For those of you with air suspension on your T1/2 you might be interested in following this on-going thread over on Club Touareg:

1. Hello everybody

Hi Nooby
I've spent the last few days checking out the forum and numerous other sites to get an understanding of the intricacies of the air suspension on my 2007 Treg.
Over the last week I've had repeated events of a chattering sound which I found came from under the car below the driver's seat.
I now realize this was coming from the suspension compressor, which I think has now given up the ghost following a serious metallic crunch.
It was a 20-mile limp home, front suspension at its lowest position and back suspension still full elevation.
Following the removal of the underslung plastic tray, I've exposed the compressor and checked out the repair and replace options.
I have also found a local mechanic who I plan to meet in the next day or so.
I would be grateful for any comment re following.
During my 10 years of ownership, it has not been unusual to find my car down on the shocks, which is addressed on opening the car and going through start up.
Is this normal, as I'm getting the impression the shocks should hold air and my circumstances would most likely overwork the compressor.
The front shocks were elevated when the compressor failed and on the deck when I got home. As the rears remained elevated, I'm guessing the fronts are both shot.
Until I meet this local chap, I don't know how familiar he is with the Treg, but it seems the set-up is similar or the same on many cars in the VW group and the Wabco compressor is used by multiple manufacturers.
If I have posted in the wrong place on the forum, feel free to repost it for me and thanks in advance for any insight on the topic.

 

I doubt the front air suspension units have failed together.

I think it's more likely to be an air supply issue.

Have you read the detail in the link in the first post?

 

The struts have a pressure retention valve and they are known to fail (Wheeler Dealers Porsche Cayenne)

 

Early T1/T2‘s had problems with corrosion of the front air valve where it netted the air strut - incompatible metals were responsible or this. What you are describing with false of both front air struts does sound like a pressure supply/retention problem. Let us know how you get on and what the issue is 👍

Don’t forget to take/post some images if you can 📸

 

Thanks for the input guys.
My evolving logic goes like this.
Before what I think was a catastrophic failure of the compressor, all was good and I was a very happy Treg owner.
So replace the offending compressor and mug test if my original reliable motor is back in the frame.
I'm only copying what the trade do, keep replacing body parts (no repairs are entertained) until the problem is solved or the clients wallet is empty.
The only possible help they have are the fault codes.
So I'm thinking, local spanner man, check codes, compressor out, inspect, determine if repair is possible, replace if necessary.
Take it on the chin if another component or fault has caused the compressor failure.
The only pics at the moment are of the compressor in situ, they were taken to help me identify the part no which was Wabco 001 0735.
Turns out they are fitted in numerous car makes. Must be a go too piece of kit.
Once again thanks guys.

 

First job is to replace the compressor as you know that has failed. You cannot test other items without this.
The front shocks should not go down if the car is left unused. You either have a leak from the airbags or a leak from the residual pressure valve. (More likely)

Parts available from here. Never used them myself.

VW Touareg Air Suspension Parts

Get your air suspension replacement parts for VW from Aerosus Germany with express delivery at best price with two year warranty.

aerosus.co.uk

 

Thanks for the reply.
For clarity, the front suspension dropping occurred after the compressor failed. It never occurred prior to that when car in use.
I am off to meet the mechanic now to get the fault codes read.
His factors are quoting 800.00 ish for a replacement compressor, but he seems happy to work with a product supplied by me.
A quick revisit of Arnotts where I got a price of 410.00 some days back, and initially I'm getting prices nearer to the price quoted by mechanic.
I'll try and resolve that when I get back.
Will keep you posted.

 

Aerosus Uk have the pump for £299 plus vat plus £21 postage
So under £400

 

Subject to a revisit to garage tomorrow we may have solution. Close inspection on ramp revealed a push fit of one of the compressor small guage hoses has come adrift.
I fueled up on way back and amazingly the compressor is going full bore.
So not kaput but very noisy and turning the engine off will not stop the compressor.
On the other Treg forum an identical problem is suggested to be down to the relay terminals overheating which sounds likely.
When I got home after turning off engine, compressor still running.
Tried to shut off power. 1. Could only find one sorta appropriate fuse, removed, compressor still running.
2. Belly tray removed, vain attempts to pull apart either of the two obvious electrical connections.
Got to solve this or compressor ends up wrecked or battery drains.
Whilst in the throws of another attempt to separate cables either due to my prodding or pure luck the compressor stopped.
Re The Aerosus product had mixed reviews and I am considering the Arnott product which I can get via Eurospares for about 530.00.
Hopefully I may get result by other means. Tomorrow will determine next move.
I suspect remake the stray hose, see if everything fires up, pause to check relay and replace in any event, order the compressor repair kit, rebuild compressor and hopefully that's me sorted.
When that's done a check for leaks can be carried out.
Onwards and upwards.
Any comments gratefully received.

 

Reads like a plan.

 

Electrical plugs on vw are a bit notorious to get apart, you need to push connectors together against their rubber seals, then push down on the clip and then pull apart. Can be really awkward to do

 

I use the Laser tool 6547 makes it a bit easier to release them Similar to this tool