Just thought I would put my two cents in. I have an 04 allroad with 165,000 miles.
Both front and back airbags went and the compressor. I love the car so I decided to replace all. I went to buyautoparts.com bought the 4 air bags and compressor for under $1500.00 and it cost me $400.00 labor. My allroad drives like new. The dealer wanted $7000.00 for the same job. Also I should mention you can save $350.00 if you don`t wait for some miracle to fix the leaking air bags replace them when they go to save the cost of the air compressor you will bklow.

 

Hi All
I have just repaired my 2004 Allroad's suspension. Try this first and if it does not work buy the parts and do it yourself.
Firstly from what I have read only the front ones fail.
If the car is not lifting and you here no humming noise from the pump that may be the problem vs a leaking bag.
Step 1
Place vehicle in Park. Start engine. Lift the car to it's highest level.
Step 2
Press both the up and down buttons together until they switch off the system
Switch off engine
Step 3
Jack the front up and stabilize with chocks or trellis units to prevent the car from falling
Step 4
Remove the wheels
Step 5
Spray soapy water on the struts to see if you can see a leak. If not note which side sagged.
Step 6
Unscrew the air line at the top of the strut (beware of loud air escaping noise
Step 7
Put 2 OZ of green slime in through the hole SLIME – Worldwide Leader in Tire Care – Repairing a flat tire? Slime Tire & Tube Sealant
Step 8
Clean threaded area with Q tip
Step 9
Re thread the air line. Do not over tighten
Step 10
Lower vehicle back onto the now securely fastened tires (Fasten correctly to manufacturer specs)
Step 11
Start engine Hold up and down buttons to re switch on the system
Step 12
Test the system by letting it go up and down
Step 13
Switch off the engine if you want to or leave it running. The choice is yours.

If this does not work
see https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_AUDI_yid17.html
for parts and installation videos

If you don't want to do that. See an Audi specialist.

Good luck
Miq

 

I've had the same problem as others .. front end sinks down overnight and I have to go thru a routine of starting the car a couple or several times (it's cold here, 10-20 degrees) watching the light blink, before it would rise up.

Oddly if I left the car on the highest setting it would stay up but if left at the lowest it sinks.

Took the car to a friend/mechanic who did a smoke test on the entire air system. He disconnected the line at the air compressor and blew smoke into the line from there but try as he might he could not see any smoke leaking out anywhere in the system so we were left with questions.

Why would the system not deflate when left on the highest setting?

What else could allow the front to sink if there is not a leak ?

Thanks

Bud

 

This is a leaking airbag, they only leak at low levels due to the way the rubber folds in a different place it opens the cracks, but when at level 4 the rubber is longer and hte cracks are on the straight part and closed so tehy dont leak

use soapy water to look for bubbles (or smoke test) only when the car is sitting at level 1, you can remove the wheel and use a jack to re-create the suspension sitting at level 1,

they leak on the lower half of the rubber where it curves under the shock, check right around the back,

if it sinks quick at level 1 you will be able to hear it, prove its leaking 1st with soapy water then change it

regards

Andy

 

I have to ask if Anybody knows all the ins and outs of the Allroad self leveling/air ride system. I know my pump is weak and I need to try to rebuild it before I just replace it. Now it seems to be acting funny the pump will come on for a few seconds when I turn the car on and then it shuts right back off but the dash light will keep flashing for the normal amount of time before staying solid. Now when the light goes solid then pump then kicks on a runs for the amount of time the light was just flashing and then the system shuts down and stays off. I'm guessing I have to hand my car over to the dealership to get down to the bottom of this but wanted to know if anybody had a good knowledge of this cars system.

 

That is unsussual, the temperature sensor faulty can give this symptom of running only for 3 seconds and shutting off, it should put the error on solid though,

get faults codes 1st before fitting the refurb kit as the compressor should run all the time the light is flashing,

Also check compressor electrical connections and temp sensor electrical connections, as it sounds to be random?? I have seen compressors wiring spliced and joined badly causing running issues, next is check the fuse and relay under the steering wheel for connection issues.

regards

Andy

 

I did check all the connection to the pump everything is clean nothing growing on them or no "repairs" in the wires from anyone in the cars past and I did checked all 3 plugs as i was under the car looking. I Wasn't able to find any resistance values for the temp sensor or the solenoid. now the pump builds no pressure at first if I unplug it from the car and jumper it to a separate battery for a few minutes its tone will change and it will build pressure and can lift the car but the above stated problem now prevents the car from lifting after the pump as been primed to work.

 

As an update to my earlier entry I also tried the Slime route and so far (one week in) it's working. The car holds overnight at any level. Used 4-6 ounces on ether side

 

Well bagpipingandy when the weather warmed a little here the system went back to working its old normal half broken way so the rebuild kits ordered to help the pump build pressure in less then 5 minutes so the car stops sinking when it does its system checks wile the pumps cold and weak

 

ok keep us updated with progress, it should get that tired compressor blowing again!

see here how to fit the kit to get the tools ready!!

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

regards

Andy