Removing and installing adaptive suspension control unit J197 — AUDI
Removing and installing adaptive suspension control unit J197 on Audi: 9 steps, 1 torque figure. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what.
The adaptive suspension control unit J197 on the Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011) is mounted on the plenum chamber partition panel behind the glove box, and the physical part of the job is small: a cover panel, a few bolts and the connectors. Before anything is unbolted, a replacement unit is prepared in the diagnostic system with the Replace function for that control unit in guided fault finding. The cover panel below the glove box is held by 4 retainers that can be stubborn, and the cover beneath it is easily damaged while they are released. The bolts come out, the unit is pulled down, the connectors are released and the unit taken out. The new one is connected, bolted to 2 Nm, which is finger-light, and then re-adapted. Skipping the Replace step or the adaptation is what leaves the suspension in a fault state after an otherwise tidy job.
🧭 Before you start
Run the Replace function for J197 in guided fault finding, then remove the cover panel from the cover below the glove box, taking care with its 4 retainers. Remove the bolts, pull the control unit down, release and detach the connectors and take the unit out. Fit the new unit, attach the connectors, tighten the bolts to 2 Nm and re-adapt the adaptive suspension control unit.
Fits: Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011)
Don't miss
- Select the Replace function in guided fault finding before renewing the control unit.
- The cover panel is held by 4 retainers; release them carefully to avoid damaging the cover below the glove box.
- Tighten the bolts to 2 Nm only.
- Re-adapt J197 after installation.
- Unplug and reconnect the control unit with the ignition off to avoid stored fault entries.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft) | Fit bolts (1) and tighten |
ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.
📋 Procedure
- When renewing control unit, select "“Replace”" function for relevant control unit in "“Guided Fault Finding”" routine. [Note: Adaptive suspension control unit J197 is installed on plenum chamber partition panel behind glove box.]
- Remove cover panel (A) from cover below glove box (B). [Note: Cover panel (A) is held by 4 retainers in cover below glove box (B). These may be difficult to release and care is therefore required to avoid damaging cover below glove box (B) during removal.]
- Remove bolts (1).
- Pull out control unit (2) downwards.
- Release and detach electrical connectors (arrows) on control unit.
- Take out control unit (2).
- Attach electrical connectors (arrows).
- Fit bolts (1) and tighten to 2 Nm. — 2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft)
- Re-adapt adaptive suspension control unit J197.
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.