P38A New project

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Ruby Range

Well-Known Member
Posts
338
Location
Sandwich Kent
Ok so got a 2000 diesel vogue with a few issues (that’s why there cheap ) I know. Suspension is on its arse and has 2 messages on the dash. Airbag fault and eas fault. At present I have no comms equipment so can not start messing with faults till I can borrow or buy some. So a couple of questions a) can I see if the compressor is working or goosed? at the moment nothing is working just the lights flashing on the level switch and 2 is the airbag message for the safety airbags or suspension bags !! I have a set of schraider valves which I am thinking of throwing on just to see if the bags hold air. Would that cause an issue or not ?? More questions will follow as it will not open both passenger side windows and the dreaded hevac book symbol is showing ..
 
Airbag message could be just the fuse? worth checking. Seem to think it is number 7 under the seat but check your vehicle, some have a fuse under the bonnet as well.
Air suspension, absolutely put schrader valves and t-pieces in, it really helps you get your head around the parts of the system and enables you to pressurise the system with the shop compressor which saves time and wear and tear on the Dunlop unit. I put 5 tees in mine, and a pressure guage on the reservoir.
And once you have schrader valves then if you do have a problem out on the road you can put them straight on the wheel lines and always get rolling again.
Air suspension is really key to a nice P38 and worth a little effort. Rangerovers.net and Rangerovers.pub are great sites with lots of articles about the key issues.
A 2000 vehicle is going to probably need a major system overhaul, compressors that fight leaks don't last long but if you are handy enough then most of it an be done fairly cheaply with new o-rings and so on. There is free software to get you started, look up a guy called Storey Wilson and his EASunlock software which is basic but very good.
 
Thanks have rebuilt a compressor and valve block a few years ago. Will look at the storey Wilson kit. I take it I need an old lap top for that?? Excuse my ignorance but you say you have 5 valves?? Four bags and the other ??. Also what sort of pressure should I be putting in the bags just to get them off the bump stops to a normal sort of height?? I take it if I then put in the loom under the seat I could trick it in to manual mode ??
 
SRS fault could well be one of the yellow connectors, they seem to be quite wonky on my car at least. If the day light looks a bit dim then one of the bulbs could have blown, that also causes a dash message.
On your car the SRS system self checks and will clear the errors once the cause is rectified
 
They didn't do a diesel Vogue..

You can test the compressor by either putting a power source directly to the compressor itself or by bridging the relay.

I'd disconnect the outflow line to check the pressure it is producing.

Airbags will need replacing.
 
The compressor will not run while there is a hard fault present. I can supply the EAS software and cable if required.
The SRS fault could be many things but low battery volts will sometimes cause a fault as can one of the 2 bulbs in the dash failing.
 
Cheers datatek will accept your offer. Please pm me with price and postage. ABS which I thought was a fault apparently stays on until over 5 mph. Airbags may need replacing as I know it’s been driven on its bump stops some distance. Vogue but no vogue. This appears to be fully specked. Memory seats both sides. Sunroof cruise satnav CD player. Steering wheel controls tipping mirrors and auto dim mirrors so if it ain’t vogue it ain’t too sad !!!
 
SRS fault could well be one of the yellow connectors, they seem to be quite wonky on my car at least. If the day light looks a bit dim then one of the bulbs could have blown, that also causes a dash message.
On your car the SRS system self checks and will clear the errors once the cause is rectified
Sorry not meaning to be ignorant but which yellow connectors are we talking about
 
Thanks have rebuilt a compressor and valve block a few years ago. Will look at the storey Wilson kit. I take it I need an old lap top for that?? Excuse my ignorance but you say you have 5 valves?? Four bags and the other ??. Also what sort of pressure should I be putting in the bags just to get them off the bump stops to a normal sort of height?? I take it if I then put in the loom under the seat I could trick it in to manual mode ??

As air goes in and that corner lifts the weight transfers and throws everything out. Start with 50psi in each and then add 10psi each until she's at the normal height (Technical Section has the heights using the stick). Shouldn't need more than 80psi max. More likely to be about 65 psi.
 
As air goes in and that corner lifts the weight transfers and throws everything out. Start with 50psi in each and then add 10psi each until she's at the normal height (Technical Section has the heights using the stick). Shouldn't need more than 80psi max. More likely to be about 65 psi.
60 to 65 is all that is needed for normal height.
 
Ok so just bypasses relay 20 and good suction and pressure made from the pump. Thermal cut out checks out ok but will still not rise on any corner. So where do we go next guys until I can get some diagnostic on it. Don’t suppose anyone in south east Kent has a nannicom he wants to show his skills with is there!!!
 
Ok so just bypasses relay 20 and good suction and pressure made from the pump. Thermal cut out checks out ok but will still not rise on any corner. So where do we go next guys until I can get some diagnostic on it. Don’t suppose anyone in south east Kent has a nannicom he wants to show his skills with is there!!!

You tried Schrader valves straight to bags?
 
Spent the day on her today and she floats !! Well to a degree anyway. It looks like the compressor is very week. I took the blue line off the bottom and could easily hold my thumb over it so needs rebuilding. To check the bags iv pulled each line to the bags and just pumped air in from my compressor and she is sitting at about road height on all corners. As of now she’s still up and so tomorrow morning if all ok I will rebuild the compressor and try and get rid of any hard faults and see how we go. At least I’ll know the bags are ok and could if wanted just run on valves. Headliner is out and managed to find the worst bodge ever. Hole under spare wheel was fixed with cardboard and painted over!!!! WTF is that all about ???
 
Spent the day on her today and she floats !! Well to a degree anyway. It looks like the compressor is very week. I took the blue line off the bottom and could easily hold my thumb over it so needs rebuilding. To check the bags iv pulled each line to the bags and just pumped air in from my compressor and she is sitting at about road height on all corners. As of now she’s still up and so tomorrow morning if all ok I will rebuild the compressor and try and get rid of any hard faults and see how we go. At least I’ll know the bags are ok and could if wanted just run on valves. Headliner is out and managed to find the worst bodge ever. Hole under spare wheel was fixed with cardboard and painted over!!!! WTF is that all about ???
Sorry, you cannot be sure the airbags are OK, leaks open and close with movement.
 
I always thought a leak was a leak so what your telling me is that if I put a hole in a ballon put weight on it and put the hole on the bottom it will hold air yes !!! No that’s why on this forum people are advised to leave there car overnight to see if they drop yes !!
 
P38 bags can "hide" leaks, my friends DSE would drop in extended mode and Standard, but not on motorway, as the bag dropped it closed the split..

If a bag has been sat deflated for an extended period i'd replace them..
 
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