Thread: D2 air suspension intermittent "drop"

Get under it with a spray bottle of soapy water, when you hear it leaking. Change the relay, it's most likely to be the cause.

does not sound like a air bag leak. the compressor and valves is under the passenger seat on the outside in a black box,the cover can be removed with a flat screwdriver [2 screws] you will hear air being dumped from that area when the suspension detects that the car is to high, it also self levels for a few minutes after shutdown. I would be finding that relay and swap it for another first. also dont let the compressor run continuously as they will quickly burn out. you check the airbags for leaks by putting it in extended height and squirting the bags with soapy water.

Originally Posted by lewy

does not sound like a air bag leak. the compressor and valves is under the passenger seat on the outside in a black box,the cover can be removed with a flat screwdriver [2 screws] you will hear air being dumped from that area when the suspension detects that the car is to high, it also self levels for a few minutes after shutdown. I would be finding that relay and swap it for another first. also dont let the compressor run continuously as they will quickly burn out. you check the airbags for leaks by putting it in extended height and squirting the bags with soapy water.

I didn't know you could extend the airbags height (will look into that). Relay is first thing I'll check as don't think it is airbag leak (because it stays up).
I was worried that the pump might overheat if it had to keep working, so will be checking for leaks which might be consequence of rough travel.
It has stayed up all day today and behaved.

Originally Posted by vbrab

I didn't know you could extend the airbags height (will look into that). Relay is first thing I'll check as don't think it is airbag leak (because it stays up).
I was worried that the pump might overheat if it had to keep working, so will be checking for leaks which might be consequence of rough travel.
It has stayed up all day today and behaved.

Could be a sticky exhaust valve solenoid in the compressor assy.

Originally Posted by mylesaway

Could be a sticky exhaust valve solenoid in the compressor assy.

Yes it does seem odd as it has stayed up for 48 hours now, no drop.
As all this started pretty much after a horror trip on a rough dusty track, it may well have dust somewhere in there
If something was cracked or had a hole in it, it would have dropped (I assume).
If it is a sticky solenoid, hope I can buy one without having to buy a new pump.

the airbags can leak were there is a fold,most of the time it is covered and wont leak,that is the reason for putting it on extended height to test for leaks.

Originally Posted by lewy

the airbags can leak were there is a fold,most of the time it is covered and wont leak,that is the reason for putting it on extended height to test for leaks.

I only just realised that I could raise the height. (But then it did take me 3 years to work out that my D3 had a "low" range, simply because I never needed it.)
Raised the height and it didn't go down (put it back to usual height), and now has remained at correct height for 3 days and behaving itself.
I think i will source a spare relay just in case.

Originally Posted by vbrab

I only just realised that I could raise the height. (But then it did take me 3 years to work out that my D3 had a "low" range, simply because I never needed it.)
Raised the height and it didn't go down (put it back to usual height), and now has remained at correct height for 3 days and behaving itself.
I think i will source a spare relay just in case.

Yep, could have just been a bit of grit in the exhaust solenoid.I have an old compressor here and the solenoid is serviceable- as in you can get at it to clean it out etc.
I also have a 'new' s/h compressor here and also a piston ring kit. Hard to get a good s/h one in Oz these days. A few on ebay UK, but don't forget they drive on salty
roads in winter over there so not too sure how good they would be. Too bloody expensive to buy new!

How long since you've changed the air filter for the compressor? They often get forgotten or people don't know that it exists.

You could swap relay 5 (SLABS) with No3 (Headlamp washer) in an emergency. Any 40amp 4 pole relay should do it tho'....
The compressor draws about 25amps and is protected by fuse F11 (30amp)

If you ever get stuck in emergency for any D2 parts, then send me a PM. I have quite a few bits and bobs here.
And I'm only just down the road.....