Air Suspension Fault

[33chinacars]

So after 10 years of ownership my beloved L322 TD6 has finally decided to play silly buggers . That is apart from the dreaded death of GM 5L40E auto.

Today the suspension decided to play up.

Whilst in Highway mode it decided to drop onto what felt like the bumpstops. But only at the front. So nose down, bum up. Plugged in my IIDTool. No relevant faults. Cleared all faults anyway.

Put the suspension back to Normal height. Seamed to behave itself. Road Ok. As l approached home I reset it to Highway mode. Did a km or so before it went nose down again. Back to Normal height and all good again.

Now sitting in the shed on concrete floor. Measuring from floor to lip of the mudguard .
RR 33". LR 33" LF 33.5" RF 34.3 " These are approximate measurements. So nearly level . Just a bit high on the Right Front. This is at Normal Height. Can I get others to do some measurements for me.

Background. 2005 model , so now 16 years old. Traveled 194,000 kms.
To the best of my knowledge Airbags & struts are original. As are the sensors, compressor & associated valve body.

Thinking it maybe a sensor problem. Will start to check & clear them over the next few days.
As well as for air leaks. But I'm doubtful on that as is behaves at Normal height.

What are others ideas

Cheers Gary

[irubix]

Hey Gary, were there any other errors? Sometime other errors on the CAN cause issues with the suspension.

You can also scan for errors that are not yet confirmed but noted with the IID tool. I can't remember off hand what you need to select, but the manual will have the info on extended scan types.

The correct height from the centre of the rims to the arch are:

Front: 493mm
Rear: 483mm

Try running the guided suspension calibration with the IID tool.

[FisherX]

Funny you should bring this up at this time.

I'm having the same issue with my 04. Front end down to the bumps no fault codes.

In my case I have a hole/leak in my front left air spring that is only uncovered when it is below normal ride height. It first showed itself the other day when I lowered the car to access height so the wife could get out a little easier. The next day I drove off on the bumps with an audible air leak. It wouldn't come off the bumps until I jacked up the front a bit and selected extended mode, then back to normal height.

The left front only goes back to the bumps only every other time I drive. If the front doesn't go down to the bumps on both sides it will recover, but if both go to the bumps I have to jack it up off the bumps for it to recover.

Anyway I know I have a leak in the spring so I have one on order from Ebay.

Front Left Air Spring Bag Suspension For Range Rover 03-09 L322 MK-III RNB000750 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Front-Left-Air-Spring-Bag-Suspension-For-Range-Rover-03-09-L322-MK-III-RNB000750/273493340237'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

[harlie]

yes....

Garry you have a leak - a big one.

OPTION 1 - you will have a crack in the air bag. Sitting normally the crack is closed by the way the bag rolls over. It is opened at a certain height, as the roll moves the crack opens and drops air.

OPTION 2 - the top bearing seal. this one will leak at one lock, usually tight RH turn and then seal as the top bearing comes back.

so..... option 2 is easy to check. start the car and move the steering to RH lock - check - LH lock - check. Option 1 will be confirmed by changing height of the car - at a certain height it will drop...

Either way, it's new strut assembly time

[33chinacars]

So I've been playing with my IIDTool .

Now I've really gone and done it . As it was sitting on the bump stops in the front decided to Deflate All. Now its on the bump stops all round & not going anywhere. [bigwhistle][bawl] That will teach me .

Live Values
Air compressor. [B]185 psi & 61 degress

LF RF
[B]- 9739 150 Settings

0 -102 Live Values

LR RR
180 180 Settings

-112 -145 Live Values

From that I'd say the LF sensor is upset. I did take it off for a look see. Should have left well enough alone

In the adjustment page

LF RF
[B]548 150 Settings

LR RR
180 180 Settings

If I try and change LF from 548 - 150 and save. Every time you go into settings its back at 548.

I think the first I noticed of a potential problem , was that I had to counter steer a little while driving in a straight line . It looked like it was down a little in one front corner. Silly me forgot about it until the next drive . Went down onto the front bump stops after driving about 20kms .

So yes I'm guessing I have leak in an air bag . Time to replace

Thanks all for your help

Cheers Gary


[B]So I just tried FisherX's trick and jacked it up . Both ends . Rear stayed up . Front back down on the bump stops . Looks like my RR is grounded till I replace air bags. Lucky I've a back up vehicle

​

[rar110]

I replaced the front struts on my 2007 L322 in 2017 at about 260,000 km mark before a road trip to Vic, just as a precaution. Both front shocks were dead even though the air bag was ok.

