SLS - air discharge - really weird

[rdavies]

Hi, I have a 2000 TD5, in the last few weeks the SLS air springs "randomly" discharge and bottom out, but it only seems to happen if you jump around in the boot (or kids bouncing around in the back) after stopped (engine off). Once engine is back on springs pump up no worries. Its really weird.... I have checked the air springs, no leaks, checked both height sensors, no damage and sit ok. I pulled the air pump out, sprayed soapy water around all the connectors and no leaks there either. I did notice a very slight ticking noise in the RH & LH air valves. Is this normal? I disconnected the power cables and the click stopped, so assume it is the valves.

I dont believe I have any leaks as the vehicle is not sagging in the mornings or after long periods sitting.

Has anyone seen this before?

Cheers

Richard

[stig0000]

hi mate, the car will self level an drop on there guts when you tern it off, its so its easier to get things out the back, if there is no leaks i wouldn't worry bout it,

the valves do make a noise when they work, have you owned the car since new, its probably you haven't notest it before somehow,

[Rosscoe68]

if the rear of the disco is lifted when its stationary,. the heights sensors still work even if the engine is running for up to 25 mins i think after the engine is stopped. that means it will let air out of the air springs if the rear is lifted, might be that the kids jumping up and down is making the sensors let air out. i know if i lift my caravan up on the jockey wheel while attached to disco, the air suspension tries to let it down.

[Urban Panzer]

The car will adjust the height if the load on the rear changes even with the engine off, how ever it should DEF NOT drop to the bumpstops, if its doing that, you either have a really big leak, or your height sensors are faulty.

[tip]

sometimes the leak is under the fold in the bag or at the seal and will only leak when the car is at the right angle, the mass shifts the bag and exposes the leak.

my left hand bag would leak when parked roadside and the camber of the road shifted the vehicle mass. it would go down to the bumpstop (which it should not do). i could also get it to leak by rocking the car side to side (like having kids jump around in the boot). if the compressor runs after the car is turned off (it goes in short bursts) consistently then this is also consistent with a leak.

best to change the bags over asap if there is a leak as the compressor is most likely working overtime with the danger of it giving up.

changing bags is not that difficult. shop around for the best price (i recently paid $400 for an oem bag)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

go here
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/59179-eas-electronic-air-suspension-sls-self-levelling-mods-emergency-fixes-kits.html
read ALL the SLS posts,,
most of the above posts are correct.
sorry stig,,,:p

[DI5CO]

Happened to mine that way, jumped in the back,sssssssss went down. parked on an angle,ssssssssssss went down. Leave it on a flat surface & stayed up. I basically had the same problem as tip except the RHS. Got my replacement bags from Arnotts Industries in the US for about $350 landed for both in a week. Aussie dollar back in July was much better then (i think 97c). i use the good old one as a spare. Air Suspension Kits, Air Shocks, Parts, Struts, Air Suspension Bags and Pumps - Arnott Industries (http://www.arnottindustries.com)
do as tip says, replace asap so that the compressor doesnt work overtime.
Dave.