P38A EAS Fault - MOT Fail

Hi

I don't know if this is new or not, but a heads-up just in case. My P38 has a very intermittent fault which occasionally causes the EAS warning lamp to illuminate. I've not tracked the fault down yet but today it decided to do it at an inopportune moment and failed the MOT with:-

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

• Suspension system inoperative (5.3.5 (a))

Obviously, I'd argue that the suspension system is not inoperative. It is working normally - all bags inflated correctly and it's still adjusting the height automatically, but the tester was adamant it was a failure.

What's more, the fact that this is a 'dangerous' defect means the vehicle can't even legally be driven to and form the test centre.

Steve

It is a failure - any warning light showing is now an instant failure.

Also a suspension system not working correctly is a failure - your system has a fault regardless of if the vehicle is sitting level and at the correct ride height, and hence it is a fail. just the same way as a broken spring on a coiled car would be a fail, even if the break doesn't affect ride, travel or stability - it is still broken.

The P38 doesn't have levelling headlights - either automatic or by the use of a manual dial - it uses the EAS system to level the car correctly when loaded - again this is a fail if the system isn't capable of re-levelling the vehicle if loaded - like yours can't cos it is in fault - I know you say it re-levels itself, but if the system is in fault, it won't.

Remember, it is not just a case of the vehicle being level and correct ride height - your system isn't working and the tester was correct fail the car.

As for it being dangerous, there are provisions within the law that state you may drive your vehicle without an MOT if you are going to or from a booked MOT test, or to a garage to rectify or fix the car following a failed MOT, but the car MUST be booked in for work in advance or booked in for quotation.

Cheers - I accept all the points you make.

The bigger problem I've got is the swivel hub bearings which is a rotten job

stevelup said:

Cheers - I accept all the points you make.

The bigger problem I've got is the swivel hub bearings which is a rotten job

Click to expand...

Yes, they are a sod.....feel for you on that one!

Check and clean the conections on the driver pack bolted to the valve block and some times the conectors want pinching up a bit.

Will do - thanks. I have a feeling the issue may be something to do with the pressure sensor. The system is holding air just fine - I can leave it weeks and it doesn't drop at all. Despite this, the compressor seems to be running a lot more than it should be. I've got a donor vehicle which is essentially complete so have opportunities for swapping bits. When I read the error codes, there are loads of them and it doesn't really make sense.

stevelup said:

Will do - thanks. I have a feeling the issue may be something to do with the pressure sensor. The system is holding air just fine - I can leave it weeks and it doesn't drop at all. Despite this, the compressor seems to be running a lot more than it should be. I've got a donor vehicle which is essentially complete so have opportunities for swapping bits. When I read the error codes, there are loads of them and it doesn't really make sense.

Click to expand...

Loads of faults usually means bad comms, check for corrosion at the rearof the female socket or the white block connections behind the A posts kick panels

I suspect that if the MOT tester is keen, then all those on springs will fail cos not levelling headlights

Mmh my sport passed the mot end of June with the dreaded “normal ride height only” amber dash warning on. Tester said that if suspension was at normal height with no drop on any corner he was obliged to pass it as the warning light was Amber and not red.
Just another point for anyone with multi led lights forming side lights etc for a mot pass only 50% need to be illuminating.
I stand ready with tin hat on

stevelup said:

Will do - thanks. I have a feeling the issue may be something to do with the pressure sensor. The system is holding air just fine - I can leave it weeks and it doesn't drop at all. Despite this, the compressor seems to be running a lot more than it should be. I've got a donor vehicle which is essentially complete so have opportunities for swapping bits. When I read the error codes, there are loads of them and it doesn't really make sense.

Click to expand...

Unlikely to be the pressure sensor, but if the compressor is running a lot, almost certainly there is a leak. How old ar the airsprings?
Random intermittent EAS failures are often due to the driver pack itself, there is an electrolytic in there that fails.

My car does the death dance, usually at 70mph, when the lights start flashing on the switch, then the arse end lowers down, leaving the front 300 feet in the air and it will not set down for toffee until "it" decides it is time.

I get so wound up, I pull into a layby and press the valves (I installed separate inflation valves in case...). Then I have to inflate the whole thing and switch the other shut off valves so the air doesn't just run back out. Took ages to work it out, but now I simply take the laptop, plug into the OBD2 port and get it told to shurrup and gerron wiv it

Anyway, my particular problem stems from a faulty front left sensor.... It's getting looked at soon.