Intermittent suspension issues

[jonk]

Hi all,

Having a new parking sensor fitted so will get the ace local indi to read the codes on the suspension while he's there. However, my first glitch:

Very occasionally get the amber light or green dynamic mode light while the car is in comfort or automatic. A switch off and on of the ignition usually does the trick. Yesterday however, it greyed out all settings on the MMI and defaulted to dynamic. This is where it stayed until I left it for an hour or so and then all other settings were back.

When all is well, it lowers and raises fine although if left in automatic and coming out of dynamic motorway mode, it will get stuck going back to comfort. Again, a restart cute it. Does this sound like a sensor rather than a compressor problem? Also, dare I ask... How expensive are the level sensors and are they located on each shock?

Thanks for wisdom..!

[mannyo]

most likely the same issue I am going through except mine is not that bad. Compressor is slowly dying and not outputting sufficient pressure to maintain the ride height correctly. If you have the fault codes read with VCDS you'll most likely have a G291 implausible signal, as I do.

I assume that if you leave the car overnight it maintains the height correctly, thus ruling out any leaks?.

Mine is going in tomorrow to have the compressor rebuilt using a kit which can be purchased on ebay. It can be done DIY, but my local indy is fitting the repair kit for me.

[jonk]

Interesting thanks... It's in a week today so will see what they say. Yup, holds height overnight fine and no horrible noises. I sometimes wonder if the front is higher than it should be when switched off though.

When fully laden with 4 or 5 passengers, I'll get the green light but after 30 seconds or so it'll re level ok.

Could you send me the link to the rebuild kit please? May save a bit should the news not be good. Was rather hoping a re calibration of the system may improve things...we shall see!

[jonk]

Is it the piston ring set? They're very cheap!! If that's what the problem happens to be...

[mannyo]

Originally Posted by jonk

Is it the piston ring set? They're very cheap!! If that's what the problem happens to be...

Thats it, I'll let you know if it fixed mine properly. Being done today, they are picking the car up at 7.30am from work.

I know that currently, if I select Lift the car does rise but it takes ages to get there. If I then select Automatic, the car drops as you expect but the Lift option remains unavailable for ages whilst the compressor struggles to build up pressure to get the car to raise again. If I leave it on auto, its fine all the time but the compressor does seem to run more often than I would like. I have no leaks, and the system was checked over 2 weeks ago and all is good now except the compressor.

Might also be worth having the level sensor connectors checked for moisture as per my thread.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7421

[jonk]

Good to hear your issues are sorted... My indi won't touch this unfortunately, who did you use in your neck of the woods?

Thanks!

[mannyo]

Company called VASWorks, located in Holton Heath just outside Poole. They have installed the kit into lots of compressors, without problem.

They have done all the service and repair work on my previous D2 and current D3.
http://www.vasworks.co.uk/vw-audi-specialists.php

[jonk]

Many thanks. I've found an ex VW/Audi tech fairly close by and spoke to him today. My regular independent just won't touch air suspension whereas this other chap seemed perfectly happy to refurbish the unit.
If it turns out it doesn't fix what I suspect is a lazy compressor, it'll e a fairly small amount of money spent before investigating further. Thanks for staying in touch on this and for all your help.