Audi Air Suspension Failure Causing Uneven Ride

Had almost the exact same issue with my 2012 Audi S7 last year. I have some experience working on cars but the control module and height sensor diagnostics were beyond my skill level. The ride height was clearly off and the leveling system kept throwing errors. After scanning, the workshop found a defective control rod on one of the height sensors. The connection between the sensor and suspension arm had worn out, causing incorrect readings. Total repair cost was 110 Euro, mainly labor since the part itself was relatively inexpensive. The fix took about 2 hours and solved all the symptoms, uneven stance, harsh ride, and warning lights disappeared. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Have you noticed if the height issue is worse after the car sits overnight? Does the automotive suspension make any unusual noises when driving over bumps? Are you getting any specific error codes from your scan tool? This would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something else in the leveling system.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the air suspension problems. Current mileage is 80293 KM and car has had its last major service 3 months ago. Based on overnight observation, the height difference becomes more noticeable after long parking periods. The leveling sensor issue seems worse in cold weather. The suspension makes a knocking sound over speed bumps, especially on the passenger side. Scan codes point to P1507 and C1134 which relate to the height adjustment system. Dealer quoted 890 Euro for a complete diagnostic and potential control module replacement, which seems excessive compared to your repair cost. Could you share more details about which diagnostic tools your workshop used? Want to ensure I am heading to a shop that can properly assess the leveling sensor issues rather than just throwing parts at the problem.

Thanks for the additional details. Looking at those error codes and symptoms, your issue seems more complex than what I dealt with but still likely within the height adjustment system. The key difference I notice is the knocking sound, my issue had the uneven stance and error codes but no unusual suspension noises. This could indicate your load sensor or leveling sensor mounting points have deteriorated more severely than mine did. The workshop that fixed my car used a VAG-specific diagnostic system to monitor the control module readings in real-time while adjusting the suspension height. This was crucial for pinpointing the exact location of the faulty sensor. Basic scan tools often miss the detailed suspension calibration data. 890 Euro does sound steep considering the symptoms. A competent shop should be able to diagnose the leveling sensor issues for much less. My workshop first tested the height adjustment system with their diagnostic tool (around 120 Euro) before determining the exact fix needed. Given the mileage and cold weather correlation, I would suggest having them specifically check: All 4 height sensors and their mounting points, The wiring harness connections to the control module, The suspension load sensors calibration This systematic approach helped avoid unnecessary parts replacement in my case.

Based on your detailed height sensor info and the repair cost comparison, I think I have some better perspective now. The knocking sound is really concerning me since it wasnt present in your situation, and my suspension seems to be getting worse in cold conditions. Given the mileage on my S6 and the multiple symptoms pointing to the leveling system, I will probably start with a shop that can do proper control module diagnostics rather than going straight to the dealer. Your experience shows it could just be a load sensor or mounting issue rather than needing the full 890 Euro repair. Will look for a workshop with VAG-specific tools to properly assess the ride height problems. The systematic diagnostic approach you mentioned makes a lot more sense than jumping straight to replacing major components. Thanks for helping me understand what to expect and what questions to ask about their diagnostic capabilities. Just reached out to another local shop that specializes in air suspension work. They quoted 150 Euro for full height adjustment system diagnostics, which seems more reasonable. Will update once I know more about the exact issue with the leveling system.