Air suspension and battery fault?

[Garyf123]

Hi, I have a 2014 S line sport 3.0D. I don’t use it very much and when I went to start it today for first time in over a week, it cranked very, very slowly. It eventually started but it has always seemed to crank slow and start at last moment. I thought this was just how the Q7’s were but today was worse. Granted, it was very cold, but does this sound like a new battery is needed?

Secondly, and possibly more concerning is the fact that when it started, the suspension started raising up. I haven’t noticed this before. Is this normal or have I got a leak from somewhere? There are no warning lights showing.

Thanks in advance,

 

Gary.

 

[Magnet]

Hello Gary,

Thanks for being in touch.

I think you are right to suspect the battery - if we assume it is the original. I would be thoroughly inspecting all the connections and main battery and body earths as an initial check, and if satisfied with those, take the car for at least a 15 mile run and then get the battery efficiency checked. 

If it proves to be suspect then I would only replace it with a quality brand, such as Varta/Bosch, but selecting their grades which give you at minimum of 4 years warranty. 

I tend to buy from on line battery specialist such as Battery Megastore, Tanya, Plymouth Batteries etc. who offer competitive prices and delivery to your door.

Kind regards,

Gareth.  

[Garyf123]

Hi, thanks for reply. Any ideas regarding suspension raising when starting? Didn’t seem to be one corner but all four.

[Magnet]

Hello,

Suspension? Rising? I would have expected the compressor to be lethargic in raising the suspension as the battery becomes below par. I can only think that the system may have an inbuilt ‘fail safe’ which activate under these conditions. 

If this were mine, I would be treating this from the simple things first principle, and checking and replacing the battery if necessary before being too concerned about anything else. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Garyf123]

Yes, that makes sense! Will try that.

 

Thank you.

[Garyf123]

Just been googling, am i correct in thinking that the battery has to be changed by a garage as it needs re coding??? 🤬🤬🤬