Thread: Does EAS really hard fault that often?

Originally Posted by glenhendry

Every time I read someone's web pages or comments about the dreaded 'EAS hard faults, with a long trip on the bump stops', I am filled with fear of my next occurrence. The problem is that I have never had one! Indeed, tributes are so rare that the system has been described as 'dumb'. The stories give you the impression that if you do anything to the EAS and the EAS computer notices, it will go into a hard fault mode and not be able to be reset by anyone other than the dealer. I get this kind of impression, 'whatever you do, dont turn the ignition on with any EAS component out of kilter else you will go into hard fault mode'.

I have had several 'issues' with my EAS system and every single time, when the issue was put right (wether it be a air spring off, or a valve block removed, or a compressor problem, or a bellow pop off, etc) the EAS system realised that everything was OK and went 'out' of hard fault mode.

Perhaps it is only early P38 EAS ECUs that are so prone to the "take me to the dealer" condition and the later 99+? versions do more self analysis and reset? I have never noticed any difference between hard fault and soft fault, and it has never needed the dealer or an EAS kicker. I am not scared of the EAS height switch flashing lights, it always seems to work itself out... Anyone care to educate me on hard vs soft faults?

The only time mine went totally U/S was when the EAS drive box attached to the valve block went beserk. Even then, it was partly controllable with the EAS Unlock s/w (running on an iPAQ4150 PDA) continuously connected and doing a reset at each set of red traffic lights... I kid you not...
With the driver changed I haven't heard "beep" since!

It's happened to me once after a compressor had worn enough that it would no longer inflate the system quickly enough. I ended up driving back to Sydney from Coffs Harbour on the bump-stops in the middle of the night.

Yes, you can drive at 110km/h on the bump-stops of the road is smooth enough. Other times, you are reduced to 20km/h or less.

I agree with Ron, there is not much of a problem if you are travelling along a well made road otherwise its pretty painfull. As mentioned in another thread I travelled from Macksville to the Sunshine Cst in hard fault mode last week and also from Macksville to Raymond Terrace coming home. I must say though that Qld roads are generally better than NSW. I am still in the process of sorting out all the issues with my EAS so I am regularly getting an EAS fault recorded. The computer with Eas unlock is a regular passenger

Every p38a on or off the road should have a manual air recovery system fitted. You should also carry an electric tyre pump. Then if you have a problem which isn't easily fixable, turn off the taps, pull the plug on the pump and pump the system back up to 60 or 70 lbs. Then if you need you can pull out the valveblock for repair but still drive your car.

Originally Posted by parasnoop67

Every p38a on or off the road should have a manual air recovery system fitted. You should also carry an electric tyre pump. Then if you have a problem which isn't easily fixable, turn off the taps, pull the plug on the pump and pump the system back up to 60 or 70 lbs. Then if you need you can pull out the valveblock for repair but still drive your car.

That's good advice, thank you, which manual system is the one that you recommend, and why?

Is there an electric compressor that can be recommended?
thanks
Syd

Most people are missing the point. Maybe I wrote it badly. The title says "does it happen often". I have MARS. I wasn't asking for advice about fixing EAS, there are many posts with those answers. The question is, when I have had serious EAS issues, the system always un-faults itself once the issue is dealt with. I have never used a kicker or a dealer to reset. It doesn't correlate with the written wisdom.

Does it happen often.

Yes it certainly can and sometimes does.
I went through a longish period with a faulty fr sensor.
This may have been caused by fr sensor going out of range after hitting a deepish hole.
All would be fine for an hour or so on the highway, and suddenly beep-beep
The sensor in question had a dead spot and if it sat on that spot on a smooth road for a shortish time it would fault out.
Since replacing the sensor about 9 months ago, it hasn't faulted once and it gets serious off road use fairly often.
When I first bought it, the first time it really flexed it faulted with all lights on, and pumped up hard. Took a toilet break and when I restarted it, it was ok.
I found that uncleared faults tend to come back and there are many variations to their names.
I purchased a cable from paul at Hardrange and used Storey Wilson's eas unlock program to adjust the computer to get it sitting nice and even and a little more height. This also gives a list of all stored faults.

Sorry re. mars system, thought you didn't have one as you said I am filled with fear etc.

Cheers John

Dot