P38 Air Suspension

Hi all i have just bought a p38 with air suspension. It was on its bump stops when i bought it as the passenger side air spring had gone.
I have replaced this and used the Eas unlock software with success my rangey is now back on its feet.
My question now is when you operate the height controls could anyone explain what should happen?
I put it on the highway symbol and its at its lowest. I put onto mid way and it raises slightly ok.
When i put it into off road setting it raises to the highest setting but the light on the dash stays lit. Is this right as a warning that you are in off road setting?
Thanks in advance.

MikeRangep38 said:

Hi all i have just bought a p38 with air suspension. It was on its bump stops when i bought it as the passenger side air spring had gone.
I have replaced this and used the Eas unlock software with success my rangey is now back on its feet.
My question now is when you operate the height controls could anyone explain what should happen?
I put it on the highway symbol and its at its lowest. I put onto mid way and it raises slightly ok.
When i put it into off road setting it raises to the highest setting but the light on the dash stays lit. Is this right as a warning that you are in off road setting?
Thanks in advance.

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If you mean the up arrow, then yes

Yes when you press the up arrow to the highest setting the Warning light (Eas) on the instrument cluster stays lit until you put it back to normal.
When in normal the light goes out is that correct? Im just checking as i have never had one before..
Thanks

MikeRangep38 said:

Yes when you press the up arrow to the highest setting the Warning light (Eas) on the instrument cluster stays lit until you put it back to normal.
When in normal the light goes out is that correct? Im just checking as i have never had one before..
Thanks

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Yes, look at the owners handbook, if you haven't got one download RAVE.

Ok nice one thanks for the advice.

When you select a height setting the height setting you are at will be on and the new demanded height will flash. When the suspension reaches the new setting the previous setting light will go out and the new selected setting will be lit.

Probably me jumping the gun here, but can you actually select the "Highway" mode? if this relates to the motorway symbol then i got the impression that it only automatically selects this after 30 seconds at speeds over 35 mph? unless im getting it wrong & we are refering to the "single white line" - standard hight?? apologies if im wrong..

CEZ1869 said:

Probably me jumping the gun here, but can you actually select the "Highway" mode? if this relates to the motorway symbol then i got the impression that it only automatically selects this after 30 seconds at speeds over 35 mph? unless im getting it wrong & we are refering to the "single white line" - standard hight?? apologies if im wrong..

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Yes, press lock mode button to right of selector switch then press selector switch down once. Motorway setting light will flash then come on as suspension drops to that setting. It will stay at that setting until lock button is disengaged. Not a setting to be riding around over speed bumps at though. It is automatically selected at speed over 50 mph for more than 30 seconds, then will stay on until vehicle speed drops to less than 35 mph.

I stand corrected.. apologies,

CEZ1869 said:

I stand corrected.. apologies,

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No need for apology my friend.

Has anyone ever come across one that raises to the offroad position on it's own without bringing up EAS fault on the message centre. Mine did it 3 times but appears to be fine after operating the selector a few times and switching it off then on again.

Rob Edge said:

Has anyone ever come across one that raises to the offroad position on it's own without bringing up EAS fault on the message centre. Mine did it 3 times but appears to be fine after operating the selector a few times and switching it off then on again.

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Possible driver pack on the way out, worth getting the fault codes read as just possibly it could also be a height sensor.

Datatek said:

Possible driver pack on the way out, worth getting the fault codes read as just possibly it could also be a height sensor.

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More likely a sensor than the driver pack i am thinking. Although stranger things have happened. Mine does this now and again and i know i have a dicky O/S/F sensor that does not like wet weather. Always goes back to standard by pressing selector switch twice. No faults recorded. Must get round to sorting, it but have a lot of other things on at the moment. Have a new condensor and Kenlow waiting to go on. But can't get to my own for sodding about with the lads motors. Putting up utility rooms for she who must be obeyed. Etc Etc Etc. Think the buggers are trying to kill me off.

I will get it checked and let you know if anything comes up.

Rob Edge said:

Has anyone ever come across one that raises to the offroad position on it's own without bringing up EAS fault on the message centre. Mine did it 3 times but appears to be fine after operating the selector a few times and switching it off then on again.

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Yup, Mine started doing that while stuck in traffic in Devon the other week. Did it about 5 times. No faults logged (at that point, anyway). Hasn't done it since though.

I too have dodgy height sensor(s) but time and money and all that...

Hi there, trying to make sense of all this air suspension stuff...... our rangey is having a few problems in that the rear sometimes refuses to raise, especially once left for a long period of time, and doesn't get off its bump stops until it reaches approx 60 MPH, then sorts itself out!!

We've had it hooked up to a diagnostic machine to find out whats wrong, and have been told one of the rear valves are sticking. Are these easy to replace, and if so at what cost?

Its nice car, but is starting to cause us alot of headaches just lately!

BagO'****e said:

Hi there, trying to make sense of all this air suspension stuff...... our rangey is having a few problems in that the rear sometimes refuses to raise, especially once left for a long period of time, and doesn't get off its bump stops until it reaches approx 60 MPH, then sorts itself out!!

We've had it hooked up to a diagnostic machine to find out whats wrong, and have been told one of the rear valves are sticking. Are these easy to replace, and if so at what cost?

Its nice car, but is starting to cause us alot of headaches just lately!

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I'd start by checking that your compressor is working correctly. Simply disconnect the blue pipe underneath it and see if you can stop the air flow with your finger, you shouldn't be able to. Not very technical but it gives you a good idea. As long as the compressor is running, however badly, it won't throw up any faults.

I've just re-read your thread and you say that you had it "hooked up to a diagnostic machine and you were told". Why not PM Datatek? For remarkable few beer tokens he could supply a copy of the EAS software and a lead to connect your own p.c. to the car. Then you can read your own fault codes on the suspension.

dogsbody said:

I've just re-read your thread and you say that you had it "hooked up to a diagnostic machine and you were told". Why not PM Datatek? For remarkable few beer tokens he could supply a copy of the EAS software and a lead to connect your own p.c. to the car. Then you can read your own fault codes on the suspension.

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Thanks for that

BagO'****e said:

Hi there, trying to make sense of all this air suspension stuff...... our rangey is having a few problems in that the rear sometimes refuses to raise, especially once left for a long period of time, and doesn't get off its bump stops until it reaches approx 60 MPH, then sorts itself out!!

We've had it hooked up to a diagnostic machine to find out whats wrong, and have been told one of the rear valves are sticking. Are these easy to replace, and if so at what cost?

Its nice car, but is starting to cause us alot of headaches just lately!

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Unlikely to be a "rear valve sticking" much more likely to be a leaking airspring, the leaks open and close as the the airspring moves, I would also think that if there is a leak, your compressor may be knackered.
A "valve stuck open" fault is usually an indication of a leak not a duff valve.
Do a visual inspection of the airsprings with the car at max height, if they look cracked or perished they need replacing, then spray them with a soapy water mix and look for bubbles. They have a life of 7 to 8 years.