2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur - suspension goes up and down continuously

Autoworks · Sep 5, 2019

This Bentley came in with a blown right front front air spring. We replaced both front air springs/struts with rebuilt Arnott units and now the front end of the car goes all the way up and all way down continuously until the compressor overheats and shuts down. If the vehicle is put in jack mode at just the right moment the front end will stay up for days without dropping at all, so there are no leaks. We replaced the valve block with a genuine replacement and it didn't change the behavior at all. All of the sensors are in good shape, arms move freely and when checked in measuring blocks with car in the air and arms disconnected the sensors sweep as expected with no gaps etc.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Code:

 Thursday,05,September,2019,10:50:16:07245
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 10 x64
VCDS Version: 19.6.1.0 (x64)
Data version: 20190529 DS308.0
www.Ross-Tech.com


VIN: SCBBR53W46C036747   License Plate: FAZ
Mileage: 128310km-79728mi   Repair Order: murray



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Chassis Type: 3W (3W - Bentley Continental (2004 > 2007))
Scan: 01 02 03 05 06 07 08 09 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 23 26 28 34 36
          37 38 46 47 53 54 57 65 66 68 69 6C 71 75 76 77
 
VIN: SCBBR53W46C036747   Mileage: 128310km-79728miles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine        Labels: 07C-906-018-BEB1.clb
   Part No SW: 07C 906 018 DJ    HW:             
   Component: BY-6.0L-TT      G  ª7951  
   Revision: 26ÿTT       Serial number:  000-00012.07.
   Coding: 0000173
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 08192
   VCID: 70EF9C2760BF5ECF69-5140

No fault code found.
Readiness: 0110 0101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans        Labels: 09E-927-156.lbl
   Part No SW: 09E 927 760 F    HW: GS1 904 01
   Component: AG6 09E 6.0L W12TT  1908  
   Coding: 0000101
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 3365532B512925D754-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 3W0-614-517-V1.lbl
   Part No: 3W0 614 517 D
   Component: ESP 5.7 4WD     H01 0021  
   Coding: 0006878
   Shop #: WSC 05015 000 00000
   VCID: 36636A3F425B30FF73-5122

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 05: Acc/Start Auth.        Labels: 3D0-909-13x-05.lbl
   Part No SW: 3D0 909 137 C    HW: 5WK 484 97
   Component: 4B Kessy            6700  
   Revision: 67005715    Serial number: VWZ3Z0E7429349
   Coding: 0405741
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 275DB77B95F15977F8-5140

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: XXXXXXXXXXX 
   Component: ELV                 XXXX

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 06: Seat Mem. Pass        Labels: 3D0-959-759.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 959 759 C
   Component: Sitzmemory D1 BF    1720  
   Coding: 0000003
   Shop #: WSC 05015 104 60911
   VCID: 36636A3F425B30FF73-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 07: Control Head        Labels: 3D0-035-00x-07.lbl
   Part No: 3W0 035 008 F
   Component:    ZAB COCKPIT      0251  
   Coding: 0500325
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 306F5C27A03F1ECF29-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC        Labels: None
   Part No: 3W5 907 040 C
   Component: Climatronic BY611   2020  
   Coding: 0000102
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 36636A3F425B30FF73-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect.        Labels: 3D0-937-049-V1.clb
   Part No: 3D0 937 049 H
   Component: STG.Bordnetz        5101  
   Coding: 0000105
   Shop #: WSC 05016 104 75110
   VCID: 2F6D5F5BBD01013730-5140

1 Fault Found:
00907 - Intervention load Management 
            000 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 11: Engine II        Labels: 07C-906-018-BEB2.clb
   Part No SW: 07C 906 018 DJ    HW:             
   Component: BY-6.0L-TT      G  ª7951  
   Revision: 28ÿTT       Serial number:  000-00012.07.
   Coding: 0000173
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 08192
   VCID: 70EF9C2760BF5ECF69-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags        Labels: 3D0-909-601.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 909 601 E
   Component: 12 Airbag 8.4E+ H10 0947  
   Coding: 0012594
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 2541BD73EFFD4B67CA-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel        Labels: 3D0-953-549.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 953 549 D
   Component: Lenksäulenmodul     3401  
   Coding: 0000012
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 2E53425FBA0B083F3B-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments        Labels: 3Wx-920-xxx-17.lbl
   Part No: 3W5 920 840 E
   Component: KOMBIINSTRUMENT RB8 0610  
   Coding: 0023303
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 3B757B0B7979ED978C-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway        Labels: 6N0-909-901-19.lbl
   Part No: 6N0 909 901 
   Component: Gateway K<>CAN      0101  
   Coding: 0000006
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 70EF9C2760BF5ECF69-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 28: HVAC, Rear        Labels: None
   Part No: 3W5 907 049 A
   Component: Rear HVAC Head Unit 0004  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 3D717513676DE3A7B2-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 34: Level Control        Labels: 3Wx-907-553-34.clb
   Part No: 3W5 907 553 
   Component: LUFTFDR.-CDC- 3C3V0 7032  
   Coding: 0005551
   Shop #: WSC 05016 104 175110
   VCID: 7CF7B8173CF72AAFC5-515E