[NUTTTR]

If you want to try, there is a way to bridge terminals on the ecu to make it rise... Gives you an opportunity to see which bag is leaking too.

I have some cracking on one of mine and I'll be using tubeless sealant in it in the first instance I think....others have said it has worked very well for them, provided the hole is in the fold it should be fine...

There are whole front struts on ebay for under 700...The brand is BWI which is oem... Worth it I think!

[FisherX]

I have some cracking on one of mine and I'll be using tubeless sealant in it in the first instance I think....others have said it has worked very well for them, provided the hole is in the fold it should be fine...



I have used the Tyre Slime (the green fluid stuff) in the air springs in the back of my Disco 2 when I had a leak after greatly overloaded the back of it with concrete pavers. Worked fine for 2 years before I pulled my finger out and changed them.

[NUTTTR]

I have used the Tyre Slime (the green fluid stuff) in the air springs in the back of my Disco 2 when I had a leak after greatly overloaded the back of it with concrete pavers. Worked fine for 2 years before I pulled my finger out and changed them.

That's the kind of feedback I love. I've got "muck off" tubeless sealant for my MTB and it's excellent, I expect in the next year or so it'll be in one strut....lol

[irubix]

Funny you should bring this up at this time.

I'm having the same issue with my 04. Front end down to the bumps no fault codes.

In my case I have a hole/leak in my front left air spring that is only uncovered when it is below normal ride height. It first showed itself the other day when I lowered the car to access height so the wife could get out a little easier. The next day I drove off on the bumps with an audible air leak. It wouldn't come off the bumps until I jacked up the front a bit and selected extended mode, then back to normal height.

The left front only goes back to the bumps only every other time I drive. If the front doesn't go down to the bumps on both sides it will recover, but if both go to the bumps I have to jack it up off the bumps for it to recover.

Anyway I know I have a leak in the spring so I have one on order from Ebay.

Front Left Air Spring Bag Suspension For Range Rover 03-09 L322 MK-III RNB000750 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Front-Left-Air-Spring-Bag-Suspension-For-Range-Rover-03-09-L322-MK-III-RNB000750/273493340237'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

Stay away from maxspeedingrods on eBay.

Have ordered had DOA and had to spend months trying to get a refund. Ended up getting it but thru my credit card. Ebay and the vendor were terrible.

I ended up going with arnotts ex USA

[Laurie]

Aussie Distributor for Arnott's Air Bags; might be worth a call ?

Laurie

Home - Airbag Suspension Specialists | Aussie Airbag Suspension (http://www.aussieairbagsuspension.com.au/arnott-air-springs.html)

[33chinacars]

Have ordered
New front struts - Delphi.
Could have bought cheaper noname brands .
Rear Shocks - Bilsteins
And a full service kit. OEM but not Land Rover
$ 1460 delivered That included $371 Postage

From Island 4x4 UK

[rar110]

That’s pretty good. At that age better to buy full strut as shocks will be shot, instead of only air bag spring.

I prob need to replace my rear air springs and shocks. The shocks were replaced about 8 years ago. So will be nearly dead. The original shocks were replaced when car was 5 years old.

[feraldisco]

Is there anything complicated about recalibrating the suspension after fitting new front struts to 2007 TDV8 Vogue? Do you need a particular diagnostic/resetting tool? The mechanical side of the replacement seems straightforward enough but am just concerned about complications once fitted if I attempt it myself. The reason I ask is that I have a quote for $1200 per Delphi front strut (seems to be about twice the going rate) plus one hour labour each side plus "recalibration".

Thanks

[Laurie]

If you have a IID tool it's a easy job ! Most shops now charge at least 1/2 hr Labour charge for diagnostics unfortunately. I'm not sure if it can be adjusted with the IID Tool if your not the VIN registered owner ?? Some functions will work on any vehicle. Your welcome to borrow mine if it will work for you.[thumbsupbig]

Laurie

[irubix]

Aussie Distributor for Arnott's Air Bags; might be worth a call ?

