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I received my VCDS yesterday and have now tried to familiarise myself with it.
I could not see any errors related to the suspension on the first check. The second time, I placed the vehicle in Jack Mode, which is when I receive the "LEVEL FAULT WORKSHOP!" notification (attached picture). On my second scan, it did register a new fault, which I have also attached a picture of. Clearing that fault and restarting the car, and putting Jack Mode back in, makes it come back again. But I don't understand what "CONTROL SWITCHED OFF" would mean, isn't that the whole point of Jack Mode?
It still rides bumpy/clunky over the tiniest of road imperfections, so nothing has changed there.
Any suggestions on what to check next? Thankful for your kind help.
I find it very odd that all was fine, then they put it on the lift to perform the work, and now the ride is horrible.
I would be checking the following before going into front suspension parts, especially if the ride was as good as you say prior to work performed.
1) Tire pressure as already stated.
2) Check the level links (rods) from the body to the lower control arm for proper hookup at both ends, while in there make sure that the plug is seated properly on each level sensor, I only say this because we have no idea what they touched.
3) Check the electrical connection plugs at the top of each strut under the hood/bonnet for proper connection.
4) Run a scan of the level control module #34 for any faults and clear them if any, maybe if you are comfortable with RT VCDS put the suspension through it's test/actions from the drop down menu in VCDS.
As far as the ride difference of the four stages from comfort to sport, it is not just the inflation and deflation of the air bags mounted on the outside of the struts, it is the struts themselves that give the comfort to sport ride via the electronic dampening valves in each strut, when the struts are unplugged, the ride is harsh, I just had that myself as I stated in my rebuild thread, how I plugged the wrong connector onto the driver's side strut with that extra spare plug we all have lying around in our scuttle area.
Then I may start looking at the front end bushings and such, who knows, maybe by the wheels hanging it was the last straw for the upper, lower control arms, and or links.
Johnny
I haven't had too much time to play with VCDS yet today, aside from checking & clearing fault codes, but I'm very curious about the drop down menu you mentioned regarding the suspension tests. Thanks!
It turns out that I had two weak front end bushings, on what I believe is called the rear control arms. They switched out the control arms with new ones, from Audi I think it was, and the clunky noise is now gone.
However, I still feel like the suspension is very stiff. It doesn't ride like a Cadillac, if I put it that way. And I feel like a Bentley with air suspension should have a much smoother ride, especially over just minor bumps in the road.
Johnny, is there a guide to checking the suspension with VCDS?
The fault code only comes on once I place the vehicle in Jack Mode, which I find odd? I haven't tried the VCDS since I replaced the control arms, but I will have time for that this weekend.
