Front airbags deflated/ won't raise
 

Hi all, I know there are a million threads on this. I have taken time to read through a load of them but, I'm still not not sure how to rectify this.

I took my car in last week for the control arms to be replaced, the chap did not engage 'jack mode' and the car was being worked on for quite a few hours.

After the work was complete and the car was back on the ground, the front of the car has completely dropped and the wheels are in the arches.

When I switch on the car it does not raise at all on the front, although it seems the rears have some air in them.

I cannot select ride height options as they are totally greyed out.


The mechanic said he checked the fuses and relay and they were in working order, he did not replace them but merely said the work as they should.

The mechanic also said the compressor works.

From reading I understand a healthy pump pushes 14+ bar of pressure, how does one measure this?

The mechanic is looking at re-calibrating the suspension but I am worried he won't be able to do this with the ride height options not functioning.

Any suggestions please?

VCDS or decent diagnostic that can see what is going on. This can also test the compressor and tell you the output. There is a label file on here specifically for that.

Are the suspension lights lit up on the dash?

Thanks for the reply, yes the lights are on the dash - both yellow/green symbols.

I'm pretty sure this garage uses 'Snap On' gear for diagnostics and not genuine VCDS.

Ok, maybe I should go back on Monday and ask him to tell me the output of the compressor. Is that shown on the diagnostics?

According to the documentation Jack Mode is not needed for a 2-post lift which lifts all four wheels off the floor. The suspension computer can figure out when this is happening and ignores it.

Jack mode is needed if one corner or one end is being lifted so if your mechanic had it on a 4 post lift and just picked up the front that might have upset it.

It could simply have logged an error and be refusing to play until its cleared.

Mikkijayne - yes I had read that too in some of the articles. This does confuse me a little then. I'm not sure if he has scanned and cleared any fault codes. Perhaps if this was done it may allow him to select the suspensions options which a re currently greyed out.

What particularly annoys me is the car went in totally fine and now I'm having to spend a lot of time seeking solutions.

Thanks for your input so far gents+++

Also worth checking out are the height sensors, to see if they have been moved, damaged or not connected properly, especially if the mechanic was in there working on the suspension.

has he definately checked the fuse and relay under the carpet in the front passengers footwell area? its a huge orange 30A fuse and I had one go whilst I was in Germany once and it stopped the air suspension compressor from operating and left the suspension "locked" at the level it was at when it detected the fault . . . . worth a double check and changing both I reckon for the cost . . . .

Make sure the level sensors are still connected mechanically and the ball joint has not popped off. Maybe the fault "Vehicle extremely not level - machanical failure is stored. This has to be cleared if it is.

Should not cost you anything as the garage is at fault!

As said, get the fuse and relay checked physically and any faults cleared. The Snap On will be fine to do this.

Thanks again chaps you are most helpful.

As far as I am aware he did check the fuses and said the old ones were fine. I suggested as a precaution he may as well change the fuses and relay.

He has admitted liability and is trying to fix the problem, unfortunately it has left me without a car for a week.

I shall ask him to check all the points raised by you knowledgeable chaps+++

I'll make a list of check points and logically run through them.

I will see him on Monday and report back+++