Hi i have just bought a 2002 passat 1.9 tdi pd sport for towing a caravan. The suspension ride height is lower than a normal passat and im a bit worried about this because the car bottoms out on speed bumps and the mud flaps which i recently fitted also scrape the floor and i can't get the car into my garage because the car ground on the ramp on the way in. i was wondering if i could fit normal ride height springs to my car to cure this thanks

this a job for the suspension professionals
there are coil springs with the air bags already inside the coils that will fit straight in
the thing with air bags is that if inflated to the correct pressure , the height of the springs will not vary as the load is taken by the air bag and not the coil spring
for example heavy vehicles running on air bag suspension retains the same ride height regardless of the load on the vehicle
what you propose is great for towing trailers, caravans etc or carrying heavy loads on the tray at the back

it is at the rear end and looks look a guide rail with a plug I would first try to clean the connector and apply carbon conductive grease/NOT LITHIUM==OR DIELECTRIC THERE THE WRONG STUFF/and see if it responds it's only been there for 161/2 years braving winter after winter and its either still good or done from a lack of attention needed taking it out and really cleaning just might save some$$$$$

Possible failing ignition coil? Need more info.

Hi, You haven't mentioned what age your Sportage is, it may have been fitted with self adjusting rear suspension which will lower the ball height after a few miles of driving with the caravan on. Please check the specification of your Sportage.
Is the kneck of the towbar (the part with the ball on it) like a swan kneck or a traditional bolted on ball? Swan kneck towbars are not usually height adjustable but bolt on balls can be adjusted by fitting a spacer plate which has three different heights. Ideally the caravan should sit level when hitched.

the lt autoride has self adjusting shocks, and the regular lt doesn't. if you look the autoride has airlines going to the shocks.

oil pump may be bad, engine is not pushing oil from bottom to top. Are your lifters ticking?

Bilstein's HD valving is designed to improve handling and stabilitywithout sacrificing ride comfort. They offer superior damping abilitycompared to your O.E. shock or strut, making them ideal for thesportive street driver.

Notes
Complete strut housing. Do not use on lowered vehicles. Priced Each. Order quantity of 2 for a pair.

Bilstein's HD valving is designed to improve handling and stabilitywithout sacrificing ride comfort. They offer superior damping abilitycompared to your O.E. shock or strut, making them ideal for thesportive street driver.

Notes
Do not use on lowered vehicles. Priced Each. Order quantity of 2 for a


pair.


You'll have a better idea if you check Neuspeed's suspension page for your TDI.

It's time to replace the rear shocks. There expensive like $250.00 and up each and if your not going to be towing, most people replace them with a good set of shocks and not the factor OEM air shock which you have for the auto ride height system. If your going to just buy and good set of normal gas shocks. Pull the fuse to     the auto ride system so the light on the dash is off.
Good luck and hope this helps. The auto ride system was there for towing heavy trailers to keep the ride hight. The rear suspension is actually soft so you have a soft ride and the shock keeps it from bouncing. If your not towing heavy or carring heavy loads, you should be fine with a conventional gas shocks and you may find it better. I found the Monroe Reflex shocks to be more stable then the OEM around corners and highway driving.

is switch on?
The air suspension switch and bracket is mounted below the RH side of the instrument panel.

Dealer can run diagnostic test with scan tool for fault codes.
----------

The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and general vehicle performance for static, on-road and off-road driving conditions:

• Ride is improved by using an air type spring (the soft ride is inherent).
• Handling is improved by maintaining constant vehicle attitude.

The system consists of unique rear air springs, the air compressor, air lines, air spring solenoids, height sensor, air suspension control module, attachments and associated signals derived from both driver and road inputs. With these components and signals, the air suspension control module commands changes in vehicle height that are necessary for the load leveling features.
The load leveling feature rear air suspension (RAS) systems shall automatically make adjustments in vehicle height so that the vehicle is always at trim height and constant front-to-rear vehicle attitudes are maintained over the expected load range of the vehicle. Adjustments in height that are necessary to correct height differences between the vehicle's left and right sides for the RAS system shall be restricted to what can be reliably achieved with one air suspension height sensor.
The system uses one air suspension height sensor, a steering sensor, generic electronic module (GEM) and other vehicle sensors to measure driver and road inputs. The system changes vehicle height using an air compressor, two air lines and the use of air springs with air spring solenoids.
The air suspension system holds vehicle height when the rear hatch or any door is opened. The system stores rear vehicle height the moment any open door is detected. The system then maintains this height regardless of the addition or removal of a load. The system will return to its commanded height when all doors are closed or the vehicle speed exceeds 16 km/h (10 mph).
------------------------------------
Air Spring
RAS vehicles use air springs in the rear. The air springs provide a varying spring rate proportional to the systems air pressure and volume. The air suspension system regulates the air pressure in each air spring by compressing and venting the system air. Increasing air pressure (compressing) raises the rear of the vehicle while decreasing air pressure (venting) lowers the rear of the vehicle. Vehicle height is maintained by the addition and removal of air in each air spring through an air spring solenoid installed in the upper spring cap and energized through the air suspension control module.
The two air springs support the conventional rear leaf coil springs.
Air Suspension Height Sensor
One air suspension height sensor is mounted on the vehicle. The air suspension height sensor sends a voltage signal to the air suspension control module. The output ranges from approximately 4.75 volts at minimum height (when the vehicle is low or in full jounce), to 0.25 volts at maximum height (when the vehicle is high or in full rebound). The air suspension height sensor has a useable range of 80 mm (3.2 in) compared to total suspension travel of 200-250 mm (8 to 10 in) at the wheel. Therefore, the air suspension height sensor is mounted to the suspension at a point where full rear suspension travel at the wheel is relative to 80 mm (3.2 in) of travel at the air suspension height sensor. The air suspension height sensor is attached between the No. 5 frame crossmember (upper socket) and the panhard rod (lower socket).
When the air suspension height sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is lower than trim under normal driving conditions, the air compressor will turn on and pump compressed air to the air springs. When the sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is raised above trim under normal driving conditions, this will cause the air to be vented from the air springs to lower the vehicle back to its trim height level.
Compressor Relay
The compressor relay is energized by the air suspension control module to allow high current to flow from the battery to the compressor motor.