Laurie

Home - Airbag Suspension Specialists | Aussie Airbag Suspension (http://www.aussieairbagsuspension.com.au/arnott-air-springs.html)

They are mega expensive to buy in Aus, 2400 or something for a pair of fronts, I get all my parts from FCPEuro ex USA as they have lifetime free replacement including consumables. I can’t remember the price exactly but came to around 1300 landed for the fronts

[33chinacars]

. The reason I ask is that I have a quote for $1200 per Delphi front strut (seems to be about twice the going rate) plus one hour labour each side plus "recalibration".

WOW. That's a ripoff . I'm paying $ 352 each + GST & postage . Which is $1145 delivered for the pair. + I have a number of other item in my order . Postage would be cheaper if it was only the front struts

Murphy's Law . Probably should have ordered rear bags as well. What's the bet they go next. [bighmmm]

To the best of my knowledge Suspension is all original . 195,000 kms . I've owned it for the last 10 years

Cheers Gary

[Laurie]

They are mega expensive to buy in Aus, 2400 or something for a pair of fronts, I get all my parts from FCPEuro ex USA as they have lifetime free replacement including consumables. I can’t remember the price exactly but came to around 1300 landed for the fronts

That price was a shock to me, I wonder if that's Covid pricing ? :bat: They used to be alot more competitive a couple of years ago when I enquired !

Laurie

[FisherX]

So I've just finished my air spring replacement with the $140 ebay cheapy. My main issue is that my L322 is my work truck so I can't be off the road for more than a day or two. That makes waiting for parts from overseas non viable for breakdown parts.

So yes you get what you pay for and I did have an issue with the cheap spring from ebay.

The lower alignment pin is not in the right position so when the spring is inflated the pin pulls the lower seal to the side by a 2mm causing it to leak when air is applied. Luckily I tested the strut with air and worked out what was going on before I put it back in the car. So I fixed that by elongating the alignment hole in the strut 2mm inboard to correct it.

Other than that problem the air spring looks OK. I don't expect it to last another decade but the car is back on the road and that's the important part.

Would I recommend others use them? No. Would I use Chinese parts again? Yes.

[33chinacars]

So I got a little surprise tonight . More of a shock really

DHL sent me a bill for $ 310 . Was expecting to pay GST. $ 148
Question. Is it normal to pay GST on postage

Wasn't expecting to be hit by
Duty $ 52
Australian Government Charges $ 88
DISBURSEMENT Fee $ 22 [ What ever that is ]

So much for the good old days . Pre GST

[theelms66]

No that's just DHL many members can relate to your predicament. They have your goods and if you want them its ransom.bloody ripoff.

[Laurie]

DISBURSEMENT Fee $ 22 What ever that is

I think this charge is for collecting and then forwarding the GST monies to the Federal Treasury ! [bawl]

Laurie

[33chinacars]

No that's just DHL many members can relate to your predicament. They have your goods and if you want them its ransom.bloody ripoff.

Totally agreed . Ripoff :mad::censored::angry:

[irubix]

I absolutely hate the fact that there is a 1000 duty limit, I learnt my lesson the hard way there too. for my struts order from the USA i placed two orders keeping them both under $900, came to cheaper w/ two postage charges.

I have noticed that Island 4x4 have been raising the DHL rates over the last little while. Last order i did i felt it was expensive relative to the weight of the package.

I cant recommend this company and these struts enough though, (appreciate the OP has purchased already, but for future people!)
Land Rover Air Strut Assembly - Arnott Industries AS2962 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-air-strut-assembly-arnott-industries-as2962)
Land Rover Air Strut Assembly - Arnott Industries AS2961 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-air-strut-assembly-arnott-industries-as2961)

The best bit:
FCP Euro Lifetime Auto Parts Replacement Guarantee | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee)

Make sure to get a couple of these as from personal experience all other brands die quickly if youre taking your rig down tracks.
Land Rover Ball Joint - Lemforder RBK500210 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-ball-joint-lemforder-rbk500210)

R

[33chinacars]

Thanks all

Was aware of having to pay GST. Got caught with import duties etc . Wont load my order up next time. Or go with someone who doesn't use DHL

[NUTTTR]

I absolutely hate the fact that there is a 1000 duty limit, I learnt my lesson the hard way there too. for my struts order from the USA i placed two orders keeping them both under $900, came to cheaper w/ two postage charges.

I have noticed that Island 4x4 have been raising the DHL rates over the last little while. Last order i did i felt it was expensive relative to the weight of the package.

