SCBM

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Hi Members!

I am sure somebody here will be able to provide light on my problem.
I live in Spain and have inherited my grandfather's pride and joy, a 1999 custom Discovery II he purchased here in Spain straight from the factory. After 24 years of driving like a dream with no faults, as soon as I inherited it last year it has been nothing but a headache with the air suspension.
Unfortunately I live in a remote area where it is difficult to come by mechanics who even understand a Land Rover, let alone air suspension, so I have pretty much had to try and work things out for myself and tell mechanics what to do.

But now I am lost. I will explain...

I go to pick up the car to drive it 1000km back home when I notice the rear suspension was dodgy.
Both left and right air bags were leaking....so I replaced with 2 new ones.
Tested it out a few days, compressor seemed to be working, sensors good and the car was level and doing what it should.
I drive back home and enjoy the car for 6 months.
One day I notice (whilst driving) the rear suspension dropping slowly all the way to its lowest on both sides. When the car turned off and on again, it would correct itself and go back to normal height.
Suddenly another 2 months go past without lowering of rear suspension.
One day I notice same thing happening, take it to mechanic and they tell me the 2 air bags need replacing.
Confirmed air pipes, compressor, scrubbers, filters, sensors and computer all in working order. Mechanics suspects perhaps issue with block valve in compressor box. Install new block valve (not WABCO).
Replace 2 air bags.
Car drives perfectly.
Ten days later, WHILST driving down motorway, one air bag blows and 3 seconds later the other air bag also blows.
Back to mechanic to change air bags whilst in warranty. All tested, seems to work and drive perfectly.
After a few weeks, FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE drops and LEFT REAR air bag is inflated to the max.
Back to mechanic. Nobody knows what to suggest.
Car was fiddled with, compressor looked at again, etc and was told that the only thing that could still be causing issues is the block valve.
After much fiddling, car suddenly is level and drives a treat.
I take it on a 2000km drive.
Two weeks later, went out for the morning, came back 12am, parked the car, and at 10pm hear a HUGE and very familiar bang.
LEFT REAR air bag blown.
Currently waiting for new air bag to arrive, again in warranty.

But I feel I am just going round in circles and spending fortunes getting nowhere. So before I even think about replacing air bag, I really want to know what on earth is wrong with this car.

I have gotten to the point where local mechanics are terrified I will contact them for help with the car and have closed all doors on me. I wish I had the knowledge but I just don't and haven't yet met a fellow LR owner who has experienced same issues.

Would really appreciate some advice or recommendations. I know it is difficult online without seeing car in person but I am yet hopeful.

Many thanks in advance :)
 
As do the wiring/connectors going to them. Sounds like you already know but BEFORE removing/replacing the ride height sensors MAKE sure you disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then you can commence work otherwise you'll lose the suspension settings & will need a suitable diagnostic tool & the calibration blocks to reset/recalibrate the suspension. Very strange that it keeps popping the air springs, what make are the ones being fitted? Continental are probably the best but having said that I fitted Dunlops on mine which looked to be good quality,all the best.
 
Hi Members!

I am sure somebody here will be able to provide light on my problem.
I live in Spain and have inherited my grandfather's pride and joy, a 1999 custom Discovery II he purchased here in Spain straight from the factory. After 24 years of driving like a dream with no faults, as soon as I inherited it last year it has been nothing but a headache with the air suspension.
Unfortunately I live in a remote area where it is difficult to come by mechanics who even understand a Land Rover, let alone air suspension, so I have pretty much had to try and work things out for myself and tell mechanics what to do.

But now I am lost. I will explain...

I go to pick up the car to drive it 1000km back home when I notice the rear suspension was dodgy.
Both left and right air bags were leaking....so I replaced with 2 new ones.
Tested it out a few days, compressor seemed to be working, sensors good and the car was level and doing what it should.
I drive back home and enjoy the car for 6 months.
One day I notice (whilst driving) the rear suspension dropping slowly all the way to its lowest on both sides. When the car turned off and on again, it would correct itself and go back to normal height.
Suddenly another 2 months go past without lowering of rear suspension.
One day I notice same thing happening, take it to mechanic and they tell me the 2 air bags need replacing.
Confirmed air pipes, compressor, scrubbers, filters, sensors and computer all in working order. Mechanics suspects perhaps issue with block valve in compressor box. Install new block valve (not WABCO).
Replace 2 air bags.
Car drives perfectly.
Ten days later, WHILST driving down motorway, one air bag blows and 3 seconds later the other air bag also blows.
Back to mechanic to change air bags whilst in warranty. All tested, seems to work and drive perfectly.
After a few weeks, FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE drops and LEFT REAR air bag is inflated to the max.
Back to mechanic. Nobody knows what to suggest.
Car was fiddled with, compressor looked at again, etc and was told that the only thing that could still be causing issues is the block valve.
After much fiddling, car suddenly is level and drives a treat.
I take it on a 2000km drive.
Two weeks later, went out for the morning, came back 12am, parked the car, and at 10pm hear a HUGE and very familiar bang.
LEFT REAR air bag blown.
Currently waiting for new air bag to arrive, again in warranty.

But I feel I am just going round in circles and spending fortunes getting nowhere. So before I even think about replacing air bag, I really want to know what on earth is wrong with this car.

I have gotten to the point where local mechanics are terrified I will contact them for help with the car and have closed all doors on me. I wish I had the knowledge but I just don't and haven't yet met a fellow LR owner who has experienced same issues.

Would really appreciate some advice or recommendations. I know it is difficult online without seeing car in person but I am yet hopeful.

Many thanks in advance :)
Probably worth reading this, if you haven’t already: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/disco-ii-air-suspension-–-the-definitive-guide.171995/

If you have access to a Nanocom it’s worth reading the “live data” from the height sensors - immediately showed one of mine was (intermittently) faulty.

Good luck.
 
Hi, i feel your pain but that's a bit hazardous statement:
Confirmed air pipes, compressor, scrubbers, filters, sensors and computer all in working order.
unless you can tell how the sensors and computer are confirmed 100% good without a live data log recorded while the symptom occured which is very difficult and possible only with nanocom left connected to the vehicle... if you want to keep the SLS better invest a bit more and replace the height sensors and theyr's connectors cos it seems that there is an intermittent issue with the inputs which can be the sensors or a circuit connection issue... the worst scenario is a wiring issue on that circuit, i've seen only two cases in my long experience when the only cure after much struggle and money spent in vain for parts was to rewire the whole circuit between the sensors and ECU, let's hope you are not so unlucky...

i sustain this:
As do the wiring/connectors going to them. Sounds like you already know but BEFORE removing/replacing the ride height sensors MAKE sure you disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then you can commence work otherwise you'll lose the suspension settings & will need a suitable diagnostic tool & the calibration blocks to reset/recalibrate the suspension. Very strange that it keeps popping the air springs, what make are the ones being fitted? Continental are probably the best but having said that I fitted Dunlops on mine which looked to be good quality,all the best.
hence these kits sold well SLS connector kit
 
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