pipes, compressor, bags, fuse and a relay!

onetwentie · #1 17th May 2014, 11:42 AM

Hi all

I have a very quick question after having read quite a few threads on here regarding troubleshooting a leak in the air suspension system.

where are the frikkin pipes??

I am trying to troubleshoot this issue with my 2007 3.0 TDI A8 and have thus far managed to establish:

the 40 amp fuse in the passenger footwell is fine
I have changed the relay in case

please help.

Also is it true that if I want to test the compressor/pump I can do so from the relay location by giving it live and ground to the correct terminals?

thanks all in advance.

Delboy · #2 17th May 2014, 12:56 PM

In order to diagnose your problem and any other general tinkering on these cars you would be wise to invest in vcds cable and software so you may scan for faults and test components on the car.

I'm not at home just now but I can upload some info on the suspension systems later or try googling for Audi a8 suspension ssp and and you will likely find a good explanation of the systems.

onetwentie · #3 17th May 2014, 02:15 PM

Hi Del

thanks for the info. I should have mentioned that i've had the car scanned and it did come up with suspension errors, one of which was 'leak detected in system'.

I've managed to test the relay and all is good there, but i'm trying to figure out how to actuate the pump.

Anyway, i've managed to remove the wheel and the liner, just about to try and remove the pump. I think Glyn did a write up of how to do that.

Delboy · #4 17th May 2014, 03:43 PM

I'm quite sure you could manually trigger the compressor but its much better to do these tests with vcds as you can see the output pressure, temp, and function each strut through a sequence of output tests which may help you find the fault quicker and easier.

onetwentie · #5 17th May 2014, 04:02 PM

Managed to get to the pump connector and figured out which cables are for power (brown one and red+white one), wired a battery to it but nothing.

Does this mean it's dead?

If I remove the pump can I still drive/move the car or not? if not is that because the pipe circuit is broken and hence will not be 'air tight' ?

Also once the pump is removed will the car then lower all the way to the ground?

thanks in advance

Delboy · #6 17th May 2014, 04:08 PM

Looking at the schematic in that attachment if the car tries to raise its self with the compressor remove it will drop to the floor as the will be nothing downstream of the solenoid block to prevent the air escaping.

If the car is still at a sensible ride height you could disconnect the cabling from the valve block, that would prevent the air springs from discharging providing there is no leaks of course.

There is something else you could possibly try but I can not say for sure, if you go into the mmi and put the car into jacking mode then it should not try to adjust the air in the system but you can not go above 9 mph so its not going to help if you have to travel in the car and would be best if you disconnect the wiring from the valve block.