snatchman

I am changing the air ride compressor on my 2006 A8l. I also need to change the relay 373 but I keep reading conflicting post on the relay location. Some say its under the steering column and some say its under the passenger side carpet. I have located an relay 373 under my passenger side carpet. My question, is this the relay I'm searching for and is there only one relay numbered 373 in this vehicle?

Thanks for any help.

snatchman

There is no 373 relay!

mishar

2004 - 2006 have the relay under the dash, just above drivers left knee. Newer ones under the passenger carpet.

snatchman

Thanks for replying Mishar.

I I have a 2006 A8, I found a relay 373 under the passenger carpet but there was not one under the dash. Is there more than one 373 relay in this car?

dvs_dave

Does it not depend on if its right or left hand drive also?

aTOMic

Hey Shaun, how's this going?

The relay #643 in your pic is the one you seek. (based on location, not the relay's number).

The #373 relay is a standard relay and yes it's interchangeable with others. I have tried to find differences but haven't; they have the same pin config and same capacity. I suspect it's some quality issue, frankly, because I could not hear my old 373 at all, but with the new one that Meissier air sent I hear it clicking on and off regularly! There was one I tried from Audiusaparts (ordered as suspension level control pump relay, IIRC) and it had yet another number on it!

HTH
Tom

viper04

I was wondering do you have to change the relay at the same time you change the compressor, if you don't will the new compressor die? I was just wondering. Thanks

aTOMic

If the relay isn't allowing the full voltage through, and switching it quickly, (as is the relay's job to do), then yes.

The replacement compressors come from Meissler* with a new relay and a warning that if you don't install the new relay they won't honor the warranty. There's a TSB or SSP out there with nice color pics of what the relay is supposed to look like (and I'm sure Misha will post it pretty quick ). The instructions say to look at the contacts but it doesn't tell what to do if they're OK since disassembling the relay almost destroys it!

Changing the relay looks intimidating at first but it's really only carefully prying off the trim then six or eight T25 (?) screws. I'd recommend doing the brake light switch while you're in there they are both under the same knee bolster cover, and the (troublesome) brakelight switch is only about $15-20; be sure not to press the plunger in before install, they self-adjust... ONCE and only once. I'm sure many have been ruined by the kid packing them for shipping and absentmindedly pressing the plunger as he tosses it into a box!

(Not sure why I cannot seem to post a nice link, sorry)
* http://www.ebay.com/itm/compressor-air-suspension-4E0616007-audi-a8-4E0616005-air-ride-pump-/160947089625?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257931b0d9&vxp=mtr

snatchman

I replaced the #643 relay and every thing worked fine, but now I could not get the car to respond to MMI settings. It went into lift mode and would not stop, so now I have an A8 that looks like and Allroad. I still have the leak in the system some where that I have not had a chance to pin point yet. The next morning the rear left strut had leaked down. I will try to get to this later on in the week.

hartdl

is the starter relay in the same place as the air compressor relay?