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tildatiger1

A3 Suspension Collapse: Load Leveling Failure Alert

My A3 from 2022 (155105km, gasoline) is showing serious suspension system issues that worry me after a previous bad mechanic experience. The car wont lift anymore and is clearly leaning. The load leveling seems completely off, with low beams pointing wrong and warning lights in the dash. My guess is suspension pump or compressor failure causing all this. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms and found a reliable fix? Would love to hear your experiences before choosing a repair shop.

Summary of the thread

The conversation centers on a 2022 A3 experiencing suspension collapse and load leveling failure, with symptoms including the car leaning, incorrect low beam alignment, and warning lights. The initial suspicion is a suspension pump or compressor failure. A similar case with an A4 revealed a faulty connection between the level control sensor and the suspension control module, requiring specialized diagnostic equipment for repair. Ultimately, the A3's issues were resolved by replacing the suspension pump, fixing air leaks, and installing a new control module, highlighting the importance of consulting a specialist for accurate diagnosis and repair.

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4 comment(s)

romythunder18

Had similar suspension system malfunction on my 2019 Audi A4 with air suspension. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, complete failure of the load leveling system and inability to adjust ride height. The root cause was a faulty connection between the level control sensor and the suspension control module. The air suspension system needs proper signals from these sensors to maintain correct vehicle height. When the connection fails, the system cant regulate properly. This required removing the wheel well liner to access the wiring harness and replacing damaged connectors. Not a simple DIY job as it needs specialized diagnostic equipment to recalibrate the system after repair. While this is a serious issue affecting vehicle stability and safety, the fix is straightforward once properly diagnosed. The important part is finding a shop with experience in air suspension systems, as incorrect repairs can cause further damage to the compressor and other components. Would recommend having it checked soon, as continued driving with malfunctioning load leveling can stress other suspension components and create more expensive problems.

tildatiger1 (community.author)

Thanks for sharing that experience with the A4 air suspension. My A3 had nearly identical symptoms last winter, completely lost ability to adjust ride height and the compressor was making strange noises. After diagnosis, the main culprit was air leaks in multiple suspension components, but the compressor had also failed from constantly trying to compensate. The shop had to replace both the compressor and some air lines. The system works perfectly now with proper ride height adjustment. Did you track roughly what the total repair cost came to in your case? Also curious if youve had any other air suspension issues pop up since getting it fixed? Just want to know what to watch out for going forward with these systems.

romythunder18

After getting my A4 properly diagnosed, the suspension system issue turned out to be much simpler than initially feared. The compressor failure was actually caused by a damaged cable connection that was preventing proper communication between components. Once the mechanic identified this, fixing the faulty wiring solved the problem completely. The total repair cost was surprisingly reasonable at 95 Euro, mainly covering diagnostic time and the electrical repair. Since fixing that connection, the air struts and load leveling have worked flawlessly for over a year now. No more irregular ride height or warning lights. Unlike your experience with multiple air leaks, my suspension components were all in good condition. The compressor only seemed faulty because it wasnt receiving proper signals. Regular inspection of the air suspension system is still important though, as catching small issues early can prevent more extensive repairs later.

tildatiger1 (community.author)

Wanted to update everyone on how this turned out. Finally took my A3 to a certified shop that specializes in air suspension systems. The mechanic found multiple issues, the suspension pump was failing and there were significant air leaks in several suspension components. The load leveling problems turned out to be caused by both the leaks and a worn control module. The repair included replacing the suspension pump, fixing all air leaks, and installing a new control unit. Total cost came to 1200 Euro but the difference in performance is remarkable. The ride height now stays perfectly level and all warning lights are gone. The low beams are properly aligned again thanks to the restored load leveling system. Most importantly, no more strange noises from the suspension components when adjusting height. For anyone facing similar issues, would strongly recommend going straight to a specialist rather than risking a regular shop potentially making things worse. The right diagnosis made all the difference in getting it fixed properly the first time.

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AUDI

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A3