Help!!!! Air suspension dropped... won't come back up!!

[Whippet]

Hi Guys,

Need some help urgently on where to look. I have a 1999 Disco TD5 and this morning as I was driving to work the SLS warning light came on and a few seconds later the rear of the car was down on the stops.

Several weeks ago I changed the air springs and not had any problems since. Thought maybe one of the push fittings had come loose but after jacking her up these appear to be fine, but both bags are soft. I also checked the connections at the compressor end and they appear fine.

Yesterday I changed the fuel filter and to give a little more room to work I used the offroad button to give the extra lift on the rear. I took the car for a spin after replacing the filter and saw/felt no signs of problems.

When I have the engine ticking over I can feel and hear a light clunk/click from the compressor every 15 - 20 seconds.

Is this a faulty compressor or is it reacting to another fault elsewhere in the system?

I am in the Crawley/Gatwick area and need to travel home to Gloucestershire tomorrow evening so any advice now would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Whippet]

Any ideas... things to check... anyone?

 

[thought it was mine!]

sounds like fook'd compressor loads of threads on here about d2 sus try a search loads of links as well

 

[Whippet]

Loads of things on here but nothing that exhibits the same symptoms. Almost all the other threads talk about itngoing down overnight (wish the missus would ). But this went down in a matter of seconds and won't come up again.

Is the noise from the compressor a fault with the compressor itself or is it the noise it makes when the back pressure suddenly goes? Don't want to spent out on a new compressor if the fault is elsewhere.

Assuming springs are ok and the connections to them... what is the next component in the circuit that could be faulty?

 

[spanishlair]

The best thing you can do it get it on a diagnostic tester. It could be any of at least three things, and if you start down the road of changing a part to see if its that, you will end up spending a mint. when I first started out on the road of Disco ownership Dave aka The Big Lad suggested a get a Hawkeye. Sound advice, the best 250 quid I have spent. I know a fella near you who is great...but he aint got a Hawkeye..So he will fit a new compresser...change the air springs.. change the ride height sensors..change the valve block...sell you a new ECU..and in the end hope he has solved the problem.

 

[Whippet]

Thanks for the advice Spanish Lair... what and where is the valve block? Is that the cylindrical object just to the rear of the compressor which has the pipes going to it or what?

 

[Whippet]

Anyone in the Crawley area with a Hawkeye/Nanocom who could assist... for obvious reasons I can't get to you

 

[Whippet]

Obviously, I don't expect something for nothing... willing to offer a few beer tokens for any help. Also, willing to help out as an extra pair of hands if anyone else needs help...

 

[romkib]

mine goes down occasionaly (and the wife)
it may sound stupid but are the doors closed when you try to re inflate the bags i left mine parked up for a couple of days before i found out doors need to be closed

 

[Whippet]

Yes the doors are closed... dropped the window then reached in to start car. Found that one out when the bags were leaking

 

[thebiglad]

Yes the doors are closed... dropped the window then reached in to start car. Found that one out when the bags were leaking

Hiya mate, here are some suggestions to help diagnose the problem.

Drop the drivers door window, start the car from the outside and watch - nothing happening? Then press the off-road button and listen to the compressor - does it fire up? If it doesn't, check the fuseable link in the engine bay fuse box. I think it's either 30 or 40 amp but the lid will tell you which one it is.

If it's blown, replace and try again. If it works, check the air filter in the rear passenger side 'D' post - directly behind the the light cluster. Also check the canister (black plastic thing) in the incoming air line, just before the compressor going towards the rear of the car. It is know for these to crack and fall to bits.

If the compressor doesn't fire up at all, get some hot soapy water and spray it around the valve block next to the compressor - you are checking for leaks.

 

[Whippet]

Thanks for the advice Big Lad. I will go through the checks as you've suggested but I can hear and feel this clunk from the compressor approximately every 15 seconds or so which implies there is power to the compressor.

The warning light is always lit on the dashboard (under ignition) so reckon some diagnostics may help if I can get someone to do it.

I am gonna have to get the AA out to relay me home. So if anyone out there in the Gloucester/Stroud area with a Hawkeye/Nanocom is available this weekend then please PM me. I'll slip you a few beer tokens for your troubles.

Having spend £1400 on her in the last 2 months (clutch, 4 tyres, air springs, track rods and several misc other bits) I really don't want to get a new compressor unless necessary. And sods law, it was due for M.O.T. tomorrow .

 

[Whippet]

AA got me home (saved a fortune in fuel at least). Just need some diagnostics... anyone able to help? Local garage reckon they can't get out till next weekend to look at it .

 

[Whippet]

For anyone interested it was a height sensor giving up. There was no signal from the sensor at all. Replaced it and all was well with the world ... just got to get it through the M.O.T. now.

Thanks for trying guys.