Allroad suspension problem

[ranershall]

Hi

Just bought a 2.5tdi year 03. I took the suspension up to level 4 today which worked fine. It then dropped down to level 2 ok so I thought great, no problems. But during a long motorway drive tonight the suspension warning light came on and didn't go off. The level dropped to 1 and wouldn't go up to 2. Then the level 1 light started flashing. I pulled in and noticed the front LH wheel was well down. The other wheels looked ok. I stopped and started the engine up a few times and eventually it held pressure at level 2 and was fine for the rest of the journey.

Is this faulty LH front air bag?

My first Allroad so any help would be most appreciated.

[bagpipingandy]

Hi

Just bought a 2.5tdi year 03. I took the suspension up to level 4 today which worked fine. It then dropped down to level 2 ok so I thought great, no problems. But during a long motorway drive tonight the suspension warning light came on and didn't go off. The level dropped to 1 and wouldn't go up to 2. Then the level 1 light started flashing. I pulled in and noticed the front LH wheel was well down. The other wheels looked ok. I stopped and started the engine up a few times and eventually it held pressure at level 2 and was fine for the rest of the journey.

Is this faulty LH front air bag?

My first Allroad so any help would be most appreciated.

Hi, Yes it sounds like a leaking airbag on the front LH, it will leak more so at level 1 but it may hold on level 2 or 3 better. to check if it is leaking use plenty of soapy water and spray/brush it onto the airbag you suspect, if it is leaking, loads of bubbles will form, check the pipe fitting also before jumping to conclusion,

read up on this thread:

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=60746

sounds like a bad leak if it struggles to keep up at level 1, hence the light flashing in the dash. it will give in trying to lift to level 2 when a heat switch notices the compressor getting too warm. the only thing to do would be wait and then retry after cooling, try to run the car in level 2 or 3 to save compressor heating up and burning out, (Note: level 3 will lower to 2 after 55MPH)

see thread above on replacing the air bag

Andy

[ranershall]

Hi, Yes it sounds like a leaking airbag on the front LH, it will leak more so at level 1 but it may hold on level 2 or 3 better. to check if it is leaking use plenty of soapy water and spray/brush it onto the airbag you suspect, if it is leaking, loads of bubbles will form, check the pipe fitting also before jumping to conclusion,

read up on this thread:

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=60746

sounds like a bad leak if it struggles to keep up at level 1, hence the light flashing in the dash. it will give in trying to lift to level 2 when a heat switch notices the compressor getting too warm. the only thing to do would be wait and then retry after cooling, try to run the car in level 2 or 3 to save compressor heating up and burning out, (Note: level 3 will lower to 2 after 55MPH)

see thread above on replacing the air bag

Andy

Thanks Andy. It manages to hold at level two but takes a minute to get there from cold. How long have I got before I get it changed? I need to use this car everyday and I don't want to cause more damage.

[bagpipingandy]

Thanks Andy. It manages to hold at level two but takes a minute to get there from cold. How long have I got before I get it changed? I need to use this car everyday and I don't want to cause more damage.

It is dificult to say without seeing it, my recomendation would be change it as soon as you know it is leaking as it will cause stress on the compressor which costs more than the air bags.

when mine went i could leave in on level 3 over night and it would not lower so i was happy to run it for a few weeks as i know it shouldn't be too bad, this meant trying to stay below 55MPH to stay at level 3!!.

if you would tackle the job yourself use Arnott Airbags, everything is in the link show earlier, cost around £300 for the front to fit yourself. You have to be used to working on carsthough not recommended for 1st repair job.

to buy from arnott can be up to 2 weeks delivery time however others have recieved them quicker.

any questions let us know

Andy

[bagpipingandy]

Note:
1st I would recommend confirming if it is the air bag?, Try soapy water before buying anything, It there is a leak it could be the airbag, the airline, the fitting to airbag, the control module under the car, many places so check before spending £300!!

Andy