allroad suspension issue

[jimmyfingers]

Hi all
New member here, had my 2002 allroad 2.7t for a few weeks now, drives lovely and enjoying it but i do have a couple of issues. I'll tackle the suspension first. I'm new to these cars and on a learning curve so forgive me some possible ignorance...

Basically the level never changes, on startup, level 1 light is solid green and just stays like it, I drive and nothing changes and no error light in dash, its like I've just got normal suspension. I'm not sure if I can hear the compressor or not as don't know how loud it should be, if I can hear it then it's very quiet. At stand still, if i try to raise to 2 or 3 then the green light flash and eventually stops and then get the orange error light in the dash, level 1 green solid again. The only time the error light will come on is if there is some weight in the boot, as if its trying to raise but fails to get to level 2. From outside it all looks level with no dipping corners. I'll be getting VCDS soon hopefully to get any error codes but at the moment I'm just going on what I can see. I'm wondering if it's a faulty compressor issue or is it the control unit not working properly? Will i only know once i get the VCDS to get some codes?

Thanks in advance

[bagpipingandy]

Hi, & welcome to the forum

when you press up can you hear the compressor running? get out the car and head under the car (near rear passanger wheel) you should hear the compressor running.

the car will try for 120 seconds to lift it cannot make the requested level it will throw the error light on, but ignition off and on it will be ok again, i think this is your symptoms
.

So check if the compressor is running when requested to go up, if it doesnt we need to look at the fuse and relay, then wiring and possible motor burnt out,

40 AMP fuse is under the steering wheel and relay is in there too:
fuse & relay.JPG


if you can hear the compressor running this means fuse and relay is ok so then, put a tape measure on the rear wheel arch to the ground, does it lift a little even 2-3mm? if it lifts a tiny bit it is a weak compressor which you can repair, if no movement maybe airline is off or stuck valves or other reason.

check the above out and let us know what you find

regards

Andy

[jimmyfingers]

Hi Andy

Thanks for the reply. I'll have a look tonight and get straight back to you.

Thanks again!

Jimmy

[kite]

:thumbup:

bloody smart phones....

[jimmyfingers]

Ok this is both bizarre and a bit embarrassing. Drove home from work, tried raising to L2 to listen for compressor and it only went and worked! Tried L3 and it worked too, tried L4 but it then failed and got error on dash. For three weeks it's done as I described in previous post and the day I asked the question it decides to work.

The only thing I've done since trying it last week was re-sit all the fuses in the main fuse panel as there were a couple blown (heated mirrors and cig lighter), not the ones under the steering as I didn't know there was any there. I didn't think there was anything to do with the suspension there but could this have done the trick?

Ive now left it on L3 and will see what it's like in the morning. Should I leave it in L3 or L2? Or are there any other things I can do tonight to see if it's all working ok?

Thanks
Jimmy

[bagpipingandy]

fuse 5 , 7 & 17 are connected to the suspension in some mannor not sure if you may have disturbed it or maybe something else,

use it at any level, you cannot go to level 4 if travelling faster than 25MPH or go to level 3 if faster than 50MPH, if you want to check for leaks park at level 1 overnight, if is sinks you have an airbag leak

does it always fail getting to level 4? or it may just have overheated if you were "playing" with it a lot, if slow to lift failing to reach level 4 becomes common you can refurbish the compressor, see video with links here:

http://www.bagpipingandy.com/installation.html

best regards

Andy

[jimmyfingers]

Thanks Andy, looks like re-seating the fuses has sorted it out without even realising! It's always been at level 1 anyway and it hasn't sunk, I did measure the heights last night and they are out by a few mm but nothing terrible I don't think. Yes, it always fails getting to level 4. It seems to fail raising if you're sitting in the car, it did this morning anyway, I tried raising to L2 while in the car and it failed, i then tried and got out and it raised! Don't suggest going on a diet, there's not a lot of me as it is...

I've looked at your website and think thats the way to go, I'll get one of your kits to fit.

Just another thing, at level 1 if i push ESP nothing happens, today at level 3 I pushed ESP and an orange light came on the dash (triangle and round arrow). What does this mean?

Thanks
Jamie