2017-2022 Audi A4/A5/S4/S5 Suspension Control Module Malfunction

Symptoms

Owners of 2017-2022 Audi A4, A5, S4, and S5 vehicles equipped with electronic damper control may notice a specific warning lamp illuminated in their instrument cluster. This lamp indicates an issue with the damper control system.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this issue, technicians may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored in the drivetrain control module (J775, address word 0074) or the electronic damping control module (J250, address word 0014):

• DTC B200FF0: Internal malfunction, associated with symptom code 4456587.

This DTC specifically points to an internal fault within the suspension control module, leading to the Audi A5 suspension control module malfunction.

Diagnosis

Despite the presence of DTC B200FF0, the Technical Service Bulletin 43 21 46 2051336/3 clarifies that this specific DTC does not impact the vehicle's handling characteristics. The diagnostic process involves checking for this code and ensuring no other related issues are present. Technicians are instructed to delete the DTC and then perform suspension basic settings.

After these initial steps, a Guided Fault Finding (GFF) procedure should be carried out. This ensures that no other DTCs are stored within the control module, confirming the resolution of the Audi A5 suspension control module malfunction.

Important Warnings

Audi explicitly states that replacing parts will not resolve this particular issue. Any claims submitted for payment where parts have been replaced will be subject to review by Audi Warranty. This highlights that the problem is not a hardware failure requiring component replacement, but rather a software or calibration-related fault.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the Audi A5 suspension control module malfunction is straightforward and primarily software-based. It involves the following steps:

1. Delete the DTC: The stored DTC B200FF0 must be cleared from the control module.
2. Perform Suspension Basic Settings: After clearing the code, the suspension system requires basic settings to be performed.
3. Perform GFF: A Guided Fault Finding session should be conducted to verify that no other DTCs are present in the control module, ensuring the issue is fully resolved.

Warranty Information

This repair is covered under Audi's warranty policies. For new vehicles, coverage extends up to 48 months or 50,000 miles. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, coverage is provided under the G10 program, requiring owner verification. If the vehicle is outside of any warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance. The service number for this procedure is 4316, with a damage code of 0040. The diagnostic time allotted is based on the diagnostic protocol, with a maximum of 50 time units (TU).

This bulletin, identified as TSB 43 21 46 2051336/3, supersedes an earlier bulletin, Group 43 number 20-32, dated April 3, 2020. The revisions included adding model years, updating the title, and revising warranty information.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10191002