SLS Issue

[stevo68]

G'day All,

I have Smokey having a habit of dropping onto its bumpstops when I have stopped car and opening back door or side doors. Has happened once on the move....but then will go days without doing it:confused:. You can see it here in this pic:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/681.jpg

What could be possible issues? It started to happen before my lift as well....opening the back door and maybe another door seems to be the trigger. At first I thought it was a polite thing it was doing by making it easier for me to a) load the roof rack...or b) get a beer out of the waeco :D. Appears this is not correct. Thanks in advance,

Regards

Stevo

P.S. I will be taking to dealers to look at but being armed with some info is always good

[tip]

there are a number of sls threads on the site (not an uncommon issue). the car should not sit on the stops hence there is an issue. the bags may have given out or it may be the valves at the compressor end. one way to check the bags is to spray them with soapy water and see if there are any holes although this will not work if the hole is under the fold. sometimes the fold will also cover up a hole and air will only escape if the car is at the right angle.

suggest you get it checked out asap as the compressor will be working overtime and they are expensive to replace.

[simonl8353]

Sorry cant see pic as the company firewall blocks it (i should be working anyway)

But wots s'ppose to appen is that even with the the engine off, opening any door (including rear) will set of the SLABS ECU into monitoring the height for half an hour. (yes it lives, even with the key out, freeky eh!)

The idea is that when you unload the camping gear/beer/7 adults, the rear will spring up. The height sensors notice this and tell the SLABS ECU that we're way too high now, which in turn will send a signal to the Compressor to vent air (big psssssfttt can be heard) to get the car down to within 20mm of the target ride height, ie normal height. This 20mm could be either +20mm or -20mm of the "normal height".

Sinking to the bump stops is a bit too low, suggesting;
1. Height sensors need calibrating
2. Airbag leaks
3. SLABS ECU needs re-programming.
4. Vent valve leak in compressor

My bet is #2.
Does it sink when the doors are shut, if so, its 99% certain to be #2.

Let us know what the diagnosis is.

I've a ton of experience now (not by choice :() changing compressors and airbags over.

[stevo68]

Sorry cant see pic as the company firewall blocks it (i should be working anyway)

But wots s'ppose to appen is that even with the the engine off, opening any door (including rear) will set of the SLABS ECU into monitoring the height for half an hour. (yes it lives, even with the key out, freeky eh!)

The idea is that when you unload the camping gear/beer/7 adults, the rear will spring up. The height sensors notice this and tell the SLABS ECU that we're way too high now, which in turn will send a signal to the Compressor to vent air (big psssssfttt can be heard) to get the car down to within 20mm of the target ride height, ie normal height. This 20mm could be either +20mm or -20mm of the "normal height".

Sinking to the bump stops is a bit too low, suggesting;
1. Height sensors need calibrating
2. Airbag leaks
3. SLABS ECU needs re-programming.
4. Vent valve leak in compressor

My bet is #2.
Does it sink when the doors are shut, if so, its 99% certain to be #2.

Let us know what the diagnosis is.

I've a ton of experience now (not by choice :() changing compressors and airbags over. Hey Simon/ Tip...thanks for that...thats just it....it hasnt sunk for 4 days now. Surely if it were a leak it would happen all the time?? When it does go down it happens nearly every time. Then for whatever reason it doesnt happen for days...ie when I hardly if ever open rear door...which I dont think I have over the 4 days:confused:

Regards

Stevo

[Stallad]

I had a similar probem, but mine would only go down on the one side - all the way to the stop by opening either the rear or back doors (It was quite happily sitting level, open the door and pffft, down it would go). The other problem was when off roading it would slowly leak down on the one side even though the car could sit for month and not go down. Turned out to be the bag being slightly porous at the fold, so at normal ride height it wouldn't leak but when off-roading it would to a point where the compressor would cut off (it has a maximum number of cycles before it cuts out to prevent overheating). I found the leak by squirting soapy water when jacked up on the tow bar to expose as much as possible of the bag. I ended up replacing both bags and getting the ECU cleared, I did nothing to the height sensors (there were heaps of fault codes including the compressor overcycle an a height sensor fault), has been perfect since.

