2021 Audi A4/A5/S4/S5 Suspension Control Module Malfunction DTC B200FF0

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2021 Audi A4, A5, S4, and S5 models equipped with electronic damper control may notice a specific warning lamp illuminated in their instrument cluster. This light indicates an issue with the damper control system, which manages the vehicle's suspension damping characteristics. While the TSB states that this condition does not affect the handling characteristics of the vehicle, the warning light signals that a fault has been detected within the suspension system's electronics.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this issue, technicians may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored in the vehicle's control modules:

• DTC B200FF0: This code signifies an internal malfunction within the system. It is often accompanied by symptom code 4456587.

This DTC may be stored in either the drivetrain control module, identified as J775 (address word 0074), or the electronic damping control module, identified as J250 (address word 0014).

Important Warnings

Audi has issued a crucial advisory regarding the repair for this specific issue:

• Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review.

This means that attempting to resolve the DTC B200FF0 by replacing components of the suspension system or related control modules will not fix the underlying problem and may result in warranty claims being denied. Owners should be aware of this to avoid unnecessary repairs or costs.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure

According to Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2051336/2, the recommended procedure for addressing the Audi A5 DTC B200FF0 involves a specific software-based approach rather than hardware replacement. The steps are as follows:

1. Delete the DTC: The first step is to clear the stored Diagnostic Trouble Code B200FF0 from the affected control module (J775 or J250).
2. Perform Suspension Basic Settings: After clearing the DTC, technicians must perform a suspension basic settings procedure. This recalibrates the electronic damping control system to its default operational parameters.
3. Perform GFF: A Guided Fault Finding (GFF) session should be performed. This diagnostic process ensures that no other DTCs are stored in the control module after the initial fault has been addressed and basic settings have been applied. This step is crucial for confirming the repair's success and identifying any other potential issues.

This procedure is designed to resolve the internal malfunction without the need for physical part replacement, aligning with the warning provided in the bulletin.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin provides specific guidelines for warranty claims related to the Audi A5 DTC B200FF0 issue:

• Claim Type: The repair is covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, the claim type is G10, and owner verification is required.
• Informational Only: If the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty coverage, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only.
• Service Number: 4316
• Damage Code: 0040
• Diagnostic Time: GFF (Guided Fault Finding) is allocated 0150 0000, with time stated on the diagnostic protocol (maximum 50 TU).
• Road Test Allowance: No allowance is provided for road tests both prior to and after the service procedure (0 TU).
• Claim Comment: Claims should be submitted as per TSB #2051336/2.

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review and audit by Audi Warranty.

Revision History

This bulletin, 2051336/2, was revised on April 3, 2020. It supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 43 number 18-29, dated May 22, 2018. The revisions included an updated title, a revised header to add model years and DTCs, and an updated warranty section.

NHTSA ID: 10173847