Air Suspension problem

**careless_adi** · 07-07-2014,09:57 PM

Hi all,

I've had my 3.0 TDI for over a month now and I'm loving it! However, the air suspension has played up a little tonight.

When I test drove the car the air suspension was fine. It was on 'comfort' so I put it up to 'lift', down to 'dynamic', back up to 'lift' to test the cycle. It worked fine. I noticed a green dashboard indicated telling me when air was being pumped into the suspension.

After I bought the car I went to a horse show and had to drive over uneven terrain at the beginning of last month so put it to 'lift' and went up no problems. Again, I got the green 'pumping' light on the dashboard. Immediately after leaving said horse show I then set it to 'comfort' and have left it there since.

This evening, I drove to Gatwick and back (about 45 mile round trip), and when I pulled over to let my other half out of the car to pick up a takeaway in our home town, the orange air suspension light came on the dashboard. I hadn't fiddled with the suspension settings. So I turned the ignition off and back on and the light went away. The MMI showed that I'm still in 'comfort' mode.

When we got home I tried setting the suspension to 'lift' and I all I get, after a minute or two, is a greyed out air suspension settings in the MMI and the orange light on the dashboard. No green 'pumping' light on at all.

I don't want to set it to a lower setting in case I can't pump the suspension back up! I've driven the car for about 500 miles since buying it and not once has this happened before.

One thing to note - I had AMI fitted in the car 2 weeks(ish) ago, and had to update the MMI to 5570 to get it to work. The discs that were used were official Audi ones.

Any ideas? Would the software MMI update disrupt the functioning of the air suspension?

**gupsterg** · 08-07-2014,01:47 AM

MMI update IMO wouldn't have caused the issue you describe.

Very common fault with the air suspension is that over time/use the air bags crack and as air leaks occur the pump over runs and fries. Usually owners hear the pump over running when this occurs, you don't state yours did, so can only assume it happened whilst you were away from your car or a different fault in the air suspension system has occurred like say a sensor/relay or a blown fuse

.

Best course of action is to get a VCDS scan done, if you do not have it or access to it google for VWAF VCDS members map and contact closest ones to see if they are willing to scan it.

If you get a diags done at local garage get results/error codes and post info for more help from members on forum.

Perhaps another member will be along with better info or experience share.

**careless_adi** · 08-07-2014,10:40 AM

Hi gupsterg,

I don't know where the air pump is on this car so I don't know where to listen out for it. I did hear it doing its thing when I first test drove the car as I was actively listening out for it, but yesterday I didn't think I could hear it at all. I'll try from the outside of the car though.
I will check if my local garage has VCDS, otherwise it'll be an VW/Audi specialist in the area.
It's not affecting the car at all though, from the outside the car looks like it's set to 'comfort', and doesn't looked slammed to the ground as if the air suspension is not inflated at all.

**gupsterg** · 08-07-2014,12:09 PM

The way you describe it I think a fault on a part of the air suspension system is disabling it and compressor maybe fine?

Have view/get SSP's in this post Link:- A6 Allroad - Where is the Suspension Compressor?

Also get SSP292 adaptive air suspension in the Audi A8 (google for it) some handy info in that as well, AAS in the A6 is same tech principles as other models.

On this webpage, check lower links and they show location of relays, fuses etc Link:- Audi Portal: ECU Diagnostic . Audi A6 4F (2005- ) . Level Control J197

I read somewhere once that if jacking mode is enabled in MMI (CAR button menu then SETUP) selectable settings get disabled but then it's supposed to switch off automatically when you drive over a very low speed threshold.

Without a scan data sorry mate no more info I can give, hopefully someone else will be along with more advice.

**Audi Doctor** · 08-07-2014,01:39 PM

Sometimes the compressor cuts out due to overheating,this can be caused simply by moving it about to much or their is also a common fault with the release valves in the suspension jamming.does the vehicle sit high at one wheel int?

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**careless_adi** · 08-07-2014,01:48 PM

All of the wheels look the same height.

I don't think there's a leak otherwise (I'm assuming of course!) that at least one of the quarters would drop over night.

Driving along, no noticeable suspension or handling problems and no lights on the dashboard relating to the suspension... until I try and set it to 'Lift'.

I'm starting to suspect it's this problem (wishful thinking maybe?) Allroad Air Suspension Compressor strip & repair - Page 24

I've looked in the boot and all I've got is a spare full size alloy and a huge battery. I suspect the air compressor is under the car at the rear.

I'll see where my nearest VCDS enabled garage is and get a scan done. Will report again soon.

Thank you both for your help!

)

**Audi Doctor** · 08-07-2014,01:56 PM

The faults with the valves are that they don't let the air out causing it to stay up,which in turn overheats the compressor due to it trying to compensate.ive fitted loads for same kind of fault.it can be checked quickly by bleeding front and rear suspension..if the valve is faulty it wnt lower.

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**gupsterg** · 08-07-2014,02:53 PM

Originally Posted by careless_adi

I've looked in the boot and all I've got is a spare full size alloy and a huge battery. I suspect the air compressor is under the car at the rear.

Ref SSP 344 part 1 pages 14/15, on page 14 you will see location of compressor/solenoid valve block.

**careless_adi** · 08-07-2014,02:58 PM

But would this be causing the suspension to flag up a yellow suspension light error when inflating too?

**gupsterg** · 08-07-2014,03:26 PM

In the A8 SSP on page 33 there is an explanation of lights, in the A6 SSP it directs you to read the A8 SSP as same tech.

Besides yellow light flags up when car is inflated too high or low in normal operation as per conditions in SSP they come on when fault occurs.

2 threads I read just now, link:- Question Air suspension amber light on the dashboard stays on

Plus this Link:- Please Help A8 Air suspension light is on

So could be like ABS/ESP fault causing air suspension not work as in linked post or simple as fuse/relay as the lucky owner in second thread.

I think you need to do some DIY exploitative work coupled with a scan or if bought from a dealer ask their helps with it as you've only had it a month?