1999 Td5 Rear Suspension Airbags

Hi, I'm hoping some of you experienced guys can help me out. My wife's 1999 Td5 starting sitting down, mostly on the drivers side, overnight a couple of weeks ago. It raised up and drove perfectly when started but just wouldn't make it through the night as it were.

Yesterday I replaced the airbags - after a a few minutes on the driveway it all settled perfectly. I took it for a local run, just a few miles and all seemed ok.

Set off for a day out, got 30mls and all of a sudden the drivers side is totally deflated. Stopped at the side of the road and went no further. Had to be recovered which went down well with my wife and two young children on our wedding anniversary day out!

After waiting two and half hours I started her up and of course she rose up perfectly to drive onto the low loader. 10 mins later she sat down again on the loader. She rose up again to driver her off and onto the driveway at home where she stayed at correct for hours. She has sat down again however by this morning.

I really thought replacing the bags was the answer as it had never gone down whilst on the move before. That's the bit that concerns me.

Am I missing something, is there something I should have done or need to do as I'm sure it's something simple?

Any advice would be very welcome please.

Worth having a look at the unions - is there an air leak from the top of the bag?

Also, are the ride height sensors OK? Often the 'arm' that connects to the rear radius arm snaps etc, so the car might deflate that bag if it gets an erroneous signal that it's too high.

David

Bag is leaking. Pair of bags required. Easy job have a search on here in the how too guides.

def air bags took me about 20 minutes to replace. nosy neighbour and tea. get bags dont forget clips for top of bags. They come with easy to read instructions.

Hi guys, thank you for your replies. Bear with me but what I don't understand is that I've replaced the airbags yesterday and when you start the c she raises up perfectly.

It was when I was driving, mercifully only moving away from a roundabout that I realised drivers side had gone down but it will re-inflate and hold pressure for hours if the car is static.

Not tried to drive it again in case it lets me down, literally!

Why is it intermittent?

Many thanks.

Chatsworth said:

Hi guys, thank you for your replies. Bear with me but what I don't understand is that I've replaced the airbags yesterday and when you start the c she raises up perfectly.

It was when I was driving, mercifully only moving away from a roundabout that I realised drivers side had gone down but it will re-inflate and hold pressure for hours if the car is static.

Not tried to drive it again in case it lets me down, literally!

Why is it intermittent?

Many thanks.

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try soap and water for leaks if not get it plugged in and check ride height sensors

Sounds like sensors to me. See if you can plug it in to a nanocom or hawkeye and check for faults

You could always do away with them and put springs in instead.

when it's on level unplug all the connectors in the compressor housing and drive/leave it so for a while(remember well where they were to not mix them)...this way you'll make sure that it's a leak or a management issue. If there are no leaks along the system it will stay on level for days with everything unplugged...then you'll know it's a sensor or management issue..,.if it will drop this way then certainly it's a leak and start chasing it with soapy water. you might get the SLS warning on dash in this case but dont bother with it