What Are the Signs of Electronic Damping Control Failure in European Cars

The electronic damping control is one of the most advanced suspension technology that is used in high-end European cars. In fact, the technology helps adjust shock absorber damping as per the prevailing road conditions, driving speed, steering input, acceleration, braking, and selected drive modes.

Moreover, the efficient working of the electronic damping control system is dependent on sensors, control modules, wiring, and electronically adjustable shock absorbers. At times, issues with the system can make it difficult for you to drive your car. In this article, we will discuss the signs associated with electronic damping control failure in European cars.

Signs of Electronic Damping Control Failure

Ride Quality Gets Affected

One of the initial signs associated with electronic damping control failure in European cars is linked to the ride quality of the vehicle. Generally, under normal conditions, the system regularly varies the damping force to help balance comfort and handling in your European car.

Now, if the damper gets stuck in a particular condition, then the suspension in your vehicle will become excessively firm or unusually soft. This is when even the small road imperfections will be felt by you when driving, and your European car might sustain heavy damage if it encounters large road imperfections.

In addition to that, the excessive softness of the vehicle will make it very difficult for you to drive your high-end car. You will observe that earlier the smooth ride in your car that you used to feel in comfort mode will go for a toss, and your car will feel as though it is permanently operating in sport-oriented damping setting.

Excess Body Rolling

The electronic damping systems are meant to help maintain body control when you are driving around corners. In fact, the advanced systems help prevent your vehicle from rolling over during cornering. The versatility of the electronic damping control is that, when the vehicle requires additional support during cornering, the system reports positively, and then it reduces it when greater comfort is the need of the hour.

Now, when the damping control fails in your vehicle, then you will notice that your European car develops noticeably greater body roll when going around corners, and your vehicle is going to feel less composed during bends, especially when driving at high speeds.

You are going to notice that your car leans very heavily through corners than what it used to do previously. Now, the exact problem could also be caused by worn out mechanical suspension components and this makes it important to rope in a certified technician to help examine the components in order to determine the actual problem in your vehicle.

Unusual Noises from Suspension

Generally, under normal circumstances, you are never going to hear any unusual sound coming from your European car while driving. However, if the electronic damping control system is malfunctioning, then you might hear clicking, knocking, clunking, buzzing, or actuator-related noise come from your vehicle.

At times, it is seen that an electronically adjustable damper contains an actuator or valve responsible for changing the damping characteristics. Now, if the actuator encounters issues with its functioning, then unusual noises are going to occur when the system tries to reset damping settings.

In fact, unusual noises coming from your vehicle might not always be related to electronic damping. In fact, there are several instances of the problem being caused by worn suspension bushings, ball joints, mounts, links, springs, and mechanical shock absorber system.

Illuminated Warning Lights

There are numerous warning lights in your European car that are meant to alert you whenever there is something wrong in your vehicle. The electronic suspension warning light is one such warning system that is going to illuminate whenever there is anything wrong with the suspension or one of its related system.

In fact, your European car’s suspension control module keeps an eye on the functioning of the sensors, damper actuators, wiring, and communication between various control units. If there are any anomalies in any of these systems, then it is going to affect the working of the electronic damping control, and you will see the warning light flashing in your vehicle.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the common signs associated with electronic damping control failure in your European car. If you come across any of these signs, then get in touch with a certified auto repair shop to get your electronic damping control inspected and fixed at the earliest.

Dougherty Automotive Services located in West Chester, PA is an independent auto repair shop having years of experience in fixing high-end cars. Besides that, we are a GIAC-authorized retailer providing performance tuning for Audi, BMW, Bentley.