Level 2 suspension light flashing in everyday driving

[hanny77]

Hi.

Any advice would be gratefully received on this.
I have started noticing recently that the level 2 suspension light has been flashing under normal driving conditions. "Normal" in as much as I haven't just been travelling above 78mph (or whatever it is for the suspension to have dropped to Level 1) and it has been on level 2. I don't get the amber suspension warning light on the dash, just an indication that the level is coming up to 2.
Any ideas why it has started to do this? Every now and again the left front corner will drop, but very infrequently and probably hasn't happened for a month or so.

Thanks.

[amiram]

You Have an air leak, Probably form the left front corner. And the system tries to Leave the car a level 2. And therefore why it is flashing. Fix the air leak soon Or that it will cost you also in the compressor, Because of excessive working time. After you finish the work you need to check for fault codes and delete them

[bagpipingandy]

Hi.

Any advice would be gratefully received on this.
I have started noticing recently that the level 2 suspension light has been flashing under normal driving conditions. "Normal" in as much as I haven't just been travelling above 78mph (or whatever it is for the suspension to have dropped to Level 1) and it has been on level 2. I don't get the amber suspension warning light on the dash, just an indication that the level is coming up to 2.
Any ideas why it has started to do this? Every now and again the left front corner will drop, but very infrequently and probably hasn't happened for a month or so.

Thanks.

Does the car sink down to the bump stops at any time?

just to confirm was the car at level 1 or level 2 before the light is flashing and does the car then stay at 2 or go to 1?

what happens if you park the car at level 1 overnight? does it sink?

regards

Andy

[hanny77]

Does the car sink down to the bump stops at any time?

just to confirm was the car at level 1 or level 2 before the light is flashing and does the car then stay at 2 or go to 1?

what happens if you park the car at level 1 overnight? does it sink?

regards

Andy

Hi Andy.
I haven't done it for a while but it will almost certainly sink down on the passenger front if parked up on level 1. And yes, car has been at level 2 when it has started flashing and stays at level 2 after.

[bagpipingandy]

Hi Andy.
I haven't done it for a while but it will almost certainly sink down on the passenger front if parked up on level 1. And yes, car has been at level 2 when it has started flashing and stays at level 2 after.

Ok definitely an airbag leak,

if it always sinks when on level 1 but doesn't sink parked at level 2 or 3 you have an airbag leak,

whatever corner goes the lowest when parked at level 1 in "jack" mode this is the airbag you need to change,

it is sinking at level 2 now as the leak is getting bigger and so driving along the car is bouncing and causing a leak and the ECU is noticing it sinking and so the level 2 light flashes as it tries to correct it by running the compressor, do the park at level 1 trick and if it definitely sinks at level 1 but not at level 3 then replace this airbag now before it wears out the compressor, do not ignore it as it will cost more money to fix the longer you leave it.

best regards

Andy

[hanny77]

Thanks Andy, and sorry for the delay in recognising your reply.

I've been quoted 3 hours by a local Audi specialist to do the replacement. Does that sound about right?
They have warned about the pinch nut, so I have started spraying daily with WD40 to hopefully ease the process. Fingers crossed.

I've found the spring for £170 from Germany ( Audi A6 C5 4B Allroad Quattro Front Air Suspension Air Spring ARNOTT | eBay ) which is quite a saving compared to direct from Arnott.

[ceilidhalfie]

Thanks Andy, and sorry for the delay in recognising your reply.

I've been quoted 3 hours by a local Audi specialist to do the replacement. Does that sound about right?
They have warned about the pinch nut, so I have started spraying daily with WD40 to hopefully ease the process. Fingers crossed.

I've found the spring for £170 from Germany ( Audi A6 C5 4B Allroad Quattro Front Air Suspension Air Spring ARNOTT | eBay ) which is quite a saving compared to direct from Arnott.