[Urban Panzer]

I would go for Airbags to being the issue to.

Mine would do it randomly aswell, but mostly on one side, but then it would "sense" the difference in the height settings and drop the other side to.
New bags fitted, been fine since "touchwood". I did a write up for replacing them as well, its a pretty easy task to be honest.

www.discovery2.co.uk / Rear Suspension Air Bags (http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Rear%20Air%20Springs.html)

[DirtyDawg]

Maybe it was programmed by the dealer when new due to the owner being vertically challenged?........be easy to get the shopping out.;)

[stevo68]

I had a similar probem, but mine would only go down on the one side - all the way to the stop by opening either the rear or back doors (It was quite happily sitting level, open the door and pffft, down it would go). The other problem was when off roading it would slowly leak down on the one side even though the car could sit for month and not go down. Turned out to be the bag being slightly porous at the fold, so at normal ride height it wouldn't leak but when off-roading it would to a point where the compressor would cut off (it has a maximum number of cycles before it cuts out to prevent overheating). I found the leak by squirting soapy water when jacked up on the tow bar to expose as much as possible of the bag. I ended up replacing both bags and getting the ECU cleared, I did nothing to the height sensors (there were heaps of fault codes including the compressor overcycle an a height sensor fault), has been perfect since. Thats essentially what Smokey has been doing...seems to drop right hand side first and at some stage followed by left side.


Maybe it was programmed by the dealer when new due to the owner being vertically challenged?........be easy to get the shopping out.;) I thought it was for easy access to beer in fridge ala:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/801.jpg

Regards

Stevo

[tip]

if one side is going down first then it is most likely the bags. bet if you park it on a roadside with a fair camber then the back will drop. the shift in the mass of the car will open up the fold a bit and let the air out.

you are also hearing the compressor cycle after the engine is turned off??? it goes in short bursts of about 2-3 seconds. this also suggests leaking bags.

on level ground the bags tend to seal themselves therefore you may not see the car drop if its parked on level ground.

probable that the compressor is working overtime. my understanding is that the compressor will time itself out if it gets overheated. possibly why you have seen it bottom out whilst driving.

bags are fairly easy to replace if you can get your hands on a couple of trolley jacks.

[stevo68]

if one side is going down first then it is most likely the bags. bet if you park it on a roadside with a fair camber then the back will drop. the shift in the mass of the car will open up the fold a bit and let the air out.

you are also hearing the compressor cycle after the engine is turned off??? it goes in short bursts of about 2-3 seconds. this also suggests leaking bags.

on level ground the bags tend to seal themselves therefore you may not see the car drop if its parked on level ground.

probable that the compressor is working overtime. my understanding is that the compressor will time itself out if it gets overheated. possibly why you have seen it bottom out whilst driving.

bags are fairly easy to replace if you can get your hands on a couple of trolley jacks.Sounds like you have nailed it...though will check for compressor sound. Which now brings me to getting airbags...any suggestions...would rather see if I can do ( or more likely with help from some knowledgeable mates :))...

Regards

Stevo

[FenianEel]

Stevo,

I've had this issue, and replaced both airbags, after "soapy water" test. It's a 10min job and relatively simple, even for a novice.
Best place to get them is Arnotts in the US, about half the price (landed at your door) of anywhere here in OZ.
Although when I got mine, the $ was .96c not .66c
LAND ROVER Air Suspension Parts - Discovery II Series 1998-2004 (http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LAND_ROVER_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid4_pid48.ht ml)
They're US$283.80 for a pair + about US$55 postage = AUD$516
That's about $3-400 cheaper than anywhere else in OZ
IMHO they're far better made and better material than OEM or Airbag mans too.

My RHS has started to go down again, and this time it's not airbags. Apparently looks like valve body or possibly the thread that goes into compressor...the search continues
I like the SLS, but a coil conversion could be on the cars, they're only a few dollars as well.

