Disco TD5 Air suspension problem

thebiglad said:

Not so, ensure the vehicle is on level ground and the vehicle itself is level before starting.

Take the battery negative off, then remove the old and install the new ride height sensors, then reconnect the battery and you will find no further calibration is neccesary.

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I agree........but do that method work if the car is not keeping its level like discodoobie's does now?....................I'll try it myself cause my sensors are looking pretty bad(never changed) and I don't want to wait untill it cracks.

sierrafery said:

I agree........but do that method work if the car is not keeping its level like discodoobie's does now?....................I'll try it myself cause my sensors are looking pretty bad(never changed) and I don't want to wait untill it cracks.

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We need to be clear that the method I illustrated resolves the ride height issue, only.

If there is a leaking airbag problem remaining then no, of course it won't work.


It seems to me the with any air suspension problem the resolution sequence needs to be:

1. Replace both airbags;

2. Replace both ride height sensors;

Reading this tread is pretty interesting and I hope I dont have any trouble like some are having with Air suspension......

But totally agree with thebiglad.... Ya need to look at the simplist soultions first.....ie soapy water test on Airbags... replace if leaking and in my opinon id replace both as appose to just one.. but thats really a cost issue... then if ya compressor is working and u can hear it working, then check pipes and valves, then its ride height sensors......

The only time you need to start removing compressors is when you cant hear it....... thinking about it..... just disconnect the outlet pipe and connect to a standard air line... throw some air around the system and see what happens...if the bags and car raise's pinch the air line and see if the back drops.... that will be some indication is compressor is FUBAR and that five monkeys for a new one

Swampey, first thing I did when I was getting a saggy rear was replace the bags. At 101k miles, they were original, as are the sensors (or so they appear). Upon inspection, the sensors 'appear' ok. Ive cleaned them up and there is not so much a crack in them. But I know that means little.....

Im also sure the compressor works, I know the bags are new and the joints and unions are all leak free. Thats been the issue, everything works as before, except the car wont stand up. I never once thought the compressor held the car, but I do know that it needs to pressurise the bags, which in turn hold the car. Im assuming its a non return valve that holds the pressure. Plus, if there was a proper leak, the compressor would just keep running wouldnt it? Also, why would I leave the car as is for a whole day but the bags do not deflate at all? Only when I put the weight of the car on them?

If compressor needs to be silent and proper fooked to need replacing, then Im happy its not that. Im going to have to just replace the height sensors and hope its that. Always on a bloody bank holiday too

As for level ground, I wish. When I managed to struggle back after it last dropped, I only just got onto my slightly sloping gravel drive. Its nowhere near level, a pig to work on and a nightmare to jack anything up. Would be wouldnt it?!

Im still on the hunt for a friendly nanocom owner, if anyone is offering in the Northants/Beds area. However, I need it sorting asap for work etc so its probably going to be a local specialist.

Well U have seemed to have done most of the above and ride height sensors might look OK but worth getting replaced.. never know could be a corroded or crap connection...

As for your compressor... Id love to have a silent one.. but I can hear mine when I start the disco and the pressure value hisss when I finish my journey... as for sagging.. not got this problem

Swampey said:

As for your compressor... Id love to have a silent one.. but I can hear mine when I start the disco and the pressure value hisss when I finish my journey... as for sagging.. not got this problem

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Silent compressor? Yeah, me too, I wish! Hearing it is my first clue, I certainly wouldnt miss the noise! I also hear the pressure valve once stopped too. Well, I used to before this, now I cant get it working to try.

Well, its going to be another bloody week now to get back on the road. I will have to order 2 new ride height sensors. Its looking like £30 each roughly. Not the £18 previously quoted

discodoobie said:

Silent compressor? Yeah, me too, I wish! Hearing it is my first clue, I certainly wouldnt miss the noise! I also hear the pressure valve once stopped too. Well, I used to before this, now I cant get it working to try.

Well, its going to be another bloody week now to get back on the road. I will have to order 2 new ride height sensors. Its looking like £30 each roughly. Not the £18 previously quoted

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Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

Land Rover - Sensor - Genuine at www.rimmerbros.co.uk

RQH100030 SENSOR-HEIGHT REAR | shop | www.lrseries.com | L. R. Series 100030&page=1

Can't find the £18 currently, but £19.95

Im not really the Non-Land Rover buying type, unless Im specifically told that its either the same, OE or at least as good a quality as the original.

Are the spurious ones worth it for the sake of saving a tenner or should I just go for original LR?

discodoobie said:

Im not really the Non-Land Rover buying type, unless Im specifically told that its either the same, OE or at least as good a quality as the original.

