Technical Service Bulletin
43 Self-leveling compressor inoperative
43 12 11 2018765/7 October 29, 2012. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 43 number 12-08 dated
February 2, 2012 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

A6 (C6)

2004 - 2008

A8 (D3)

2004 - 2010

Q7

2007 - 2011

A6 (C7)

2013

A7 (C7)

2013

A8 (D4)

2011 - 2013

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

Air Suspension

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

7

10/25/2012

Revised header data (added models and model years)
Revised Warranty

6

2/2/2012

Revised Warranty

5

9/10/2010

Revised header data (Model years)

4

10/27/2009

Revised header data (Added Model year 2010)

3

12/11/2008

Revised Service

2

11/3/2008

Revised Title to include Repair Group

 The self-leveling system cannot be adjusted any more with the MMI.
 The compressor for the self-leveling system continues to run after switching off the engine and locking the
vehicle.
 One of the following DTCs may be stored:
 DTC 0453 (restricted function through excess temperature).

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© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
 DTC 1583 (leak in the system recognized).
 DTC 1770 (sender for compressor temperature of self-leveling control G290).
 DTC 1772 (signal cable of pressure sender for self-leveling control G291).
 DTC 2645 (valves for self-leveling control).
 DTC 2646 (plausibility of self-leveling control).

Technical Background
Because of poor performance or failure of the compressor for air suspension, the vehicle position cannot be
adjusted. As a safeguard, the control module will lower the vehicle to the lowest position and illuminate the
warning light. Drivability is not affected.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
1. Use a direct current supply to check the compressor for the self-leveling system.
2. See the current flow diagram for the locations of the relay and the compressor.
3. Check the relay J403 of the compressor for the self-leveling system.

Page 2 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
4. Open the relay and assess the
contacts. Compare them with the
contacts of Figures 1 to 3.
Is the wear is similar, or are there burn
marks in the housing?
If the relay resembles Figures 1 to 3,
replace the compressor and relay J403
for the self-leveling system.

Figure 1. Strong erosion of both contacts.

Figure 2. Strong erosion of both contacts.

Figure 3. Strong erosion of the spring contact.

Page 3 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
5. Discoloring of the strand is also a clear
indication of permanent operation of the
compressor (Figure 4).
Replace the compressor and relay J403
for the self-leveling system.

Figure 4. Overheated strand.
6. If the contacts resemble those in Figure
5 and the compressor has a working
noise similar to a comparable vehicle,
replace only the opened relay J403 for
the self-leveling system.

Figure 5. Contacts with minor marks; relay OK.

Warranty
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. Vehicle may be outside any warranty, in which
case this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only.

Service Number:

4315

Damage Code:

0040

Labor Operations:

A6 (2005 – 2008):

Page 4 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Compressor remove and 4315 1950

70 TU

install
Or
Compressor remove and 4315 1951
install with charge air

90 TU

cooler
Front bumper cover

6329 1900

90 TU

Central electronics cover 9793 1900

70 TU

remove and install

remove and install
Relay for suspension

4315 1999

10 TU

Compressor remove and 4315 1900

90 TU

compressor inspect
A8 V8 (2004 – 2010):

install
Shelf under dash panel

6818 1900

50 TU

4315 1999

10 TU

remove and install
Relay for suspension
compressor inspect
S8 and W12 (2005 – 2010):
Compressor remove and 4315 1950

70 TU

install
Lock carrier loosened

5038 0900

160 TU

and fastened
Audi Q7:
Compressor remove and 4315 1900

70 TU

install

Page 5 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Shelf under dash panel

6818 1900

30 TU

4315 1999

10 TU

remove and install
Relay for suspension
compressor inspect
A8 (model year 2011 forward)
Compressor remove and 4315 1900

50 TU

install
Shelf under dash panel

6818 1900

30 TU

4315 1999

10 TU

remove and install
Relay for suspension
compressor inspect
S6 / S7 (model year 2013 forward):
Compressor remove and 4315 9999

60 TU

install
Relay for suspension

4315 1999

20 TU

0150 0000

Time stated on

compressor inspect
Diagnostic Time:

GFF

diagnostic protocol (10
TU Max)
Road test prior to

No allowance

0 TU

No allowance

0 TU

service procedure
Road test after service
procedure
Technical diagnosis at dealer’ s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance
details)
Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2018765/7

Page 6 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures

Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with
your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

Page 7 of 7
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights
of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without
the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.