Nose down, arse up- your diagnosis?

[Strangerover]

So the Jolly Green Giant (2003 3.0 L322) is sitting in the driveway, looking most undignified. She disgraced herself yesterday by dropping to the bump stops at the front and pumping up the rear to offroad height and beyond, this on the way to the airport no less, where she was laughed at by common taxi drivers. This will not do.

Prior to this a couple of gentlemen who laughingly refer to themselves as 'mechanics'* had, in the course of replacing some control arm bushes, fitted a front height sensor back to front (is this even possible?), whereupon she locked at kneeling height and displayed various error messages. Of course, she waited a day to do this, having given no indication on picking her up from the 'mechanics' (oh the irony) that anything was wrong. Said 'mechanics' took her to an autoelec to have the fault cleared. I gather they must have discovered the height sensor reversal about this time.

Picked her up again, no faults showing on the message centre, sitting nice and high. Took me a few days to realise it was TOO high, didn't click util she told me off for driving over 50kmh while driving in 'offroad mode', except I wasn't.
These geniuses had set the height about 30mm over standard... whyyyyy? Why did they fiddle with the ride height at all? Must get around to having that looked at...

So cut to last night on the Tulla motoring out to the airport at a steady 101km, right side front starts to sink. Alarming to say the least. Suddenly levels again, then pumps up to OVER usual height. Then left starts to sink, now I'M wondering how Beelzebub got into the EAS computer and what the hell was he playing at. Pumps back up, front level again. Then front drops to bumpstops both sides like a catholic at confession. Meanwhile the rear is stuck up in the air like a Toorak matron's nose. Driver (me) feeling like an idiot in my luxury chariot that can't decide whether it's a latino lowrider or a Hilux with a 3-inch lift kit.

Long story short: car has suspension problems. Possible damage to parts unknown by mechanics. Current attitude of car suggests it thinks it's facing Mecca. Erratic behaviour of front suspension seems to rule out popped/leaking airbags, or it wouldn't have been able to pump itself up, right?

Ladies and gentlemen, your best diagnosis please. Extra points to be awarded for creativity.


*Eastern suburbs of melbourne, PM me for details on which computer wheel alignment shop to avoid...

[Homestar]

Any fault codes showing now?

A split airbag would make the EAS computer lock out the offending bag, so if 1 split, then it should just drop on one corner. This will flag a fault.

[33chinacars]

Sounds like a mad woman having a **** :wasntme: Sorry can't be more helpful. If you haven't all ready buy yourself an IIDTool to clear faults etc

Gary

[Strangerover]

Any fault codes showing now?

EAS inactive
Self-Levelling inactive

It plays the messages in rotation, to cheer me up. First one, then the other. Great viewing for the 50kmh trip down the freeway, hoo boy was I popular.


A split airbag would make the EAS computer lock out the offending bag, so if 1 split, then it should just drop on one corner. This will flag a fault.

I'm assuming that the airbags are still OK since both sides pumped back up again, though I'm going to change them anyway for peace of mind. I'm just wondering what else has gone wrong to cause the erratic behaviour. I'm going to change the rear shocks too, any recommendations?

[justinc]

Have a read here.

Mk III Air Suspension (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/mkiii/suspension/ecu.html)


JC

[Homestar]

Ok, so it's had a fit - next step is to look at where it thinks the suspension is. You will need a diagnostic tool to do this. You can view the ride heights and see where it thinks it is compared to where it is. It will fault if it has been trying to raise or lower the suspension and not seeing the correct feedback from the sensors. I had a FR height sensor go in mine and it was all over the place - my best guess is that you have **** one.

[Homestar]

Have a read here.

Mk III Air Suspension (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/mkiii/suspension/ecu.html)


JC

Nice write up. Haven't seen that before. :)

[harlie]

Agree with Gav.

The computer knows something is wrong, plug into it and see what it reports. If the message is on the dash, there is faults stored in the EAS ECU.

Task 1. retrieve these faults.

At a guess you will find an out of range fault or moving in the wrong direction fault.

[Strangerover]

Well I'd like to do that, haven't yet ordered a scan tool, still undecided as to which one to buy. Makes sense though, I concur with Gav's assessment (hi Gav!). Any members with an appropriate device in eastern suburbs of Melbourne? The Google map is only showing one, and he isn't replying. I'm reluctant to let the 'mechanics' touch the car again, they've offered to try to sort it out tomorrow.

