SQ5 Air Suspension Failure: Complete Pump Breakdown

I experienced similar air suspension issues with my 2012 A6, which shares many suspension components with your SQ5. Having some experience with air suspension systems, I can share my repair journey. The symptoms matched yours exactly, the car got stuck at its lowest ride height setting and would not respond to level adjustments. The suspension pump had indeed failed, but the root cause was actually simpler than expected. A thorough diagnostic revealed the issue was a faulty wiring connection to the level control module. The repair involved: Testing the air suspension components, Identifying electrical connectivity issues, Replacing damaged wiring and connectors, Recalibrating the ride height sensors Total cost was 95 Euro for the repair, which was surprisingly reasonable since no major components needed replacement. The workshop found no additional air leaks in the system. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Current mileage on your SQ5? Any unusual noises from the suspension area? When did you first notice the load leveling issues? Have you checked if the air suspension fuse is intact? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I encountered or if there might be other underlying problems.

Thanks for sharing the experience. My SQ5 has 188360 KM and had its last service about 4 months ago. I did check the fuse and it seems fine. The suspension issues started quite suddenly last week, with a loud grinding noise from the compressor area before it completely failed. Unlike in your case, I suspect my compressor unit needs full replacement since its making concerning noises when attempting to adjust ride height. I will have it checked at a workshop this week, particularly looking at potential air leaks in the suspension system. Good to know that in some cases the fix can be relatively straightforward and cost-effective.

Your symptoms definitely sound more severe than what I encountered, especially with that grinding noise from the compressor area. In my A6, when the compressor eventually failed completely, it also started with similar grinding sounds. After getting it properly diagnosed, the suspension system needed more extensive repairs than my initial wiring issue. The complete repair included: New air suspension compressor unit, Replacement of dried out air lines, New dryer unit to prevent moisture buildup, Full system calibration Total repair came to 890 Euro, significantly more than my previous repair, but the load leveling system has worked flawlessly since. The workshop found that moisture had entered the system, causing internal corrosion in the compressor, a common issue at higher mileages. With your mileage being similar to what mine was, its probably worth having the entire suspension system inspected while they replace the compressor. This helps prevent future issues with other suspension components that might be reaching their service life. Would be interested to hear what your workshop finds, often these compressor failures can reveal other wear points in the air suspension that should be addressed during the same repair.

Thanks for all the input about the suspension system repairs. After taking it to the workshop, they confirmed what I suspected, the compressor needs complete replacement due to internal damage. The grinding noise was indeed a clear sign of the failing suspension pump. The total estimate came to 1250 Euro, which includes: New air suspension compressor unit, Full inspection of air lines, Replacement of one leaking air spring, System diagnostics and calibration The technician found a small air leak in the rear suspension system that also needs fixing. They recommended addressing both issues at once to prevent future suspension malfunctions. The load leveling system clearly needs a complete overhaul at this mileage point. Will schedule the repair for next week. The car is still driveable but stuck in the lowest setting, which makes it quite uncomfortable. Hoping this comprehensive fix will resolve all the current suspension issues.