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr        Labels: 3D0-959-760.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 959 760 CA
   Component: Sitzmemory D1 F     1720  
   Coding: 0000004
   Shop #: WSC 05015 104 60911
   VCID: 6FED9F5B7D81413770-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation        Labels: None
   Part No: 3W0 919 887 A
   Component:    NAVIGATION       0185  
   Coding: 0400000
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 45811DF30FBDAB67EA-515E

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 38: Roof Electronics        Labels: None
   Part No: 3W0 907 135 E
   Component: Dachmodul           0707  
   Coding: 0000045
   Shop #: WSC 05015 104 60911
   VCID: 387F6407484FC68F61-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 3D0-959-933.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 959 933 F
   Component: 4X HSG              0101  
   Coding: 0000040
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 3365532B512925D754-4B00

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 3W5 959 701 B
   Component: Tuersteuergeraet FS 1001

   Subsystem 2 - Part No: 3W5 959 702 B
   Component: Tuersteuergeraet BF 1001

   Subsystem 3 - Part No: 3W5 959 703 A
   Component: Tuersteuergeraet HL 1001

   Subsystem 4 - Part No: 3W5 959 704 A
   Component: Tuersteuergeraet HR 1001

   Subsystem 5 - Part No: 3W0 909 610 E
   Component: SX HDSG             1707

   Subsystem 6 - Part No: 7L0 907 719 A
   Component:    Neigungssensor   0020

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 47: Sound System        Labels: 7Lx-035-4xx-47.lbl
   Part No: 3W5 035 456 A
   Component: 12K-AUDIOVERST      0006  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 377D673B4551C9F768-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 53: Parking Brake        Labels: 3W0-907-801.clb
   Part No SW: 3W0 907 801 D    HW: 3W0 907 801 D
   Component: EPB  BC6HX24    HC6 X240  
   Coding: 0022401
   Shop #: WSC 05015 104 60911
   VCID: 377D673B4551C9F768-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 65: Tire Pressure        Labels: Redir Fail!
   Part No: 3W7 907 273 
   Component: Reifendruckueberw.  0003  
   Coding: 0470311
   Shop #: WSC 00083 000 00000
   VCID: 7DF1B51327ED23A7F2-515E

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 66: Seat, Rear        Labels: None
   Part No: 3D0 959 860 C
   Component: Sitzmemory D1 H     1724  
   Coding: 0000001
   Shop #: WSC 05015 104 60911
   VCID: 2F6D5F5BBD01013730-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 68: Wiper Electr.        Labels: 3Wx-955-023.clb
   Part No: 3W5 955 023 B
   Component: Wischermodul       ª8326  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 725 65552
   VCID: 397961037345DF879E-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 71: Battery Charger        Labels: 3D0-915-181.lbl
   Part No: 3D0 915 181 D
   Component: Batteriemanagement  2800  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 2447A077E4C7B26FDD-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 76: Park Assist        Labels: Redir Fail!
   Part No: 3W0 919 283 A
   Component: 03 Einparkhilfe     0306  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 3B757B0B7979ED978C-5140

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 77: Telephone        Labels: None
   Part No SW: 3W0 035 385 J    HW: 3W0 035 385 J
   Component: rSAP ECU            0037  
   Coding: 0000272
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 3C7778177C77EAAF85-5140

No fault code found.

End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 07:15)--------------------------

Uwe · Sep 5, 2019

I have no idea what would cause it to do that, but welcome to the forum. That's a nice first post; complete Auto-Scan wrapped in CODE tags.

-Uwe-

DrPeter · Sep 5, 2019

Hello,

Thank you for the question and posting your Auto-Scan.

This Bentley came in with a blown right front front air spring. We replaced both front air springs/struts with rebuilt Arnott units and now the front end of the car goes all the way up and all way down continuously until the compressor overheats and shuts down.

- Question, did you perform the Suspension Level Control Calibration after you replaced these parts?

If not you will need to perform Suspension Level Control Calibration, as per the Official Factory repair manuals, this should be done when any part of this vehicle's suspension is replaced, repaired, adjusted, etc.. Make sure the vehicle is out of Jack mode before attempting the calibration.

If the during the calibration a value is not accepted, be sure the wheel for that value is not displaying an abnormally high or low value in the Measuring Value Block group [005].

The calibration values will be rejected if a single value or the total sum of all the values exceeds the plausible threshold limits of the Suspension controller.

Let us know how this works out for you,

drpeter

Autoworks · Sep 5, 2019

DrPeter,

We have tried to do this calibration at least 3 times, the vehicle stops moving up and down once the calibration is started. We calibrate it as per the proper procedures, all values are accepted and plausible, they save properly. When we hit done it just starts cycling again, goes from max lift to max low over and over again. Still no fault codes in any modules. It did this immediately after replacing the front air struts and has never behaved normally for us since then, no matter what we do. To get the car around while at the shop we can put it in jack mode, and worth mentioning is even in jack mode it goes to the max height and stays there. The rear seems to be behaving normally. At this point we are thinking it could have something to do with the Arnott replacement air struts. Any ideas?

