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nele_eule1

Audi SQ8 Air Suspension Failure & Dead Compressor Alert

Vehicle is not standing upright or is leaning to one side

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Headlamp leveller malfunction

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Fault stored

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The vehicle's air suspension no longer lifts

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Warning light in the speedometer of the vehicle

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Error message in the speedometer

My SQ8 (2019, gas, 37784km) suddenly dropped on one side and wont lift anymore. The air suspension seems completely dead, with error messages lighting up the dash and messed up headlight alignment. Pretty sure the air suspension compressor is toast since I hear no pump sound at all. Anyone dealt with this before? Trying to avoid another bad workshop experience and wondering what repair costs I should expect.

4 comment(s)


lindaice47

The symptoms you describe match exactly what happened with my S7 (2022) last winter. The sudden drop on one side combined with no compressor sound typically indicates either a severe air leak or complete compressor failure in the air suspension system. When this happened to my vehicle, the issue turned out to be more than just the compressor. The main control unit had corroded connection pins, which caused the system to shut down completely. The malfunction triggered multiple error codes and affected the automatic headlight leveling. The repair required: Full diagnostic scan, Removal and replacement of air suspension compressor, Cleaning and resealing of control unit connections, Testing all suspension components for potential air leaks, System recalibration This was definitely a serious repair requiring specialized equipment and expertise. After fixing, its important to check all suspension components regularly, as one failure can lead to excessive wear on other parts. The root cause in my case was moisture entering the electrical connections. Be aware that if your compressor has failed, running the car in this condition can damage other suspension components.

nele_eule1 (Author)

Wow, the issue you described sounds identical to what I faced with my Audi SQ8 a few months back. The suspension system just gave up, creating that exact same uneven stance. My load leveling system was completely unresponsive too. The workshop found multiple issues beyond the faulty compressor, including problems with air lines and control module connections. After the repair, the car rides perfectly again and the suspension works flawlessly. Did you track how much the total repair ended up costing? Also curious if youve had any recurring issues with the air suspension since getting it fixed?

lindaice47

Just got the final invoice for my SQ8 repair last week. Thankfully, the air suspension compressor failure turned out to be much simpler than initially feared. The malfunction was traced to a faulty cable connection at the compressor unit, which the workshop fixed for just 95 Euro. Since the repair, the ride height has remained perfectly stable with no air leaks or error messages. The suspension system is working exactly as it should, and the headlight alignment issue has completely resolved. Much better outcome than expected, especially compared to the extensive repairs my car needed earlier. I make sure to listen for any unusual sounds from the compressor during height adjustments now, but everything has been running smoothly for the past month. Regular maintenance should help prevent similar issues from developing again.

nele_eule1 (Author)

The repair journey was better than expected. While I initially feared a complete air suspension system overhaul, the actual fix was straightforward. I took the car to a specialist workshop that diagnosed the exact issue within an hour. The technician found that corroded wiring was preventing proper communication between the compressor and control unit. The total repair came to 450 Euro, covering new wiring, labor, and a system diagnostic. The air struts themselves were perfectly fine, which saved significant costs. After the repair, my SQ8s load leveling works flawlessly again with no error messages. The workshop also showed me how to spot early warning signs of suspension issues, like uneven wear patterns or unusual noises during height adjustments. Its been running perfectly for 3 months now. The suspension maintains proper ride height and the headlights stay properly aligned. Much better outcome than my previous experiences with other shops.

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