Are the spurious ones worth it for the sake of saving a tenner or should I just go for original LR?

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On the numbers I just provided imo it's not worth buying non-LR ones, however I have seen LR units for £18 just can't find them right now, sorry.

Dave

as with every oneelse my rear ofside saggs occasionaly got new bags but not fitted them as yet it has only gone down 3 times off side only what else could it be

drewster said:

as with every oneelse my rear ofside saggs occasionaly got new bags but not fitted them as yet it has only gone down 3 times off side only what else could it be

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You could always try a pair of "Magic Pants"

thebiglad said:

You could always try a pair of "Magic Pants"

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is this a technical part or just a joke

Ok, an update.

I have now removed both the ride height sensors and clearly they have seen better days. One has split around the thread which I couldnt see without removing and the other just looks like its been fitted to a car for about 100k miles! Well, it should. They definitely need replacing, so Im looking online for cheapest price/quickest delivery now.

But, just for some icing on the cake, I moved the car with a little help from the neighbour. It held on the bags long enough to move a little. Upon turning the ignition back on, I got my first introduction to the 3 Amigos! Could this job get any worse?!

Damn, forgot to tell you another little thing I found.

When I was under the car inspecting the compressor and the vavles, I noticed a very quiet noise. It sounds like air bubbling, or at least escaping, but couldnt locate a leak at all. Its something that you can only hear with your ear right up to the compressor. Its making this noise constantly, even with ignition off, key out, doors locked etc. It was still making this noise while I was removing the ride height sensors. However, once I removed the earth from the battery, it stopped. Could that be anything to do with it?

I dont know, its just something that didnt seem right. Like I say, I will keep looking back at this thread for anymore info or suggestions but will let everyone know what happens when I get the new sensors. I still have a problem with not having access to a nanocom or testbook but if I can just get it sitting high enough to drive to someone, I might be ok.

BTW Drewster - If you have the bags, fit them asap. Dont let anything else go wrong before you change them! For the easy 30-40 min job it is doing both bags, Id just do it as soon as you can.

Ok, now Im mad.

I have received the new ride height sensors today and I couldnt wait to get them fitted so as soon as I got in from work I got my tools and fitted them. Easier than doing the airbags without a doubt. However, the bloody battery was flat so had to sort that problem after the new sensors were fitted.

Now the bloody car still wont stand up. The bags were fully deflated with no pressure in the system after I removed the old sensors and it has been stood. As soon as the doors were closed and the compressor kicked in, they inflated. Then the compressor stopped, as before, prematurely, before the weight of the car was able to be supported by the bags.

Ignition off, then back on, compressor runs, more air goes into bags, still no lift.

Any ideas guys? I honestly thought that I would be driving it this weekend, but clearly not.

Disco

What have u done if anything with the compressor ?

Have you removed from vehicle or not ?

Briefly reading what youve dont.. new bags, checked all pipe work and now got new ride height sensors.......

Swampey said:

What have u done if anything with the compressor ?

Have you removed from vehicle or not ?

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Briefly, replaced airbags and sensors (Original parts, new). As far as compressor is concerned, I have not disconnected it, just inspected it, leak tested it and made sure air is coming out of it. The bags do inflate to a certain extent. Leak tested bags too. No air leaking, from what I can see.

Im wondering if the sensors need calibrating? But it doesnt seem that simple.

If you got new ride height sensors, then these must be recalibrated

Page 11.10 Haynes Manual

Id say disconnect the bloody compressor, let it see the light of day and while ya at it give it a clean up, change the FUSE and think you might find a filter might need a clean to

Yeah, however, without waffling (one of my habits, in case you cant tell lol) I have cant remove the compressor housing without breaking the bloody thing! I have the Haynes manual, but heard that they 'might' be ok when you fit new ones. At least enough to hold the car up enough to limp to a garage or person with nanocom! But ok, I need someone to come to me to get them calibrated.

The compressor 'looks' brand new! Not a spec of dirt on it. The disco had an easy life when I bought it. I will have to work on removing it and cleaning it up but as its pumping air already, I cant imagine that would do a massive amount of good.

But all ideas greatly appreciated, when I get in from work tomorrow, I will work on getting the compressor housing off.

Any more ideas/suggestions guys?

The ride height sensors don't need recalibrating at all. The system knows its standard ride height setting, which i believe is 33 inches there abouts. I seen mine being fitted by an indipendant, and asked him about recalibrating them, he said "no need" once the last sensor was fitted the disco went back to normal height. JOB DONE