Andy is being modest. He can supply you with an airbag. I replaced the osf on my Allroad with a Bagpipingandy one - installed with no issues and has now done 1,500 miles. CAN MOST CERTAINLY RECOMMEND! (Andy, no rush for my commission!!).

[bagpipingandy]

3 hours sounds about right, if the pinch bolt comes out is simple enough but many will have spent hours fighting it, HEAT is the best solution (my opinion only)

i plan to provide the airbags soon in large quantities for now they are under testing, but they look as per the original audi same as one other supply's online, im sure its the same manufacturer, cost will be around £130 + shipping

I also have a plate coming soon to allow you to heat that upper pinch bolt without destroying the rubber upper arms, i may provide it in a kit with the airbags

watch this space

regards

Andy

[ceilidhalfie]

I have recently replaced the two front airbags- first in Dec last year and second in Feb this year. Made real cods of removing the first pinch bolt but second was very easy - but you have to be a bit patient. By all means treat with WD40 beforehand (I did). Won't do any harm - not sure how much if any good it does do. As Andy says, HEAT is a sure way to get the pinch bolt off - I used a cut piece of tin as an improvised heat shield and an old Black & Decker paint stripper as a heat source - source does not have to be mega hot and best air as opposed to flame. Use a 11mm SINGLE HEX (do not want to strip head of pinch bolt) socket and at least a 2foot breaker bar and light hammer. The following process WORKS:
Heat wheel bearing housing just below the pinch bolt knuckle (with heat shield in place at joint rubbers) for about5 mins With 11mm hex tapped on to head of pinch bolt, lever the breaker bar back and forth AT FIRST USING ONLY THE FLEX OF THE BREAKER BAR. Frequently tap the 11mm socket to ensure still fully on pinch bolt head and is not stripping head.
Back on with the heat and repeat above process. THIS IS THE PATIENT BIT - it could take about an hour (my experience!) before you SENSE the bolt is also moving MINISCULELY with the flex of the breaker bar.
Heat again and repeat - you are now CERTAIN the bolt is moving BUT YOU CANNOT SEE IT MOVING!
Heat again and repeat - now you can see the bolt moving! Again, be patient and repeat the process and the bolt will eventually turn freely 360 degrees and can be tapped out.

[basil31]

Gents, sorry for resurrecting an old thread.
just picked up a c6 4.2 with the air suspension.
previous seller said "no issues" and car behaved during test drive.
after 10 mins on my drive home, i got the dash error - yellow air suspension; car dropped to dynamic and wouldn't rise.
got home and wiped the codes.
i recalibrated the suspension with VCDS/Vagcom., and ran a few tests.

VCDS test results were:
FL Test – OK
FR Test - OK
RL Test - OK
RR Test – OK
Pressure Accumulation test – "not okay" reading - max 9.3 bar @ 83’c
Relay okay.

took readings as follows:
Lifted to high position. readings below are in mm from centre wheel to bottom arch.
Engine on – 422mm FL; 408mm RL; 412mm RR; 408mm FR
After 2 mins - 415 FL (-7); 402 RL (-6); 402 RR (-10); 400 FR (-8)
After 10 mins - 415 FL (-7); 402 RL (-6); 401 RR (-11); 400 FR (-8)
After 50 mins - 416 FL (-6); 402 RL (-6); 402 RR (-10); 400 FR (-8)
After 24 hours – 418 FL (-4); 403 RL (-5); 403 RR (-9); 400 FR (-8)

looks like the Front Right is not rising as much as the front left. after 24 hours, front right is 18mm higher than front left.

i was going to refurb the pump with PipingAndys ebay kit - only because the pump is a bit noisy (whining when cold), and i think a refurb would do it well.
it sounds like the pump is down behind the front right fog light - is this correct?
i have tracked down a used pressure tank, which i intend on fitting.
should i also focus on replacing the front left strut? or should i replace the rear two aswell - as none of them are rising as much as the front right.

finally....is level 1 classed as Dynamic; level 2 Comfort; level 3 lift?

home DIYer learning this air kit quickly
thanks in advance.