Allroad won't Lower

[bagpipingandy]

I thought i would share this fault I have had twice now on my allroad.

I had this about 10 months ago when the car would raise OK but not lower resulting in me getting it stuck at level 4 with the Dash suspension error light on also posted on here, but it happened again yesterday,
Vag com fault:
01397 - Venting Solenoid for Level Control (N111)
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground

The last time it was a broken wire to the solinoid on the compressor which I joined and so I thought it would be my joint which had failed, but on investigation, it turned out to be a new break in the wire, on further investigation there had been a 3rd repair prior to me owning it and so these 2 wires going to the solenoid have caused some trouble now and in the past.
I thought I would post this to save others time if you have the same error as these wires may be prone to damage or breaking.
attached are some pictures in case any others have the same symptoms in the future.
1st shows the side to locate solenoid & compressor:L1000489edit.jpg

Next is 2 wires going to solenoid, yellow wire being poory patched previous to my ownership:L1000494edit.jpg

close up showing broken wire and previous join taped up:L1000493.jpg

I removed the electrical plug and in true Audi Build i could neatly remove the connections from the housing and solder a new wire removing old jointed wire. Car goes down again great when you get a fix without costing ££££'s.

[djl78]

Good info and good pics for the knowledge bank.
Thanks

[Kyojitsu]

Yes cheers for that. Another one to add to the possibles when suspension does weird stuff!

[biggs001]

great stuff

[misu24]

very good advice. excellent explanation. thank you.

[Pripasu Flavius]

Hello,

Anyone knows if at audi a8 2007 this solenoid are in the same location?

I've tried a few hours to find it, but no chance.
At a8 looks a bit different underneath the car, but might be my mistake.

Someone can put me in the right direction please?

Thanks, Flavius Michael

[bagpipingandy]

Hello,

Anyone knows if at audi a8 2007 this solenoid are in the same location?

I've tried a few hours to find it, but no chance.
At a8 looks a bit different underneath the car, but might be my mistake.

Someone can put me in the right direction please?

Thanks, Flavius Michael

The N111 solenoid is on the air suspension compressor, the compressor on the A8 is under the car in front of the front wheel, access under or through wheel arch liner.

What is your suspension symptoms?

Regards

Andy

[Pripasu Flavius]

Thank you Andy for your quick response.
The air suspension left on the higher level and when I've put the diagnose, I've got the same code errors like in this thread "01397 - Venting Solenoid for Level Control (N111)
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground".

I found it now, and now I'm trying to see if I can get sorted out somehow or I have to buy a new compressor.

Thanks, Flavius Michael

[bagpipingandy]

Thank you Andy for your quick response.
The air suspension left on the higher level and when I've put the diagnose, I've got the same code errors like in this thread "01397 - Venting Solenoid for Level Control (N111)
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground".

I found it now, and now I'm trying to see if I can get sorted out somehow or I have to buy a new compressor.

Thanks, Flavius Michael

If the error is Open or Short to Ground it’s not a faulty valve it is most likely the wires or plug connection, inspect the 2 this wires going to the n111 valve, it’s the connection on the plastic body of the compressor

[Crasher]

That is the valve block on the compressor, genuine they are daft money but there are lots of cheap aftermarket ones which work.