Air suspension

[Tony H]

Hi all,

I am a new member and keen for some advice regarding an intermittent problem regarding my 2000 4.0L intermittently refusing to rise. When cold, it will get off the bump stops and is drivable (this is a after a 10 month rest sitting doing nothing) but doesn't achieve a state whereby the light/s go to steady. I have done the following - checked that the compressor sucks (although it isn't really trying to pull my finger off) and sprayed soapy water around the area where the connections are. The bags were changed maybe a year before if had it's 10 month sleep (faulty thermostat, swapped yesterday and no more overheating issues).

I'm sure this has been done to death and I've tried researching the problem but I have an acquired brain injury which affects my memory and getting (and RETAINING) the right information can be a challenge for me.

Thank you so much in advance for any tips.

Oh this is my second P38, I also had an 97 model from new, 2 Discos from new a Classic, and a P6 many moons ago.

Cheers,

TONY - Melbourne

[TheTree]

Hi Tony

Does it stay up overnight once it does come up?

Might just be a tired compressor though a lot of us have found that the valve block driver packs are failing at this age

Steve

[PeterH]

From what you are describing, it sounds like pressure is slow to build in the tank.
Try starting the car with a door open and time how long it takes for the compressor to cut off.
Having the door open stops it trying to rise up at the same time, so the tank will fill much more quickly.
Once the compressor cuts off, close the door (no foot on brake or any doors open) and it should rise up to proper level straight away.
I would do that as a first step.
From empty, I think around 7 or 8 mins is probably ok to fill the air tank, if it takes much longer I would suspect the compressor seal neeeds replacing.
That is a fairly easy job, good videos on you tube about this, RSW solutions is a good place to start there.

It may also be losing pressure overnight, which means an air leak somewhere in the system.
I have read cold weather can cause the rubber o rings to be more prone to leaking.
I have found a leaky o ring, or possibly diaphragm in the valve block can cause pressure loss overnight.
Rebuilding the valve block is not that hard, but is much more involved than the compressor.

I would check those out first before looking at the valve block driver pack.
Hope that is of some help!
Cheers, Pete.

[Tony H]

Thanks Steve ... once it's up it will stay up. I had the block replaced with the bags when the suspension died about 2 years back.

Interestingly, there is no air susp. relay where it shows one should be, in the under hood fusebox. I find this curious as no-one has removed it!

Car has 270,000 kays on it and the engine sounds like a new one. Much less hassle than my previous 4.6 ...

[Keithy P38]

Oh dear! Bastardized EAS mean trouble....

That said, I agree with the above. Start it up, while in the cab, select your desired height (if not already selected), then open the door and hop out, leaving the door open for a few minutes. If the height LED doesn't flash when you close the door finally, pop in quickly and reselect your desired height, and hop out and watch her majesticly rise!

Good luck!

Cheers
Keithy

[Tony H]

Thanks Keith, did I mention that the relay which is supposed to be in the fusebox under the bonnet wasn't there. I thought that a bit odd, as no one would have touched it. I pulled the aircon relay and put it in the place of the air suspension and it works "better". Damn confusing.

[DieselLSE]

Hi Tony, I see you are in Melbourne. If you are anywhere near Brighton, you are welcome to come over and I will have a look for you. At least I will be able to read and clear any error codes and reset the suspension. I suspect a burnt out relay has not been replaced. PM me for my address if interested.

[finallyrangie]

Any idea how old your fuse box is? I found lots of issues went away when I put a new one in.