I am a definite newbie here...I hate that this is my first post, but I've run into a pretty bad problem and need some help! I'll give a formal introduction soon. I'm not a newb to car forums...just to this one.

I recently bought a 2001 Allroad. Love the car, but since I've owned it for two weeks, I've run into a bit of a problem with my air ride suspension.

I've got pretty much an identical problem as the one in this post: https://www.audiforums.com/m_897804/tm.htm

Sometimes while I am driving at level 2, (especially with a passenger), my front passenger side will drop down to level 1 on its own. Sometimes it'll even drop past level one, and as the car is trying to raise itself back up...it'll give up after awhile. The warning light in my gauge cluster will blink for awhile, then go solid. If I turn the car off and let it sit for awhile, everything will return to normal after I restart.

Also, when I park the car...that same front passenger side will slam itself to the ground. This is only half the time though, the other half of the time my car will barely even lower itself, even if I park it over night (which is normal).

I'm pretty sure I am having the same problem as the link I posted above. I have not ran any codes (don't know how and don't have the software to do so). And since this problem is only intermittent, I am almost positive I just need to replace the front passenger side sensor.

Any advice and know how would be appreciated. I'll go ahead and apologize in advance for making a post that may seem like a repetitive one you all may have seen before. Thanks!

 

Taking the car to DFW Audi here in a couple hours. I just drove the car 320 from Lubbock to Fort Worth....of course half way through the trip the car decided to randomly slam itself. Stuck out in the middle of nowhere with storms all around me, I proceded on....luckily that final stretch of I-20 to Fort Worth has been re-paved recently.

I just went outside, started the car and it raised itself to level 2 with no problems...ugh. I'm still going to take her to the dealership (stealership) and get a loaner car.

 

You have a leak in one of your bags.. and the reason it gives up is because the compressor will turn itself off after a few minutes so it doesnt burn out. Mine has the same problem. Try going to level 3, keep it under 50 and see if you have same problem.

 

Audi America has an advocate to discuss any issues or concerns about your Audi experience. All Allroad owners need to call and complain about this issue with the air suspension and maybe they will do something about it. Customer CARE Advocate call 1-800-822-2834 (AUDI), Mon-Fri, 8 am to 8 pm, Eastern Time.

 

I realized why the air bag "slamming" seems intermittent when the car is parked over night. Sometimes the leak is very slow, so as the air escapes from the air bag, the air in the compressor tank compensates to keep it level. Once the compressor is out of air, the passenger side will finally sag to the point of being "slammed" (hence the compressor obviously won't turn on while the car is off).

That was the diagnosis today....it actually turns out to be a leak. Instead of going to the dealer, I went to a local German auto shop here who specializes in VW and Audi's. I went in and asked if any of their technicians were familiar with the Allroad's suspension. They said that have about 4 or 5 regular customers that drive Allroads and one of their technicians new the suspension setup like the back of his hand. He performed the computer diagnostic and visual inspection, and we both realized that my air bag does in fact have a leak.

It's weird that it never leaks up at level 3, but it's just something about how the bags sit in that postion that keeps the leak under control at that level.

Through connections, instead of paying $660 for a new shock/air spring, I'm getting it for $459 from the same Audi dealership. I had to make a few phone calls in order to get it down $200 cheaper. I'm also getting the installation kit as well.

I am mechanically inclined and am friends with quite a few mechanics in the area. Should I hire an Audi specialist to install the new air spring, or would I be safe to hire an independent mechanic?? Reason I am asking is because of the huge difference in labor costs. The dealership obviouslywill charge the most in labor. I don't want to cut any corners in fixing my problem correctly, but since my car is not under warranty, I'd like to save as much money as possible while at the same time doing the job right.

 

look on allroadfaq.com there is a write up on it. can you get me a bag for 459? I need one. cheapest i found was 505.

 

Oh and by the way, i called AOA, and talked to a advocate, they wont do ****!

 

Well I got her Fixed! Got the front passenger side air spring installed by Tim's German Auto in Fort Worth, TX.

The dealer was going to charge an extra $150 to re-align the car after doing the job for me if I chose them. Tim's technician just laughed and said the intall on mine went flawless and I dont need an alighnment at all...the dealer was just going to try and pull some more money out of my pocket. Hence thats why dealerships are also known as stealerships.

 

how much was the part?

 

Is there a way to know which side of the AR susspension leaks? I got the same problem, but actually did not recognize which side, left or right, leaks.