Thanks all for the interest and suggestions btw.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[33chinacars]

Without paying big money most scam tools will be locked to an individual VIN #
My IIDTool is.
Gary

[Homestar]

Wish I could help you, but my IID tool is VIN locked.

[harlie]

The new IID tool employs a different security model.
It is VIN locked for extended or advanced functions, but open for basic functions like read and clear faults.

So, if someone has one of these (Looks like I might be first) they can read and clear any vehicle of the same type (ie L322 <2006) but can only program their own car. Also allows use of a hand set (phone, tablet or laptop) so you aren't restricted to the tiny screen.

When it shows up , I'll report back....

Anyhow. You will need someone with All-coms, Hawkeye or test book. Old IID and Faultmate are VIN locked. Or, bite the bullet and get yourself a diagnostic kit, it is an essential tool for any DIYer, and will pay for itself the first time it is needed - like now:(

[Strangerover]

So you've opted for the Bluetooth model? Seems the IIDTool is the weapon of choice around here, Bluetooth option looks great, I always have my phone with me, plus my message centre pixels are mostly gone. An extra 200-odd GBP for Bluetooth seems a bit steep though... ouch.
I'm also considering the Allcomms, much cheaper and now unlocked in the same manner as your new IDTool I believe. Have to carry a laptop, not as convenient but do-able.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[harlie]

So you've opted for the Bluetooth model? Seems the IIDTool is the weapon of choice around here, Bluetooth option looks great, I always have my phone with me, plus my message centre pixels are mostly gone. An extra 200-odd GBP for Bluetooth seems a bit steep though... ouch.


Yeah, IID is getting too expensive now. Honestly, I only have one because I did testing for them pre-release and got it alot cheaper... Also beware IID BT unit need a device with bluetooth 4 or later. It's a neat unit that is always in the car which I like alot, but price up some other options. Hawkeye is also compact and self contained. I do not carry a laptop all the time.

[Strangerover]

Latest: Front right bag is hissing like a cut snake, looks like the culprit has been found. Doesn't explain the freeway weirdness, I'm expecting to find more problems when the strut is replaced. A shiny new pair of Delphis are on order, picking them up tomorrow. I'm ready to pull the trigger on one of the cheaper scan tools, have ruled out the hawkeye so it's down to the IIDTool (non-bluetooth) and the Allcomms. Does anyone hold stocks locally?

[jsp]

I have the allcoms, great from the point of view it works with the P38 and the L322 and I have leant it out to several people as it isn't VIN locked. Keep in mind though its a simple unit with very basic functionality and you will need some form of PC also, I keep a small cheap netbook in the car just for that purpose.

[Laurie]

I have just noticed the latest version of allcoms has support for the M57 Diesel in the L322. Might be worth a serious look for many now if you don't mind carrying a tablet or laptop on your travels :)!

Laurie

[slug_burner]

Strangerover,

It appears as though you have located one problem with that hissing airbag. If you're not up to getting your own tool I suggest you get onto Fred Smith at Bayswater, not far from you I'd say. He has the tools, know how and likes a chat and will give you all the information you can take.

I have no commercial association with Fred Smith Automotive Pty Ltd but I am a client who is time poor.

[harlie]

I have just noticed the latest version of allcoms has support for the M57 Diesel in the L322.
.....


Now I remember why I didn't go allcoms at the start. It didn't handle the diesel engine and transmission. Game changer now it does IMO

[Strangerover]

Have pulled the trigger on an IIDTool, should have it by Monday. Funny, half the sellers couldn't get the Bluetooth model. Huge discrepancy in pricing too, over seventy GBP for just the standard model I ended up getting from LRDirect. One lot wanted 49 GBP for shipping too, 'avin' a laugh they were.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[Strangerover]

Strangerover,

It appears as though you have located one problem with that hissing airbag. If you're not up to getting your own tool I suggest you get onto Fred Smith at Bayswater, not far from you I'd say. He has the tools, know how and likes a chat and will give you all the information you can take.

I have no commercial association with Fred Smith Automotive Pty Ltd but I am a client who is time poor.

Vehicle is with Fred as of this morning, thanks for the recommendation.