Suspension Fault

[Albert_Swafega]

2011 A8 3.0 rear has dropped, needs fixing quickly, so dropped in at the Dealer, but they can't look at it until tomorrow.

Just wondered if anyone had had this before or could give a reasonable guess as to the cause/remedy?

Address 34: Level Control (J197) Labels: 4G0-907-553.clb
Part No SW: 4H0 907 553 C HW: 4H0 907 553
Component: LUFE-DAEMPFER H17 0096
Coding: 008001
Shop #: WSC 01236 210 01865
ASAM Dataset: EV_AirSuspe 003022
ROD: EV_AirSuspe_AU64.rod
VCID: 2CB2C93F4F04AF724986B1-8078

6 Faults Found:
677386 - Ride-Height System; Plausibility Error
C1046 00 [008] - -
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 3
Reset counter: 197
Mileage: 171307 km
Date: 2016.07.25
Time: 18:30:20

677387 - Ride-Height System; Plausibility Error
C1046 00 [008] - -
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 3
Reset counter: 197
Mileage: 171305 km
Date: 2016.07.25
Time: 17:57:45

677390 - Ride-Height System; Plausibility Error
C1046 00 [008] - -
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 194
Mileage: 171232 km
Date: 2016.07.20
Time: 20:46:57

403200 - Function Shut-Off Active
C10C8 00 [009] - -
Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 19
Reset counter: 157
Mileage: 169652 km
Date: 2016.06.20
Time: 18:44:14

677124 - Ride-Height System
C1047 07 [008] - Mechanical Failure
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 40
Mileage: 171294 km
Date: 2016.07.24
Time: 18:21:36

115968 - Functional Limitation due to Excessive Temperature
P178E 00 [008] - -
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 197
Mileage: 171307 km
Date: 2016.07.25
Time: 18:23:57

[ainarssems]

Sounds like a large leak or compressor on it's way out working overtime, overheating and shutting down. Compressors can often be revived with £25 repair kit but on 2011 car it's a bit early for it to wear out.

[Albert_Swafega]

Thanks for the input, i do hope it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

I need it desperately, we're booked on a ferry with the caravan a week on Friday. Hope they get it done or i'm screwed.

[IT]

Thanks for the input, i do hope it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

I need it desperately, we're booked on a ferry with the caravan a week on Friday. Hope they get it done or i'm screwed.

I would concur it looks like large loss of pressure and pump working overtime, or pump failing so pressure not building.

Either way, if its at a dealer, I would suspect a pump or suspension strut parts alone are going to be nudging 4 figures..... :(

But, subject to them being able to get the parts swiftly, which on a current model I would expect, then it shouldn't be too big a job to get done, if they can get it scheduled in for you.

I'd love to suggest it could be as simple and cheap as a loose connection or fractured pipe but unless there has been some recent impact or past accident damage then the pipes do seem to have been proven over time to be pretty robust.

[IT]

Quick additional thought - Just the rear has dropped? both, or just one side ?

If the front is holding ok, then perhaps the pump is fine, and you have a leak in one of the rear struts. Still not cheap though.

On the plus side, getting it seen to asap usually saves the pump from ultimately wearing itself out trying to pump up a car with a leak, and you're done that +++

[Joe2.0E]

Given the front is okay, it could be just a leak/fault in a valve block causing the air pressure to the rear of the car to drop.
Fingers Crossed for You.
Parts should only be 3-4 days away at most once they can diagnose the fault.

[Albert_Swafega]

I did notice the rear off side down a little a couple of weeks ago, but now, both sides, but only the rear.

Just called them for an update, and it can't do into the workshop until tomorrow morning now, they're running behind.

Meanwhile, i'm ****ting it 'cos my Holiday is at risk :(

Fingers crossed, legs crossed, and even eyes crossed.

[Albert_Swafega]

Well, they've got back to me today :(

Parts Needed:
1x Fuse
1x Relay
1x n/s Rear Bellow? Split because car dropped so low?
1x Compressor

Absolutely gutted, only bought it in March, first ever Audi.

So, on the plus side, they can get it done for Friday, so we get to go on hoilday as planned.

On the down side, bugger all spending money now...

[Joe2.0E]

Thats very unfortunate as I've never heard of Suspension issues before on a D4.
I presume "N/S Bellows" is the strut/airbag which is likely to be the most expensive part of the job.
It would be worth asking for a goodwill contribution from Audi, especially if the car has a full dealer history and reasonable mileage.
Hope it gets sorted in time for your holiday.

[Albert_Swafega]

They've rang today, they've fitted the compressor (£1150+vat) and it's still the same, the bellow is only £38, so not the leg as they're nearly a grand I'd of thought from audi.

They're back on it 1st thing, my bill at this point is approaching £2.5k :(

[Architex_mA8tey]

They've rang today, they've fitted the compressor (£1150+vat) and it's still the same, the bellow is only £38, so not the leg as they're nearly a grand I'd of thought from audi.

