Classic Air Suspenpion woes!! Help!!

[Chauffeurdude]

Hi. Hoping for some advice please about problem with my air suspension on my 94 Softdash. Have had few faults with it over last couple of years but twice got away with code read! Then we had lot more listed faults, height sensors, speed sensor etc but was still working fine albeit in default mode!! Recently decided should replace the air bags as sank quickly when parked and compressor running alot. Duly did this and towed caravan few days later with no problems. Still running default mode but had got some new height sensors to fit. Anyway after towing trip (150 miles) started car and no suspension action! Struggled it back to base presuming compressor had died. Bought and fitted NOS one, still no joy!! Old one was knackered and seals were going. It would appear something is not triggering somewhere? We can power the compressor up with power probe and with car running nothing happens still. Thinking either valve block playing up or wiring/relay to trigger compressor? Seems to be very little info out there and advice so far is pretty much 'convert it to springs mate' Obviously in some ways this is the best option but I do like the air suspension and as the car tows alot (caravan/car trailer) it is very useful. Apologies for long post but any advice gratefully received as need to fetch my caravan back from Somerset!! Many thanks.

[tubster1275]

Hi,

You should be able to diagnose the valve block and compressor/air system using very basic tools.

The link below shows you how to manually operate the system using simple wire links you can also test the compressor relay, power and sensor circuit using a link wire.

http://www.carelect.demon.co.uk/rrair3.html

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/airsuspen...

One other check is to see if the inhibit switch isn't switched under the drivers seat. It does sound likely that the old compressor might have triggered the fault.

I recovered my first Classic using this information in the end I made a simple switched setup using an old electric window switch panel off a granada.

Black Box solutions do a very nice EAS kicker tool it costs about £250 for the fully unlocked version but that enables you to clear faults and recalibrate the system when you change out sensors.

Cheers,

Mike

[task]

Used to use this and a cable on my old mans '94 classic;

http://sourceforge.net/projects/easunlock/

Need to make up a cable and get a laptop with a serial port though.

[Chauffeurdude]

Brilliant!! Thanks guys for taking the trouble to reply. Those links are excellent!! I did order a lead off fleabay which comes with software for laptop to get into the system. That has arrived today and armed with printout from those links I will have another go tomorrow as working most of today/tonight. Lets hope we can crack it!! Cheers.

[Chauffeurdude]

Quick update. Got into system and cleared codes, still no joy!! Auto Electrician friend has had a look and was convinced ECU was at fault. Got another good one off good old fleabay. Also got new delay relay but still no joy!! No fault codes present but can only power the system up off the laptop. He reckons everything is working as it should but effectively failing to trigger!! Getting fed up now!!
Does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram as this would be a great help?
Also what does the delay relay AMR1111 actually do?
Many thanks again.

[tubster1275]

Hi,

The delay relay allows the system to wake up every now and then and adjust the level of the car, it's often why if you have a leaky bag the whole car is flat in the morning because it keeps adjusting itself down.

Now there could be a couple of things causing your issue first is the inhibit switch under the drivers seat if that is selected the suspension will not change height handy for working under the car. The other thing is if a door or the tailgate is open (or the switch/wiring is such that it thinks it's open) that will also inhibit height changes.

cheers,

Mike

[Chauffeurdude]

Thank you. The delay relay obviously worked in the past then because it did adjust the height. If I came back to car to get something out etc would adjust down as I shut the door again.

My mate has found some useful info tonight online apparently so fingers crossed for the morning!! Cheers!!

[Chauffeurdude]

Well we got there in the end!! Found some wiring diagrams and other useful info on the net which helped to crack it!! Had to replace the delay relay with one off fleabay, cost £4.99 but £15 fuel to collect as needed it asap!! Much fiddling about later it is working!! Turns out height sensors were all okay. My friend also found a broken wire in loom to ECU which then meant system wasn't triggering! Looks like we had several faults all contributing to the problem!!

Anyway so chuffed we got it working. No lights on either, even goes up or down on the button as intended. Fixed it on friday and done about 100 miles over last few days seemingly okay. Feeling braver now so going to Somerset to fetch caravan back at lunchtime!! If you see a grey Range Rover on bump stops on hard shoulder of M5 then you know we failed!!

Thanks to all who contributed with advice over last few days, very much appreciated. Cheers!!