Disco II Air suspension problem

Hello all.
(Also posted in "new members")

I've got a 2004 Disco II which I love dearly, and have owned (more or less problem free) for two years.

On Friday I drove a short distance from home and the rear suspension lowered to the ground of it's own free will. I got the "SLS" warning light on the dash. I limped home and got out the manual.
I checked and tested the fuse under the dash, and fuse and relay under the bonnet, and they are all OK (checked them in neighbouring slots to prove they work).

After a cup of tea, and browse on this site, started the car and it raised itself right up to max height when I pressed the manual raise button on dash. I pressed the button to bring it back to "normal" and went for a short trip, all was well. Got home, and after turning it off it stayed at normal height overnight. Next day, I drove off again, only to have it fall to the floor again. It seems much lower on near side than offside. Parked up and got a hire car while I work out what is wrong.
I got it to raise back to normal on Sunday, and again it's sat looking normal overnight....

So....

• I don't think the compressor's knackered, as it will raise and lower the car.
• I took the compressor cover off when the car was running, and it sounds like it's working. Checked the filter behind the rear N/S lights, also seems dry/clean.
• The airbags can't be leaking as it sits fine (when it wants to).
• Seems only to drop to the floor when it's running, so could this be an air regulation problem ? Sticking air valves ?

Anyone encountered this sort of thing ? Got any suggestions as to what I should check next ?

Darth Tickle said:

Hello all.
(Also posted in "new members")

I've got a 2004 Disco II which I love dearly, and have owned (more or less problem free) for two years.


So....

• I don't think the compressor's knackered, as it will raise and lower the car.
• I took the compressor cover off when the car was running, and it sounds like it's working. Checked the filter behind the rear N/S lights, also seems dry/clean.
• The airbags can't be leaking as it sits fine (when it wants to).
• Seems only to drop to the floor when it's running, so could this be an air regulation problem ? Sticking air valves ?

Anyone encountered this sort of thing ? Got any suggestions as to what I should check next ?

Click to expand...

The compressor should not be running all the time, if it is, it means you have a leak and the compressor is compensating for it.

Good point.
I'll see if I ca get it running and at normal height and see if it's running full time.
I'll also have a go at the "soapy water" method for checking for air leaks...

Do the valves ever fail ?

However, if I had a leak, surely the back end would be on the floor now ? It's sat looking "normal" for 24 hours or so now...

Darth Tickle said:

However, if I had a leak, surely the back end would be on the floor now ? It's sat looking "normal" for 24 hours or so now...

Click to expand...

It is VERY common for leaky bags to only show their leaks eratically - it has something to do with where the leak is, often on the rollover of the bag so the leak self closes.

OK fair point. I'll look closely at this area next. The car is around 6 years old, so I guess I could fit new bags anyway. Thanks

New air springs will sort it

it will be both rear bag perished under the fold over bit, mine did the smae took me weeks to get to teh bottom of it. they perish after 5 years landrover say to repale them after 5 years and mine had hundred of tiny hols would go up and down fine but ocassionly be flat on its arse.

OK. I guess I'll "do the bags" now, and see if that's it. I suppose they need changing anyway... I'll let you know

Thanks for the interest and help so far.