DrPeter · Sep 5, 2019

Hi,

Okay, interesting... So I am thinking it maybe necessary to post up a Controller Channels Map of the [34: Level Control] so we can 'see' what is happening with the values, something sounds off.

Use this link to go to this Ross-Tech webpage to see what a Controller Channels Map is all about.

Under the [Auto-Scan] button is the [Applications] button on the main screen of VCDS.

Once you have the Controller Channels Map popup, enter [34] in the "Single Controller Address", select "Measuring values" and "Adaptations" and "Pre-label file", (no security access code needed), then press [Go!].

VCDS will now make map files for both "Measuring values" and "Adaptations" channels. When Done, there will be two new files in the \Ross-Tech\VCDS\Logs folder, a [PLA] and a [PLB]. Please post the contents of these files so we can have a look... I suspect we may see something that would give us a clue as to what is going on.

By the way... I have replaced several of these Air Struts on the Bentley vehicles with the same replacement brand you have and have had good results. They require nothing special, so I doubt they are the cause at this time.

Thank you,

drpeter

Jack@European_Parts · Sep 5, 2019

Seen this before being bad suspension sensor for ride height with corrosion in it or faulty module from the same.

Did you simulate a static resistance reading to see or try alternate sensor?

I measure all distances of sensors to control arms with my own timing marks & unplug the air pump and ride sensors in air and simulate the values achieved to set & test my stuff manually and to check that adaption takes.

Then with test harness I made with new set of sensors I set them simultaneously while watching VCDS blocks and set to make sure stupid stuff like this is the controller or wiring is all good and not burning the battery or pump.

Autoworks · Sep 6, 2019

DrPeter,

Did the logs this morning. Here is a link. I'm very interested to know if you see anything.

Watching the car this morning it's interesting that the front pumps up, gets to ride height, the pump turns off, then it continues to raise all the way to max level, then the valve block clicks and vents and the car drops to approx the correct ride level and sits there for a moment then falls to the lowest level and it all starts over again.

Thanks.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CTepXoHSjjJA2etfChpgJ4-Q2PULn1P6?usp=sharing

MasterTommy · Sep 6, 2019

What I would do is read suspension travel values during this behavior, and all other pressure/distance values related to the air suspension module’s idea of whats going on.

DrPeter · Sep 7, 2019

Hello,

Thanks for posting up the channel map logs.

I can see in the MVB group [004], "Deviation from Nominal Vehicle Height", the two front sensors are indicating an average [-47.5mm] deviation and the rear are within [1.0mm]. This would indicate the system would want to raise the front end up and the information in MVB [009] does confirm this, fields (2,3 & 4).

The values in MVB group [005] would indicate a plausible rife height sensor value at the time this information was captured.

The compressor seems to be healthy with 12.37bar of pressure indicated in MVB [006], so that is good.

Was the front end down a bit (almost 2 inches/47mm) compared to the rear of the vehicle, at the time this was information was captured? If not how are you entering the values during that Ride Height Adaptation? Are you measuring them in millimeters and the using that value? As seen in this video?

Suspension Leveling Calibration

Coding looks plausible, all the other information in the MVBs looks to be within expected ranges for a Level Control System that is operating as correctly.

You can try an recode the controller or even disconnect the power for 30 min and then reconnect in an attempt to 'clear out' the controller.

It would be interesting to see what happened if you use the Adaptation Channel [010] for the "Level Control System Deactivation", does the system still try and adjust?, it should not.

Note: This Channel allows you to activate/deactivate the Level Control System completely. Altering this Setting will also clear all learned Height Calibration Settings!

This is an interesting one, you may have to try a known good J197-Level Control controller, but I would verify the Suspension Adaptation procedure is being done as per the procedure in the aforementioned video.

Let us know how this works out for you,

drpeter

ps.... check out the stuff in post #6

Autoworks · Sep 18, 2019

After consulting with Arnott they recommended we replace the front airstruts again as one of them likely had a faulty valve. We replaced them this morning and the problem is gone.

Jack@European_Parts · Sep 18, 2019

Also a reason to use factory units and test stuff mechanically before and even after install.

Induced FOD wins again!

Did you ask them for a blueprint of this alleged valve?

How many air lines do you have per strut?

2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur - suspension goes up and down continuously

Autoworks

Verified VCDS User

Uwe

Benevolent Dictator

DrPeter

Ross-Tech Employee

Autoworks

Verified VCDS User

DrPeter

Ross-Tech Employee

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten

Autoworks

Verified VCDS User

MasterTommy

Verified VCDS User

DrPeter

Ross-Tech Employee

Autoworks

Verified VCDS User

Jack@European_Parts

Gone But Not Forgotten