P38 EAS a couple of Qs

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Just a couple of questions about the P38 EAS and it's really just me thinking out loud.

One of the members (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/adm333.html) on the forum has an avatar of the EAS button of their RR which I am assuming is the EAS button of the P38?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/customavatars/avatar8815_1.gif

Is the EAS four heights as seems to be indicated by the graphic: Raised
Standard
Motorway
AccessIs this correct?

On the EAS: Is the EAS a separate ECU or programmed into the main ECU of the car?
Can you replace the sensors and compressor with after-market items?
Are you able to re-programme the settings?
Is the P38 EAS system actually as bad as it's reputation?

[benji]

Yes your avatar heights are spot on. Also bear in mind the higher the setting the higher the spring rate too - to me it makes a noticable difference.

1. The eas ecu is a seperate unit. It is linked to the Becm, but only so the BECM can display slow to 55/35kph on the dash - no diagnostics through the BECM. It's the lowest ecu under the passenger seat, and if God forbid you even take yours for a swim, this ecu is waterproof - please don't ask me how I found that out.
2.You can replace the pump with an aftermarket unit (viair, and other Thomas type pumps seem popular) with a bit of stuffing around with connections and mountings - some good results too. The original one is a good unit, though it's a bit small and works hard. There is no aftermarket height sensors, there were two different types through the p38 years, they are interchangable.
3.Yes you can re-program the settings. THere's free software dowloadable, and you need to get an OBD lead, and I think it needs to be wired as per land rover, not generic. THere's quite a few around though. I used to run mine of my laptop in the car. landrover specific diag units are getting cheaper too. THere's a few limitations to altering the heights though. If you go above set tollerances the ecu will revert to the old heights (usually an inch or two isn't a problem), and the higher you go the harder the spring rate gets, and the less droop you have.
4.No. Like all things Rover, they seem to get a flogging. Some people do have a bad run as the system is neglected, and ages. I havn't put a spanner to the eas on my Classic in 4 years, and the p38 i've just bought 18 months ago,I havn't needed to touch because it's been looked after. People are put off what they don't know, and the eas is pretty simple. It's a very robust system, but it does need replacement parts occasionally. If you do need to replace eas componants, post here first. There are still people out there telling customers that they need a new $1300ish valve block, which is a rort when a $30 oring kit, or a $50 solonoid is the problem. Don't be put off by the naysayers, after loading it up heavily and going for a trip you'll never go back to coil!!!!!

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks Benji

Actually the EAS discussion is actually not for a P38, I'm looking for alternate options to putting EAS over a Defender because the current quote is $1,200 per axle (3) and about the same again for the ECU and compressor system and it still gives only three settings.

So am wondering if it would be possible to amputate the P38 ECU and controls and graft them into a Defender.

[Keithy P38]

I rekon you could adapt it! Use a switch to tell the compressor to fill the tank via an air dryer. Anyone can do that.

Use the ecu to control your heights via retro-fitted sensors!

Simple in theory!

[justinc]

diana,

in my quest for a non electronic eas system for defenders etc i have come up with this as a height controller;

http://www.watsonsuspensions.com/docs/documents/Installation%20Manuals/Hadley%20500%20instructions%20H14980.pdf

and they are cheap ex usa, around $95usd.


very simple and robust, has a built in delay feature to simulate an electronic height sensor 'deadband' action, ie stops continual instant adjustments to save air etc.

jc

[Hoges]

Thanks Benji

Actually the EAS discussion is actually not for a P38, I'm looking for alternate options to putting EAS over a Defender because the current quote is $1,200 per axle (3) and about the same again for the ECU and compressor system and it still gives only three settings.

So am wondering if it would be possible to amputate the P38 ECU and controls and graft them into a Defender.

Was this through Airbag Man? If not, could be worth contacting them. Last time I was there picking up some connectors there was a relatively new Defender with airbag suspension. "The boss's" apparently...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I rekon you could adapt it! Use a switch to tell the compressor to fill the tank via an air dryer. Anyone can do that.

Use the ecu to control your heights via retro-fitted sensors!

Simple in theory!Thanks Keithy

There are a number of after-market dual compressor systems that have a pressure switch system for the tank (Volvo truck air tank) so keeping the tank pressurised would be automatic.

The thing I'm really interested in is a 4 height controller. The two main driving modes required being, a suburban street, speed-hump height, the motorway height so I can drop the roof height at highway speed to 2.0M and only pay car and trailer toll on the M5 instead of truck toll).

Justin

I was hoping for electronic air with anti roll and yaw functions etc rather than a simple truck air with only height functions.

[justinc]

Thanks Keithy

There are a number of after-market dual compressor systems that have a pressure switch system for the tank (Volvo truck air tank) so keeping the tank pressurised would be automatic.

The thing I'm really interested in is a 4 height controller. The two main driving modes required being, a suburban street, speed-hump height, the motorway height so I can drop the roof height at highway speed to 2.0M and only pay car and trailer toll on the M5 instead of truck toll).

Justin

I was hoping for electronic air with anti roll and yaw functions etc rather than a simple truck air with only height functions.

Ah, yes good idea of yours ^ above. The pitch and yaw control requires a lot more available air and complex control, there are mechanical controllers that are instantaneous IE no delay and will take over body roll functions to a degree, but the electronic approach with several heights etc is probably going to be more suited to your application.

There is a HUGE amount of these especially ricer apps. Some of their systems developed for 'street' cars are very advanced.

JC

[benji]

I do like the idea of an electricless system. Will the system do load leveling also, as in the diagram it seemed like the one valve body controlled the 4 airbags.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I do like the idea of an electricless system. Will the system do load leveling also, as in the diagram it seemed like the one valve body controlled the 4 airbags. In trucks basically all they do is set the height so one control valve is sufficient.

[p38oncoils]

I do like the idea of an electricless system. Will the system do load leveling also, as in the diagram it seemed like the one valve body controlled the 4 airbags.

The single valve system does load levelling on a truck rear suspension system which is a very rigid set-up, but is unsuitable to a normal vehicle set-up because it doesn't maintain a pre set levelling height at each wheel. It would maintain the correct level at the point where the valve is mounted but the rest of the vehicle could be leaning in any direction based on a myriad of factors. In order for the system to work on a normal vehicle one valve needs to be mounted at each wheel.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

It's even more involved in my desired application (discussed elsewhere) as I want the rear axles to load share, particularly off highway.

[justinc]

The single valve system does load levelling on a truck rear suspension system which is a very rigid set-up, but is unsuitable to a normal vehicle set-up because it doesn't maintain a pre set levelling height at each wheel. It would maintain the correct level at the point where the valve is mounted but the rest of the vehicle could be leaning in any direction based on a myriad of factors. In order for the system to work on a normal vehicle one valve needs to be mounted at each wheel.

correct, i would envisage one on each side at the rear for self levelling only, and a dump valve for lowering to load or hitch vehicle.

jc