered a SIGNIFICANT discount based on local service history.

In the end, everyone's a winner, I get the suspension back for less than the dealer parts price, and the local dealer get guaranteed continued service business (I drive 50k per year!)

As Snapdragon says......for the sake of £13, all A8 D3 owners should take the time to change the relay themselves....., it only takes five minutes and you don't even need any tools!!

[loadz]

Is the relay located in the same place as the fuse? (2008 A8)
ive had my light come on a couple of times and have bought a really,I've had the carpets up and can find the fuse(it's ok) just can't see the relay!!
cheers:)

[loadz]

Think I've found it!! There's a relay behind the fuse. Mine is numbered 373. I've goggled and it comes up as air suspension relay. Hoping it's just a new part number. Dealer supplied relay based on j403 mentioned in this thread. I've replaced it......let's see what happens!!!:confused:

[dragondownsouth]

Hi, glad you fount the relay, its not far from the fuse from memory. Did you get the fuse from audi and tell them what it was for as i had originally tried a vw relay with the same part number to later find that audi have upgraded the relay.

[schulzs25]

Hey guys, I'm kinda new to this. I have a 04 A8l and I have some issues with my suspension. Both the amber and green light flash for a little bit when I start my car. The compressor pumps fine but the suspension does not lift at all. The options on the mmi grey out after a couple seconds. I have not detected any leaks so far. I'm totally lost as to what to do next.
I took the car to the dealer awhile ago and after charging me $140, all they came up with was left frt level sensors ($760, which I didn't do), they couldn't establish any comunication with the canbus module and also that they needed additional time to further diagnose.
I changed the level sensor by myself but that didnt make a difference.

I would appreciate any ideas and help from anyone that knows what the problem is!! Thank you so much.

[wjperdue]

I have this same issue. What was your solution? Thanks

[kevstearn]

Hi,

Audi A8l 2007 with similar problem, any help appreciated......

Green warning light came on, took car to Audi for diagnostics, surprise surprise, needs compressor.

Booked the car in, 4 days before appointment green light goes off!

Worked fine for 3 months then green light comes back on again

Decided to wait to see if the light goes out again and suspension starts to work

Today, after the green light has been on for a month, light goes out and suspension works

So, any ideas what it might be? is it anything to do with the relay? loose wires?

Thanks