They're back on it 1st thing, my bill at this point is approaching £2.5k :(

so one has to say if they fitted the compressor and it didnt make any difference then why dont they put the old one back on and accept that they mis-diagnosed it :mad:

[Albert_Swafega]

Well, feel really let down by Audi:

No phone call today, so me and the Mrs called in to see them at 4pm.

Turns out the new compressor is working fine, the car maintains it's level, and has stood overnight and is still level.

BUT

The diagnostic still throws an error 'cos the accumulator never gets up to pressure. They won't release the car in that state, as, if there's still a leak the pump could burn itself out(again?).

They're ordering a replacement accumulator, and they're on back order, 7-10 days :mad:

Can't give any estimate on completion, have no courtesy car with a tow bar.

Spoke to the guy now working on it, and no leaks have been actually found yet. Seems like they're just following the flow-chart of fault finding, replacing whole parts as they go.

It's back in the workshop in the morning, for one last look with a fresh pair f eyes, but they didn't sound hopeful.

The annoying thing is, i only authorized the repair because i was guaranteed it would be ready for tomorrow. And that was the basis of the whole saga.

Meanwhile my ferry crossing is Saturday morning at Portsmouth.

Now to find a car to borrow.....

[Johnmed]

This is like déjà vu. D4, impending driving holiday, Audi main dealer playing silly beggars...

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11464


So sorry to hear of your predicament. Hope it gets sorted soon.

[Joe2.0E]

Really sorry to hear of such poor service. The Accumulator is just a small pressure tank, I'd be surprised if it has just suddenly started leaking.
It might make more sense to get it pressure tested, it wouldnt be difficult to do.
I would also have a wander around their used car stock, there would surely be something there with a towbar fitted that they could lend you.

[damtom85]

Well, feel really let down by Audi:

No phone call today, so me and the Mrs called in to see them at 4pm.

Turns out the new compressor is working fine, the car maintains it's level, and has stood overnight and is still level.

BUT

The diagnostic still throws an error 'cos the accumulator never gets up to pressure. They won't release the car in that state, as, if there's still a leak the pump could burn itself out(again?).

They're ordering a replacement accumulator, and they're on back order, 7-10 days :mad:

Can't give any estimate on completion, have no courtesy car with a tow bar.

Spoke to the guy now working on it, and no leaks have been actually found yet. Seems like they're just following the flow-chart of fault finding, replacing whole parts as they go.

It's back in the workshop in the morning, for one last look with a fresh pair f eyes, but they didn't sound hopeful.

The annoying thing is, i only authorized the repair because i was guaranteed it would be ready for tomorrow. And that was the basis of the whole saga.

Meanwhile my ferry crossing is Saturday morning at Portsmouth.

Now to find a car to borrow.....

they are messing around with you. they put new compressor but error still shows up so that means old unit is goood and fault is somewhere else, and for them to say it was up after night, it is just lies so you will have to pay for new compressor. bloody useless these audi dealers lately.

[Albert_Swafega]

Well, back off holiday on Monday, arrived home late, after loaning a Discovery from a friend for a few weeks.

Went to Audi,

they've replaced the compressor and the accumulator, apparently the accumulator has a valve in the neck that was faulty.

they haven't charged for the accumulator or additional labour, but the bill stood at £2.4k, including a tyre they found a bleb on.

after lots of moaning, shouting, arguing, got the bill reduced to £2k, paid & left.

i'll put that one down to experience, and hope she runs well for the next few years.

it's lovely getting out of a discovery and back in the A8 i must say :)

[Albert_Swafega]

Well, here's an update, and any advice appreciated....

since i had all the trouble, the fault code has never really gone away, though the car has behaved. If i didn't plug in, i'd never had known of a fault.

over the last couple of years i've replaced all the residual pressure valves on the legs, and the fault remained, but didn't come back immediately after being cleared. prior to doing the valves, it came back with a ride around the block.

anyway, today, had a ride into sheffield, suspension lights all came on, front end visually low, though rear ok....this time.

i could hear air escaping from the front left, so jacked and removed wheel finding air exhausting from the bottom of the strut and fluid all over the floor (looks like water).

it appears i need a new strut :(

looking on aliexpress/ebay/etka etc my running gear is "1BK" requiring a front strut "4H0616039AD" which was superseded with "4H0616039AK" then "4H0616039AP".

the aliexpress/ebay china ones appear to cover my running gear and the "2MA" & "2MB" running gear looking at the part numbers.

so, can i fit an "4H0616039AF" or a "4H0616039T"??

can i fit a "4g0616039" from an A6/7?

would you fit the china ones? would you do the pair? can mine be repaired easily??

cheers guys

Albert

[neeldub]

Why don't you buy an extended warranty from Audi UK for the same price as the air suspension strut which will cover the car for a whole year.

Only drawback is that you cannot make a claim within the 1st month of buying the policy.

Check it out and read their T&C booklet carefully

https://insurewithaudi.co.uk/extended-warranty/

[Albert_Swafega]

In the end i replaced the failed leg with one from a scrappers,

it's never missed a beat since.

the fault that had been there since i'd bought it has now never returned either.

C1047 07 [008] - Mechanical Failure

so if anyone else gets that code, your front left leg is on its way out!!

Albert