Suspension Fault “Normal Height Only”

[Hunter]

I have my first LandRover fault arise following a bit of hard core Sand Driving at Robe SA.

Fault “Normals Height Only” has started to display during driving noting the following considerations
- It resets every time I turn car off.
- I can achieve all x3 set heights (access, normal and raised)
- selector switch flashes during height adjustment then turns solid once selected height achieved (I’m assuming this indicates the individual spring level switches are operational and achieving correct position)
- At raised and access height positions the compressor builds system Pressure running on for <2min following achieving height then automatically turning off. It only comes on after to maintain system pressure.
- At normal height again the height position is achieved, compressor runs on to achieve system pressure but doesn’t achieve it. Due to this is runs for up to ~5min then cuts out at which point the alarm comes up “normal height only”
- I have tested overnight potential sag by raising car measuring from ground then leave overnight to measure again without any notable drop.

I am assuming the cut out is designed to protect the compressor from burning out and that for some reason only occurs at normal heigh position as the system is not able to achieve desired pressure.

Interestingly have noticed that in the morning it occurs consistently but after work last couple of days I’ve been able to drive home with no issue.

I’m new to the D4 suspension system so was looking for some guidance before I start pulling out valve blocks, tanks, compressors and doing system leak testing. Unfortunate I don’t have my own Nanocom (yet) so have booked in for a diagnostic read ($200 later)

Insight??

[Tins]

Unfortunate I don’t have my own Nanocom (yet) so have booked in for a diagnostic read ($200 later)

Insight??

I can't help, but I have been told that a GAP tool is better than a Nanocom for the D4. Check the particular forum about that.

[Bulletman]

Gday and welcome to the forum ,

I am guessing you have a slow leak - the car sitting over night will self level so when you come out in the morning unless it has lost a considerable amount of air , the car will seem level , once you start the car that when it will adjust to its normal height , this is where if you have a leak or a blocked or restricted compressor the car will fault, generally because it is taking to long to rise.

Once the car has reached its height and built pressure then generally during daytime use , as it hasnt sat as long it seems to operate ok. This is a very basic view , of course there could be several other things that are causing it but without a fault code its very hard .

The compressor will run generally for several minutes then its shuts off , this is normal ... I am unsure about the D4 , but the D3 usually shows you a message on the dash if its a problem like vehicle slow to raise, and i believe if the compressor continues to run... but i may be wrong on that last one..

Code reader is the first tool you should buy for these cars . In your case maybe some soapy water in a squirty bottle and start with the compressor fittings and then try each airbag at the top where the air line enters ... if you look thru the wheel arch above the tyre you should be able to see where the airline enters the airbag.

Cheers Bulletman

[Narangga]

Welcome to the forum. I have a D3 and have had something similar. Within 10 seconds of start up I get a suspension fault but the vehicle will raise and lower. Mostly but not always I get the 'Normal Height only' on the message centre. Turn off, restart and fault disappears with ops normal again.

I have a Nanocom (part of a group buy but should have bought the GAP IID tool but didn't want the extra stress on the marriage with the extra outlay at the time) and it reads the fault as 'Suspension filling too quickly (algorithm based)' or something similar. I have deleted the last picture I took of it.

This occurs when the vehicle sits for a day or three. I have been driving it every day of late and have not had the fault in over 3 weeks. Hence I have not run it into town for the indie to put his Autologic machine on it and then send the fault for interrogation to Autologic.

As all will say - you need to read the fault and get the code to progress any further. Interesting that a D4 has come up with something similar. All the best with the fault finding.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I have my first LandRover fault arise following a bit of hard core Sand Driving at Robe SA.

Fault “Normals Height Only” has started to display during driving noting the following considerations
- It resets every time I turn car off.
- I can achieve all x3 set heights (access, normal and raised)
- selector switch flashes during height adjustment then turns solid once selected height achieved (I’m assuming this indicates the individual spring level switches are operational and achieving correct position)
- At raised and access height positions the compressor builds system Pressure running on for <2min following achieving height then automatically turning off. It only comes on after to maintain system pressure.
- At normal height again the height position is achieved, compressor runs on to achieve system pressure but doesn’t achieve it. Due to this is runs for up to ~5min then cuts out at which point the alarm comes up “normal height only”
- I have tested overnight potential sag by raising car measuring from ground then leave overnight to measure again without any notable drop.

I am assuming the cut out is designed to protect the compressor from burning out and that for some reason only occurs at normal heigh position as the system is not able to achieve desired pressure.

Interestingly have noticed that in the morning it occurs consistently but after work last couple of days I’ve been able to drive home with no issue.

I’m new to the D4 suspension system so was looking for some guidance before I start pulling out valve blocks, tanks, compressors and doing system leak testing. Unfortunate I don’t have my own Nanocom (yet) so have booked in for a diagnostic read ($200 later)

Insight??
It should not take the compressor that long to fill, on my MY11 D4 its 30sec or less from access to normal and less from normal to offroad. About 1 minute from access to offroad (if you press the suspension button twice from the car sitting at access height). Even when I changed out all 4 struts and emptied all corners, it took less than 2 minutes to fill the entire system.

So either the desiccant has turned to dust and the filter pads, inlet and exhaust valves are blocked or you have a leak. As the car is not sagging or lowering by itself, my guess is the former. The compressor motor will trip out on over temp to protect itself. This is why it then says normal height only.

The compressors are easy to pull out and you can get a full service kit from X8R on Ebay including new desiccant, seals and filter pads, don't waste money on a new compressor. Valve blocks are also pretty easy to remove and service, but replacing them is easier. Start with the X8R kit and go from there.

The system is pretty simple once you understand it, and actually quite robust. Mines 10yo on original compressor with 1 service kit and new struts last month (the dampers inside were buggered, air bags still 100%) at 209000km.

[Macadamia]

The compressors are easy to pull out and you can get a full service kit from X8R on Ebay including new desiccant, seals and filter pads, don't waste money on a new compressor. Valve blocks are also pretty easy to remove and service, but replacing them is easier. Start with the X8R kit and go from there.

is the X8R kit substantially different from the kits half the price sourced locally?

[Eric SDV6SE]

is the X8R kit substantially different from the kits half the price sourced locally?

No idea, I thought the X8R kit was ok, I went with that one as it includes all seals, o rings and the alloy cap.

Up to you

[DiscoDB]

is the X8R kit substantially different from the kits half the price sourced locally?

Difference would be country of origin and quality of the parts.

[DiscoJeffster]

Difference would be country of origin and quality of the parts.

TBH I’ve not seen any local kits cheaper or local so maybe a link to said cheap kits would be more helpful???

[DiscoDB]

TBH I’ve not seen any local kits cheaper or local so maybe a link to said cheap kits would be more helpful???

You will find them on e-bay. Sellers based in China selling kits claimed to be located in Australia for around half the price of the X8R kits delivered. Kits look the same but would be coming from China via a Sydney based distribution centre.

Personally I would stick with X8R - rare to see a seller with a 100% positive rating and no negative reviews out of the thousands of sales they make.

[PerthDisco]

Can I just re-recommend 4x4airseals as a supplier with maybe more scope of product and support across the full compressor and air block system. Excellent videos and personal service also.

[Tombie]

Can I just re-recommend 4x4airseals as a supplier with maybe more scope of product and support across the full compressor and air block system. Excellent videos and personal service also.

They have a good rep.

I’m waiting on my order to arrive.

[Bulletman]

Very good service from them for me as well. Items were perfect match, very clearly labelled and a how to sheet included as well as the links to various support vids.

Bulletman

[Parso]

Fault “Normals Height Only” has started to display

How'd you go Hunter?