I cant recommend this company and these struts enough though, (appreciate the OP has purchased already, but for future people!)
Land Rover Air Strut Assembly - Arnott Industries AS2962 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-air-strut-assembly-arnott-industries-as2962)
Land Rover Air Strut Assembly - Arnott Industries AS2961 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-air-strut-assembly-arnott-industries-as2961)

The best bit:
FCP Euro Lifetime Auto Parts Replacement Guarantee | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee)

Make sure to get a couple of these as from personal experience all other brands die quickly if youre taking your rig down tracks.
Land Rover Ball Joint - Lemforder RBK500210 | FCP Euro (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/land-rover-ball-joint-lemforder-rbk500210)

R

I don't know how they do it... How does fcp euro do it!

[feraldisco]

I've read that if both sides of the vehicle go down in height that it's likely to be the valve block rather than a particular airbag. However, I can hear a major leak from the front RHS strut, yet the whole front is going down to minimum height (just above inner guards, which I'm glad I saw as it will make me plan offroad tyre choices carefully!).

Also, I've read that it's not a problem to drive the car in this state apart from the uncomfortable ride...but presumably it is working the compressor hard if it's continually battling against a leak.

[FisherX]

I've read that if both sides of the vehicle go down in height that it's likely to be the valve block rather than a particular airbag.

If you have a leak on one air bag on the front both will deflate as they have a cross connect valve that will operate as you drive and let the air out of the bag that doesn't have a leak.


Gary.

If your height readings on the sensor you took off are all over the place, stick your head under the car and make sure the arm on the sensor is pointing to the outside of the car and not pointing inboard. I made that mistake when I changed my spring. I didn't notice the arm went the wrong way when I put my strut back in until I plugged in my computer to inflate the suspension when I noticed the height readings were wrong. Easy fix just undo the two 8mm screws that bolt the sensor to the chassis and flip the arm over.

Cheers Steve.

[irubix]

Thanks all

Was aware of having to pay GST. Got caught with import duties etc . Wont load my order up next time. Or go with someone who doesn't use DHL

All major carriers will do this i think, my run in was with UPS..

[harlie]

If you have a leak on one air bag on the front both will deflate as they have a cross connect valve that will operate as you drive and let the air out of the bag that doesn't have a leak.




I've only experienced one leak in my 22 years of LR air suspension ownership. The front Left dropped when steering was to right and recovered when straight (top bearing seals) - at no point did the other front show signs of dropping. The ECU keep adding air to the affected corner and kept the cross link closed.

[33chinacars]

Well New Front Struts fitted . Rear Shocks & Brake pads

Car now sits level

But line values are all over the place . Front Left - 9300 mm . Sensor arm pointing out but may have been turned 360 degrees

Will see what happens after a bit of driving

Thanks everybody for your help

Cheers Gary :BigThumb:

[33chinacars]

So Went for a drive after setting all std heights

Air-Suspension Inactive . Clear faults

Rear still about right . But the front is now 6' in the air [bawl]:wallbash::censored:

Faulty sensor now Grrrr

[FisherX]

That's a bummer Gary,

With your scanner can you look at live data on the suspension heights? You might be able to disconnect and rotate that front left sensor around until you see if you can get it to show a height that is close to the other side.

[33chinacars]

That's a bummer Gary,

With your scanner can you look at live data on the suspension heights? You might be able to disconnect and rotate that front left sensor around until you see if you can get it to show a height that is close to the other side.

Had a play but no go

Waiting on new sensor

[33chinacars]

Starting to get majorly ****ed off

Fitted new sensor & wiring plug ( Left hand front )
Now up in the air on Standard Height ; Suspension lock button locked can't unlock. Pressed many times

Air Susp Inactive displayed on dashFrom IIDTool
ABS - Brake Module
0 x 8A Air Suspension System CAN error
EAS - Suspension
0 x 1E Front Left Height Sensor fault
IP - Instrument Pack
0 x D7 Fuel Sender 2 fault
0 x BD EBV Function fault received from ABS ECU
LCM - Light Control v12 +
0 x 57 Air Suspension Active / Inactive

Line Values
0 4 Current Height - 9739 247 Current Calibration
4 6 Current Height 134 134 Current Calibration

Thought all my problems would be over. But not so.
HELP Where to from here

[NUTTTR]

Did you calibrate the new sensor so the system knows its measurements?

[33chinacars]

Did you calibrate the new sensor so the system knows its measurements?