• A solid state relay is used in the air suspension system for air compressor control. The relay incorporates a custom power metal oxide semi-conductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and ceramic hybrid circuitry. The relay switches high current loads in response to low power signals and is controlled by the logic of the air suspension control module.

Air Suspension Control Module
NOTE: The 4WAS air suspension control module is used for the RAS system. The internal processor recognizes external circuitry to determine if it is installed in a 4WAS or a RAS equipped vehicle.
NOTE: The air suspension control module is calibrated with information from the air suspension height sensor. A new or exchanged air suspension control module requires a ride height adjustment calibration process to be performed.
The air suspension control module controls the air compressor motor (through a solid state relay), and the air spring solenoids. The air suspension control module also provides power to the air suspension height sensor. The air suspension control module controls vehicle height adjustments by monitoring the air suspension height sensor, vehicle speed, a steering sensor, acceleration input, the door ajar signal, transfer case signals, and the brake pedal position (BPP) switch. The air suspension control module also conducts all fail-safe and diagnostic strategies and contains self-test and communication software for testing the vehicle and related components.
The air suspension control module monitors and controls the air suspension system through a 32-pin two-way connector. The air suspension control module is keyed so that the air suspension control module cannot be plugged into an incorrect harness. There are two sides of the harness connection to the air suspension control module. Each is uniquely colored and keyed to prevent reversing the connections.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual Inspection Chart Mechanical Electrical

• Restricted suspension movement
• Excessive vehicle load
• Cut, severed or crimped air line(s)
• Unmounted height sensor
• Damaged air spring(s)

• Open fuses:
  • Central junction box (CJB) Fuse 4 (15A), 6 (5A) and 20 (5A)
  • Battery junction box (BJB) Fuse 109 (50A)
• Loose, corroded or disconnected connectors
• Air suspension switch is in the OFF position
• Damaged solenoid valve(s)

-----------------------------------------------------------

• The compressor is inoperative

• BJB Fuse 109 (50A).
• Air compressor assembly.
• Circuitry.
• Air suspension relay.

do you have just rear air suspension? here's rear only. 4 wheel different. Deler an run a diagnostic test with WDS machine and get fault codes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and general vehicle performance for static, on-road and off-road driving conditions:

• Ride is improved by using an air type spring (the soft ride is inherent).
• Handling is improved by maintaining constant vehicle attitude.

The system consists of unique rear air springs, the air compressor, air lines, air spring solenoids, height sensor, air suspension control module, attachments and associated signals derived from both driver and road inputs. With these components and signals, the air suspension control module commands changes in vehicle height that are necessary for the load leveling features.
The load leveling feature rear air suspension (RAS) systems shall automatically make adjustments in vehicle height so that the vehicle is always at trim height and constant front-to-rear vehicle attitudes are maintained over the expected load range of the vehicle. Adjustments in height that are necessary to correct height differences between the vehicle's left and right sides for the RAS system shall be restricted to what can be reliably achieved with one air suspension height sensor.
The system uses one air suspension height sensor, a steering sensor, generic electronic module (GEM) and other vehicle sensors to measure driver and road inputs. The system changes vehicle height using an air compressor, two air lines and the use of air springs with air spring solenoids.
The air suspension system holds vehicle height when the rear hatch or any door is opened. The system stores rear vehicle height the moment any open door is detected. The system then maintains this height regardless of the addition or removal of a load. The system will return to its commanded height when all doors are closed or the vehicle speed exceeds 16 km/h (10 mph).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Suspension Height Sensor
One air suspension height sensor is mounted on the vehicle. The air suspension height sensor sends a voltage signal to the air suspension control module. The output ranges from approximately 4.75 volts at minimum height (when the vehicle is low or in full jounce), to 0.25 volts at maximum height (when the vehicle is high or in full rebound). The air suspension height sensor has a useable range of 80 mm (3.2 in) compared to total suspension travel of 200-250 mm (8 to 10 in) at the wheel. Therefore, the air suspension height sensor is mounted to the suspension at a point where full rear suspension travel at the wheel is relative to 80 mm (3.2 in) of travel at the air suspension height sensor. The air suspension height sensor is attached between the No. 5 frame crossmember (upper socket) and the panhard rod (lower socket).
When the air suspension height sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is lower than trim under normal driving conditions, the air compressor will turn on and pump compressed air to the air springs. When the sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is raised above trim under normal driving conditions, this will cause the air to be vented from the air springs to lower the vehicle back to its trim height level
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Uneven vehicle height

• Circuitry.
• Rear pneumatic fault.
• Air compressor assembly.
• Air suspension control module.

• Go To Pinpoint Test I .