That Sinking Feeling - A6 Allroad air suspension problems

[54A4Avant]

Just for a larf I asked a couple of local garages to quote for replacing the air springs on my A6 - to see how much I'd saved doing it myself. Both are part of a supposedly discount national chain, not main dealers. One quoted £950, the other £1,000 that was for replacing both rear springs.

Stressful though it was to DIY it, I'm quite glad I did.

[Kenhaw]

Hi guys

well I thought all was good after changing the piston ring but today the pump started acting up and only runs for 4 or 5 seconds and then stops. Does that mean the pump is bad? I took it apart again and checked piston ring and gasket and put it back together. On first try it ran maybe 80 seconds and on second attempt only 3 or 4 seconds.

Regards

kenneth

[bagpipingandy]

Can you get the fault codes?

unplug the temperature sensor if it only runs for 2-4 seconds and the compressor is cold the temperature sensor may be faulty, unplug it and test it

best regards

andy

[Kenhaw]

You mean just unplug the sensor and then try and run the pump again. I am in the south of france so its not really cold here.
It sounds like the pump is strugling and sounds more like it tries to push the piston but nothing happens. Piston ring is correct installed and piston runs free on cylinder.

[bagpipingandy]

Ideally we need the fault codes, however the symptoms of an overheating compressor is it will run for 3 seconds and stop, (not cold but hot) your compressor will not be hot but the temperature sensor if faulty is telling the system it’s hot, unplug the electrical connection to the temperature sensor and just try the system without it, else we need the fault codes

best regards

andy

[Kenhaw]

Hi Andy

worked like a champ unplugging the temp sensor. Thanks for all the advice

[bagpipingandy]

No problem, I’ve seen it a few times now, glad I could help

it will run without it but I recommend fitting a new one to protect it from overheating , I have new replacements drop me a PM with your email I can get one to you

best regards

andy