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timschmid19

Audi S7 Air Suspension Failure: Common Fix Alert

My 2017 Audi S7 has developed noticeable ride comfort issues along with warning lights. The vehicle suspension feels unusually bumpy, and the dampening seems off. The speedometer cluster shows a warning light, and scanning revealed damping adjustment faults in the error memory. Has anyone experienced similar car handling problems? Would be great to hear about specific repairs that fixed it, especially regarding the damping system. Looking to understand what parts typically fail and the repair costs involved before heading to a workshop. The car was perfectly fine until last week, and the suspension failure happened quite suddenly. Wondering if this indicates a specific component that commonly fails in these systems. What should I specifically ask the workshop to check, and what was your repair experience?

4 comment(s)

norbertlight9

Having experienced similar damping control issues with my 2019 Audi S6, I can share some relevant insights from a fellow enthusiast with some experience in VAG suspension systems. The symptoms you describe match what I encountered, deteriorating ride comfort and warning lights related to the suspension system. In my case, the root cause was a faulty wiring connection to the damping control module. The repair was straightforward and cost 95 Euro for diagnosing and fixing the cable connection. Before throwing parts at the problem, have the workshop specifically check: Wiring harness connections to shock absorbers, Sensor connections at each corner, Main damping control module plugs, Ground connections for the system The sudden onset of the issue often points to electrical connections rather than mechanical shock absorber failure. However, to provide more specific guidance, could you share: Current mileage, Any recent work done on the suspension, Whether the warning appears consistently or intermittently, If you notice the issue more at certain speeds or road conditions These details would help narrow down whether your case matches what I experienced or if it might be a different component in the system.

timschmid19 (Author)

Last service performed at 85000 KM, and after reviewing previous responses I agree the symptoms point to electrical issues. My vehicle suspension behaves similarly but the warning appears only intermittently, usually after driving for about 15 minutes. The car damping feels particularly harsh on uneven surfaces. The suspension failure varies with speed, more noticeable above 80 KM/h. Have not had any previous suspension issues or repairs until now at 90159 KM. The local diagnostic tool shows error code 02742 which relates to the damper control module. I will ask the workshop to inspect those specific connection points and wiring. From what you described, I am hopeful it could be a simpler fix than complete suspension system replacement.

norbertlight9

Thanks for the additional details, those symptoms do align closely with what I experienced, particularly the intermittent warnings and harsh damping control after driving for a while. The error code you mentioned is exactly what my diagnostic showed too. In my S6, the issue was most noticeable at highway speeds just like yours. The workshop found that heat from normal driving was causing a damaged wire in the damping control harness to expand and lose connection, explaining why the warning appeared after driving for some time. Given your similar mileage (mine was at 87000 KM) and identical error code, I strongly suspect you are dealing with the same electrical connection issue rather than failed suspension components. My ride comfort returned to normal immediately after the wiring repair. When they check your car, make sure they: Test the wiring while the system is hot, Inspect the harness routing for any spots where it might contact moving parts, Verify all grounds are clean and tight, Check connector seals for moisture intrusion The complete diagnostic and repair took about 2 hours at my workshop. Much better than replacing expensive suspension parts unnecessarily. Total cost including labor was 180 Euro in my case.

timschmid19 (Author)

I appreciate the detailed response and shared experience. After hearing about your similar case with the S6, I feel more confident about my next steps with the suspension issue. The matching error code and similar timing of the warning lights appearing is particularly reassuring. Looking at the car handling problems and comparing them to your experience, I will definitely have the workshop focus on the electrical connections first. The fact that my suspension tuning issues started showing up after driving for a while matches your diagnosis of heat-related wiring problems. I have booked an appointment with my workshop for next week and provided them the specific checklist you mentioned. They confirmed they can perform the wiring tests while the system is warm, which seems crucial for proper diagnosis. The potential repair cost of 180 Euro is significantly better than what I feared might be needed for a complete suspension system overhaul. I will update the forum once the repair is complete to confirm if it was indeed the same wiring issue affecting the ride comfort. Thanks for helping me avoid potentially unnecessary parts replacement. Having this information before the workshop visit is incredibly valuable.

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