Air suspension weaknesses??? Opinions Please :)
 

I have ordered a new compressor (OEM GULP!) for my D3 A8L, as recently after engine shutdown, something sounding like a tractor was still running (until the battery went flat) :(

I "think" it sounded like the compressor, and it was coming from the n/s front of the car (you could feel the vibrations) ooh eer from both inside and outside the car.

Now, I am mainly after opinions on what the weakpoints of these air suspension setups are in your opinions? I have just randomly ordered the compressor after the suspension warning light is now solid orange and the suspension is stiffer than the EVO :cry: I feel like I am driving a 1980's ****box now-not an 80k luxury sedan :rolleyes:

I hope after ordering that it is the compressor burnt out, and not anything else, but if it isn't fixed-what do you think I should try?????


(I have had her in for guided fault finding-but after 1 hour Audi wanted to do a further 3 hours fault finding to diagnose the fault................. at over £100 an hour they got told to go jump :p)


Bex

Do you have access to VCDS?

I have yes, and although I can't remember the exact fault codes, there were 2:

One which stated an electrical fault and the second which stated an air leak. I know through searching the web that these two faults combined can mean the compressor is fried, which would make sense...it sounded literally like a tractor.

Inside the car the MMI has blanked off the LIFT & DYNAMIC settings and only allows Auto or comfort to be selected, although whichever you select, nothing changes in the suspension, no softness in comfort-still feels like a bag of bones.

I hope replacing the compressor is an easy job-because I am going to replace it on my own.

Does anyone know whether it needs configuring with the car???

Many Thanks

Bex :o

Anyone??? :(

Sorry Bex, Looks like your the first with the problem.

Erm.. You could have a leak in the system (other than the compressor) which would increase the work rate of the compressor and potentially the noise (though must admit I can't remember hearing mine).

A8parts should have a D3 compressor floating about as well. Does the whole car sag, or just one corner?

The whole car has gone stiff now, I think you may be right. I have bought a new compressor, when I fit it I will have a look to see if I can find any holes/splits in the hoses etc.

That is what I thought too, and almost hoping for.

Does anyone know whether I have to code the compressor to the car once fitted or will the car recognise it and sort the coding?

Bex

(P.S thanks for all input-it is greatly appreciated)

:D

I don't think the compressor has to be coded to the car, so you should be OK.

How much was this part you ordered?

Hi Nathan, I got an OEM audi part for £400.00

Now I just have to work out how to fit the damn thing...?

I took the bumper and headlight out and have no idea how to access this bloody compressor?

I think I may have to remove the bloody wing!!! :(

bumpski

Well, I think I ought to pop a quick update to anyone who is having similar problems with any D3 air suspension.

After replacing the compressor with a new unit (OEM WABCO), checking the fuse (no. 10 [10amp]) in the left hand side of the dash and replacing the relay with a new OEM audi relay I am still having no luck getting the suspension to work. (I still have a solid amber suspension light on the dash and occasionally the green one comes on-then turns off shortly afterwards)

Plugged it into VCDS and I have the fault code:

00668 - Supply Voltage Terminal 30
009 - Open or short to Ground
Fault status: 11101001
Fault Priority: 2

I am now not sure where to start. Audi want 4 hours to try and diagnose the fault... at £115.00 an hour I'm going to pass.

I would like to know more about the wiring, so if anyone has a detailed wiring diagram that I could have a look at I would be ever so grateful.

Bex

We get 50pound per hour labour rates at Harrogate Audi if your part of the A8OC if that helps? Ask A8_Tony for more details...

Shame North Yorkshire is a 5 hour drive from me :ROFL:

I live down in Sevenoaks hun :p

Sounds like a faulty ECU to me for adaptive suspension. If I recall the ECU is behind the glove box....

I hope it isn't that :ROFL: - I dread to think how much that would cost me :-(

But I am booking her in for another diagnostic session tomorrow-will update further +++

I am hoping it's simply a matter of basic settings needing to be addressed since replacing the compressor (I can live in hope 'ey) :D

It won't be if it has a supply voltage too low error. It's either wiring or ECU.

There are used ECU's on Ebay which you can code in easily. Around £100 max or speak to A8 parts.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Breaking-Audi-...item415596ed7f

Check the part number for yours particularly the last letter and you should be fine.

Supply Voltage errors is usually ECU errors. The Terminal 30 is Audi speak for (If I remember correctly!!!) ground. If you let me know your email I can send over the PDF's for it and you can check all terminal 30's on the ECU and pump?

Great-thanks John that would be awesome +++

email is info@sevenoakschauffeurs.co.uk

:)

Get it here - www.bigfishtuning.co.uk/a8/d3suspension.pdf

HTH.

Link doesn't work hun. :(

Still haven't received payment for the bumper hun...?

It's wrapped up ready to go but not until it's paid for +++

Well, after another hour at Audi today for guided fault finding and Basic settings, my suspension is now fixed. YIPPEE!

Fault was found in the form of 40A fuse in the passenger footwell (under the carpet-annoyingly next to the relay I replaced)

I now again fully appreciate air suspension, my god what a luxury.

Something I have now vowed to never live without in any car I own +++

Oh great result Bex :D
sooo. . . thats £1.50 for the fuse and £150 for the Audi diagnostics then!! ;)

A result. And you can always right it of against tax! :)

Just a quick update,

Earlier in this thread I mentioned I fitted a WABCO compressor. That is OEM in the sense that WABCO supply audi.

Now-I didn't buy from Audi-as the price difference for the audi parts label was £800... :o

I bought from this guy here:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/%...id=p4340.l2559

And was impressed by his feedback. He supplied me with the wrong item the 1st time and sent another one, and although it fitted and "worked", it was making a hideous vibration (metallic almost-so prominant that I could feel it in the pedals)

Today I bit the bullet and spent £1200 on a new compressor from Audi, just come on from fitting it (took me about 1.5hr-not bad for a bird huh :ROFL: ) spot on, not a single peep out of it.

Turns out the bracket rivetted to the compressor is ever so slightly out on the one from the german guy. That was a VERY expensive lesson learned-and I in future will only buy OEM from audi.

The seller above seemed to really know his stuff for the A6 suspension system, but lost a bit with the D3 A8's, even now he has the wrong info in his listings.

Be aware if anyone has this problem that the only real way of fixing this is to buy from Audi themselves. I can't tell you how relieved I am now that it's totally silent again... I really do take my beautiful car for granted sometimes... :tuttut:

to me this just shows how important a 3rd party warranty is.

True, that would only have cost £750... I've been speaking to warranty direct about doing it on a dirt cheap RS 6 I saw until I realised that was a bad idea. Insurance was double what I pay now so I can wait another year or two +++

bumpski

I have already explained why a 3rd party warranty isn't viable :rolleyes: They wanted £3500 for it.

They can go **** +++

why does mine cost 700quid then with warranty direct? :Confused:

Because you're not a chauffeur

bumpski

It sucks :(

Er, no, it blows.... the compressor that is!

Sorry, couldn't resist :ROFL:

Jacket


Door