Not as Yet

Still can't unlock the lock button

Cleared all faults . Numbers of times

Took both leads off battery & touched together

[feraldisco]

I've also just replaced the front struts on 2007 Vogue using genuine units from Island4x4. Fitting went well and no leaks. Given that nothing electrical was touched, I assume I don't need to recalibrate anything (and the car sits evenly all round)? However, it occasionally does some weird things like raising suspension while driving and applying brakes automatically. Compressor seems to be running a lot too given there are no leaks. Could this just be a "hard fault" from the car being in slammed mode for so long? Is it possible to reset just by disconnecting battery or will I need a GapIID tool? Will I need to reset the steering angle sensor and can this be done just by turning steering wheel from lock to lock as some vids suggest? Thanks

[Laurie]

Gary
Not quite sure if your refering to this button or the main console ? There is a little button under the dash (drivers side) to the left of the diagnostics port, which is the "Transport Mode". It is usally disabled/removed when the car has it's pre-delivery service and inspection. Maybe you might have re-activated it when trying to clear the fault. Worth a try [bigwhistle] On my 2010 the switch has been removed altogether ( or pushed up) as I have a hole there now.

Laurie

[FisherX]

Line Values
0 4 Current Height - 9739 247 Current Calibration
4 6 Current Height 134 134 Current Calibration

The current calibration of the front left sensor looks like 9739mm. Is that right?

Then a re-calibration of the height should fix that. Something might have gone wrong the last time you did it with your old front left sensor.



(might not be relevant, but I replaced a front left height sensor on my 95RRC a while back and found the wire orientation in the new sensor was were wrong and I had to swap the two signal wires around)

[33chinacars]

Line Values
0 4 Current Height - 9739 247 Current Calibration
4 6 Current Height 134 134 Current Calibration

The current calibration of the front left sensor looks like - 9739mm. Is that right?

- 9739mm Yes is correct

Was the same [ - 9739mm ] with the old sensor I replaced . Although no faults recorded until I put the new sensor in.

Starting to think I may have a mouse problem. Chewed wires somewhere .


Yes Laurie
The Suspension Lock button on the main dash in the middle of the suspension height adjustment dial . It's locked , and I can't unlock no matter what I've tried so far.

Never seen Transport mode switch . Will have to have a look see

[feraldisco]

If you have a IID tool it's a easy job ! Most shops now charge at least 1/2 hr Labour charge for diagnostics unfortunately. I'm not sure if it can be adjusted with the IID Tool if your not the VIN registered owner ?? Some functions will work on any vehicle. Your welcome to borrow mine if it will work for you.[thumbsupbig]

Laurie

Hi Laurie - if this offer is still available I might take you up on it...couldn't PM you as your inbox is full. Thanks :)

[glenhendry]

Starting to get majorly ****ed off

Fitted new sensor & wiring plug ( Left hand front )
Now up in the air on Standard Height ; Suspension lock button locked can't unlock. Pressed many times

Air Susp Inactive displayed on dashFrom IIDTool
ABS - Brake Module
0 x 8A Air Suspension System CAN error
EAS - Suspension
0 x 1E Front Left Height Sensor fault


Hey mate, I could not clear the fault and unlock mine eaither recently until I fixed the CAN bus error. In mine it was the radio/dvd/tuner in the back that caused the CAN bus. I disconnected all those connectors and IIDTool could clear the fault. At the moment, I suspect the CAN fault is causing your non-clearing issue? Note that any of the CAN-enabled ECUs can pull the CAN line signal to ground (or to 12v), but I understand the ente3rtainment pack and ABS are the common culprits. There is a video on line I saw which showed you how to test the OBDII diag port with a DMM in order to see if the CAN bus line was at 0v or 12v instead of the signally~4ishV.

HTH.

[irubix]

Looks like the ABS fault is the problem there, same thing was happening to me i needed mine repaired.

[33chinacars]

So after trying nearly everything under the sun ☀️ finally had to give in and take it to a Land Rover specialist.


They replaced the EAS ECU. Problem solved l think. Computer wasn’t talking to the sensors . Have driven over 200 kms . All behaving it self so far

Just a little bit poorer

[FisherX]

Oh that sucks. You are always poorer when you have to resort to Land Rover.

[33chinacars]

Oh that sucks. You are always poorer when you have to resort to Land Rover.


That's why I do all my own work . But unfortunately not this time [bigsad][bigsad][bigsad]