EAS Workaround.... bad idea?

[korbz]

Ok, please tell me why this is a bad idea...

So my EAS, being EAS, has been a pain in the butt for the last 6 months. Basically for some unkown reason the compressor wont kick in when the suspension is down. When trying to raise the car I get one solid and one flashing light on the dash ride height display. So for last 6 months almost every time ive driven the car i have to spend 10 minutes pressurising the sytem using this method (Manually Activate the Range Rover EAS Compressor - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQAt7fdPMMo)), ie by bypassing the relay and waiting untill the car raises off the bump stops.

This method works great but is very time consuming but more importantly it annoys the hell out of my partner:twisted:, especially when she has to do it herself in the shopping center carpark.... open the bonnet, pull out the relay, insert wires, wait for pressure etc...

So my idea is to permanently remove the relay and run wiring from the fuse box to a rocker switch (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Switch-Rocker-Off-On-Illuminated-Red.aspx?pid=120364#Description) mounted on the dash in the car. so when the system needs air i can start the compressor without getting out of the drivers seat just by flicking the switch and then manually turning it off after a few minutes when normal ride height is achieved...
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=39950&stc=1&d=1318206770

it seems simple enough...

i assume running the compressor this way will bypass the high temperature switch? will it also bypass the high pressure switch?

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Aaron

[Tombie]

Why not just fix the problem :cool: "A happy wife is a peaceful life" :p

Otherwise, tap into the wires below the relay box and run a switch into the cabin so it can be done with relay in place, sitting in vehicle...

And no, its not good to bypass and use the switch all the time - so make it momentary so when you let it go, it cuts off.

[jsp]

How come it wont run the compressor? does it happily run the compressor once pressure is up after you have jumpered it or does it simply nerever run the compressor?

Eas ecu? driver pack on the valve block? Faulty temp sensor on pump?

Do you have a obd-serial cable and eas software to check for codes?

Its not jusst a bad relay is it?

[parasnoop67]

Idealy all p38's running air suspension should have the manual air recovery system fitted.
If you have it with taps on the lines, you can just turn off the taps, pump up the 4 valves to around 60lbs, pull the plug on the pump inside the box and off you go.
My son has been doing this for a while and it works fine off road with a bit more pressure, but it must be even from side to side.
There doesnt seem to be much loss of articulation.

[korbz]

How come it wont run the compressor? does it happily run the compressor once pressure is up after you have jumpered it or does it simply nerever run the compressor?

Eas ecu? driver pack on the valve block? Faulty temp sensor on pump?

Do you have a obd-serial cable and eas software to check for codes?

Its not jusst a bad relay is it?


Nah it's "seemingly" completely random. Sometimes once pressure is up it will work fine. Sometimes even when down entire system might run perfectly for a day or two, then it's back to square one. Counts out faulty relay. An "expert" here in Perth tried to convince me it was the temp sensor on the pump so I would but one of his reconditioned pumps, but grounding the temp sensor at the pump doesn't get it to run either... Have had it checked with obd serial cable and software but didn't come up with anything definitive... Could be valve block or ecu...don't know how to check that though...

[korbz]

Idealy all p38's running air suspension should have the manual air recovery system fitted.
If you have it with taps on the lines, you can just turn off the taps, pump up the 4 valves to around 60lbs, pull the plug on the pump inside the box and off you go.
My son has been doing this for a while and it works fine off road with a bit more pressure, but it must be even from side to side.
There doesnt seem to be much loss of articulation.

Thanks for the tip. Yep it's something I'm definitely I'm looking into...

[korbz]

Otherwise, tap into the wires below the relay box and run a switch into the cabin so it can be done with relay in place, sitting in vehicle...

And no, its not good to bypass and use the switch all the time - so make it momentary so when you let it go, it cuts off.

Good point on using a switch that 'let's go'. Can take a few minutes to pump up though, I think my finger might get sore[tonguewink]

What's the advantage to tapping into the wires and leaving the relay in place?

.

[wayneg]

You are a patient man if you have let this go on for 6 months.
What have you tested? Its easy enough to test the pump ( which seems to work) Thermal cut-out ,pressure switch and swap over one of the other relays.
I have had issues before which was simply a bad connection on the compressor plug.
I have a good spare compressor here (not for sale) if you wanted to to come over and do a quick swap to test it if you think thats the problem. I have also bypassed the cutout on the compressor before if thats your problem its an easy solder job. I have the eas software and lead here if you dont have them.

[korbz]

You are a patient man if you have let this go on for 6 months.
What have you tested? Its easy enough to test the pump ( which seems to work) Thermal cut-out ,pressure switch and swap over one of the other relays.
I have had issues before which was simply a bad connection on the compressor plug.
I have a good spare compressor here (not for sale) if you wanted to to come over and do a quick swap to test it if you think thats the problem. I have also bypassed the cutout on the compressor before if thats your problem its an easy solder job. I have the eas software and lead here if you dont have them.
Patient? yes. Bloody frustrated? yes, yes.

Thats a great offer and I think I might take you up on it if its not too much of an imposition...

[wayneg]

PM sent

[Marshall]

I had exactly the same problem a few months ago... fixed up all the piddly airline leaks and just bought a new compressor from the UK and it now works perfectly.
Hope Wayneg's compressor clears it up for you...

[korbz]

Well after blowing Maxi fuse 2 (3 times in about 10 minutes!!) I figured something must be wrong with my dodgey EAS workaround. Duh.

I narrowed it down to the damn rocker switch I bought from SCA was for some reason blowing the fuse... makes it difficult to go buy a new one when the blown fuse is for the starter motor solenoid...

I think I might take the plunge on a new compressor from the UK and hope... £137.49 from island 4x4 seems reasonable...

[DT-P38]

Get yourself a valve block rebuild and compressor seal kit from Hard Range first. Put them both in on a lazy Sunday afternoon and see if you can save yourself a few hundred $'s.

[korbz]

Dodgey workaround update:
Since I have installed the rocker switch to bypass the relay and manually run the compressor, guess what? I have not needed it once! The EAS is running perfectly all on its own without needing any intervention on my part... i dont get to use my fancy new switch with the offensive blue light...

Not really knowing much about electrics my gut feeling is that the earthing to the rocker switch might somehow have made up for some faulty wiring closer to the compressor?!?!

either way, she is running lovely at the moment... Wayneg, when she decides to play funny buggers again I still plan on taking you up on your offer... thanks mate...

[wayneg]

Good to read you got it sorted on your own, nothing like a bit of diy to get your knowledge and confidence up and save a few $$$ in the process.
I you decide you want to R & R the compressor or Valve block I am only down the road.