EAS possible compressor problem – What do you think of my diagnosis?

The EAS on my 2001 Vogue has always worked well enough while in my ownership. Only issue was some leaky rear airbags last December. I do now have a problem that I think is due to a worn out compressor.

Symptoms are: Will not lift from access level. Lights on the dash switch are doing the normal flashing on the level the car is trying to raise to, with a solid light on the level the car is currently at. The compressor only runs for a few seconds then shuts off.

While researching EAS issues today an article on www.rangerovers.net indicated that a good compressor should be able to fill the tank to the correct pressure in about 6 minutes. In another part of the pages on EAS a fault was described that sounds exactly like mine. Here is what it says:

[FONT=&quot]Frequent Short-Time Ineffective Compressor Operation[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
If the pump runs with a short duty cycle, ie runs for a few seconds and stops, without effective pumping action, alert reader Hans Kroneman points out that it is most likely the EAS ECU cutting off the pump's power supply due to excessive electrical draw. The computer diagnostic systems often miss this fault. If you pull the pump relay and jumper the 30/51 pin to the 87 pin, the pump will resume running if this is the problem. The most common cause is the failure of the pump's rear bearing.[/FONT]

I decided to bypass the power to the pump and have run it for 6 minutes. The pump is quite noisy, sounding a bit like the noise you get when shaking an aerosol paint tin. Most of the noise is coming from the rear of the compressor where the wires enter it. After 6 minutes there was still not enough air in the tank to lift the car. I then ran the compressor for 12 minutes with the car only lifting a fraction.

My conclusion: Compressor has had it. It’s pulling too much power now it’s worn and is being shut of by the ECU. Even if I force it to run it’s not able to produce enough pressure to lift the car.

I’ve downloaded the EAS Unlock Suite from http://www.rswsolutions.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=56 and ordered an OBD2 cable end from OBD2 Socket component parts so I can check out the system more accurately next week after making up the cable.

Does anyone think it’s not the compressor?

Comments welcome.

Regards,

LW

Frequent Short-Time Ineffective Compressor Operation
If the pump runs with a short duty cycle, ie runs for a few seconds and stops, without effective pumping action, alert reader Hans Kroneman points out that it is most likely the EAS ECU cutting off the pump's power supply due to excessive electrical draw. The computer diagnostic systems often miss this fault. If you pull the pump relay and jumper the 30/51 pin to the 87 pin, the pump will resume running if this is the problem. The most common cause is the failure of the pump's rear bearing.

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Partly true. The pump has an overheat switch which signals the EAS ECU that the pump is getting too hot which then switches the relay off until the pump cools down. It doesn't actually measure the current being drawn.

Otherwise, I'd agree with you the pump sounds to be shot and not just the rear bearning either (if it is this that's causing the overheat).

If it's running and not pressuring the tank you have, at least, a shot compressor or a leak in the airline to the tank (though compressor sounds the most likely).
As a precaution, I would spray all the lines with soapy water just to be sure.

If your handy with a spanner, there's a kit being sold on eBay to refurbish the compressor.

Rear bearing retainers break off and allow arse end to float around. Strip it and take a look. New rear cases/brush holders/brushes are available from Rover renovations in the states. But maybe quite expensive by the time you get them over here. Island 4x4 do a Dunlop compressor for around £159.99.

I agree with Wammers, rear bearing cage gone. Personally I would junk it if you can get a replacement for £160

Thanks for your time guy's.

I've ordered a new compressor now so will make an update once it's fitted.

Regards,

LW

wammers said:

Rear bearing retainers break off and allow arse end to float around. Strip it and take a look. New rear cases/brush holders/brushes are available from Rover renovations in the states. But maybe quite expensive by the time you get them over here. Island 4x4 do a Dunlop compressor for around £159.99.

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Beware, this Dunlop replacement isn't as good as the OEM.
First thing, it doesn't look the same at all and for example a piston rebuild kit can't fit it.

New compressor arrived today and I fitted it tonight. All works fine now so diagnosis was spot on. just waiting for my set of Arnott Gen 3's now that are on back order to finish the job.

LW.

Will be interested to hear how you get on with the gen 3's, was thinking of a set for mine. Have already switched for gen 2's (about 18 months ago) on the front, as they needed replacing anyway, and found them much better.

996TURBO said:

Beware, this Dunlop replacement isn't as good as the OEM.
First thing, it doesn't look the same at all and for example a piston rebuild kit can't fit it.

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Have never seen the Dunlop pump. But if that is a photo of it on the Island site it is exactly the same pump as the OEM. Are Dunlop not the OEM supplier? The valve block seems to have Dunlop written all over it.

My new replacement pump is a Dunlop and other that the sticker on the motor it's identical. As you said all the valves are stamped Dunlop too. I think Dunlop are the OE manufacturer and all they do is change the logos to LR for Land Rover sourced parts and Dunlop for direct sales. I could be wrong, but plenty of manufacturers do this.

In the past I replaced a pair of air bags for Dunlop items and they were to the naked eye identical except for the Dunlop logo in place of the LR one stamped into the rubber. In any event I've always been happy with Dunlop products so I don't have any concerns with the new pump.

I've ordered the Arnott Gen3's to see if it improves the ride and my front bags are overdue for replacing anyway. I will also at some point change the shocks, but I'm not sure if I should go Koni or Bilstein. Already fitted a Bilstein steering damper which is an improvement over the original.

Any opinions on makes of shocks?

Lone_Wolf said:

My new replacement pump is a Dunlop and other that the sticker on the motor it's identical. As you said all the valves are stamped Dunlop too. I think Dunlop are the OE manufacturer and all they do is change the logos to LR for Land Rover sourced parts and Dunlop for direct sales. I could be wrong, but plenty of manufacturers do this.

In the past I replaced a pair of air bags for Dunlop items and they were to the naked eye identical except for the Dunlop logo in place of the LR one stamped into the rubber. In any event I've always been happy with Dunlop products so I don't have any concerns with the new pump.

I've ordered the Arnott Gen3's to see if it improves the ride and my front bags are overdue for replacing anyway. I will also at some point change the shocks, but I'm not sure if I should go Koni or Bilstein. Already fitted a Bilstein steering damper which is an improvement over the original.

Any opinions on makes of shocks?

Click to expand...

i have fitted britpart shocks a while ago.front and rear.it had stopped the wallowing and sea sickness,they r good on standard ride,soft on high ride,stiff on highway mode,crashy on uneven terrain if going over with speed,but i love them,not bad,there shoul b a compromise in shocks,depends on how much ur willing to pay and which settings suit u the most.