Good Luck

[stevo68]

Stevo,

I've had this issue, and replaced both airbags, after "soapy water" test. It's a 10min job and relatively simple, even for a novice.
Best place to get them is Arnotts in the US, about half the price (landed at your door) of anywhere here in OZ.
Although when I got mine, the $ was .96c not .66c
LAND ROVER Air Suspension Parts - Discovery II Series 1998-2004 (http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LAND_ROVER_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid4_pid48.ht ml)
They're US$283.80 for a pair + about US$55 postage = AUD$516
That's about $3-400 cheaper than anywhere else in OZ
IMHO they're far better made and better material than OEM or Airbag mans too.

My RHS has started to go down again, and this time it's not airbags. Apparently looks like valve body or possibly the thread that goes into compressor...the search continues
I like the SLS, but a coil conversion could be on the cars, they're only a few dollars as well.

Good Luck Thanks for that mate....yep they are cheaper than what is on offer at airbagmans,

Regards

Stevo

[Ricey]

Had the same issue Stevo with the door slam & down she goes. Most of my trip into the Simpson involved a good door slam at the end of the day & a very easy unload! I left the bag replacement a little too long and found that the compressor was on its way out by the time the bags were changed. I got my bags from airbagman ex gst for $554 last year delivered. Can I quietly say - Buy Australian?

[stevo68]

Had the same issue Stevo with the door slam & down she goes. Most of my trip into the Simpson involved a good door slam at the end of the day & a very easy unload! I left the bag replacement a little too long and found that the compressor was on its way out by the time the bags were changed. I got my bags from airbagman ex gst for $554 last year delivered. Can I quietly say - Buy Australian? Thanks for that Pete...would be more than happy to buy australian bar the cost of around $200 more...which my friend is $200 to another mod :),

Regards

Stevo

[Ricey]

Where can you get 2 bags for $340 aud?


Thanks for that Pete...would be more than happy to buy australian bar the cost of around $200 more...which my friend is $200 to another mod :),

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

Where can you get 2 bags for $340 aud? The airbag mans are now $690 for 2,

Regards

Stevo

[Ricey]

Ah, ok.sorry about that. Thats a big jump in three months!

[simonl8353]

Stevo,

I've had this issue, and replaced both airbags, after "soapy water" test. It's a 10min job and relatively simple, even for a novice.
Best place to get them is Arnotts in the US, about half the price (landed at your door) of anywhere here in OZ.
Although when I got mine, the $ was .96c not .66c
LAND ROVER Air Suspension Parts - Discovery II Series 1998-2004 (http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LAND_ROVER_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid4_pid48.ht ml)
They're US$283.80 for a pair + about US$55 postage = AUD$516
That's about $3-400 cheaper than anywhere else in OZ
IMHO they're far better made and better material than OEM or Airbag mans too.

My RHS has started to go down again, and this time it's not airbags. Apparently looks like valve body or possibly the thread that goes into compressor...the search continues
I like the SLS, but a coil conversion could be on the cars, they're only a few dollars as well.

Good Luck

10 min job, hmmmmm.!
Ive done this 4 times now, I'm probably a bit anal about safety (as a qualified Fitter/Turner, (not practising)) but can chage over both in around 1 hr total. Land Rover quote 1 hr each side.
I agree it is a simple job, but you need to be vigilant that the vehicle is chocked and supported on stands, not a jack. Removing a wheel with the standard LR kit takes me 5 minutes!

I just posted some SLS stuff here you might be interested in. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery/71999-what-cost-basic-mods-upgrades-2.html#post916534

and this might help http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery/57160-d2-sls-airbag-replacement-completed.html

Cheers

Simon

[Pedro_The_Swift]

It is possible to rebuild the compressor(built by Wabco),,,
certainly cheaper than buying a new one,,,:angel:

[simonl8353]

Yes, I've been talking to WABCO all week.

I'll let you know what I find out.