P38A EAS has a mind of its own

Really hoping you guys can help on this as I am at a loss.

I have 1997 P38 Auto and the air suspension seems to have a mind of its own.

For the most part when I start the engine the back will go right up in the air while the front drivers side wheel goes to what I would say is a normal height and the passenger side front remains on the bump stop.

What's puzzling is this is not always what happens, sometimes, but not often, the passenger side front will go up to a normal height matching drivers side.
Other times all 4 sides will rise to the maximum height, it all seems random and it doesn't matter which position I try to put it in, it does what it wants. Now its not doing anything all and just stays on the bump stops.
Also, when I press the button to adjust the heights, the reaction is not always instant.

I do have one of those £20 EAS reset devices of eBAY but I'm not really sure how to reset the EAS using it however I have managed a few times to get rid off all 4 lights and the 35MPH message on the dash when it appears.

I know some of you may say put springs on and that is very tempting at the moment but I bought this vehicle for towing and I'm told the air suspension is great for this so I would like to keep it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need diag to do it properly. But to start with check connections to O/S front height sensor. Also check white plug and socket behind base of passenger foot well A post for contamination. If you have a laptop contact Keith (Datatek) on here he can supply Easunlock diag unit for little money. It comes with program disc, Rave and all sorts of good stuff.

As Wammers said, check the connector to the O/S front height sensor etc, also check the condition of the airspring itself.

Don't suggest to data or wammers or most on here put it on springs the 3 posts you had back are all very knowledgeable on this subject they will get you up and running if you listen to what they post

+1 to wot he said

Wammers has done a trouble shooting guide in the Technical section. Only thing I'll add is if you suspect a leak, pull the EAS delay timer relay and leave overnight and see if a corner has dropped in a day or so.

He said sp.sp..sp.spri...
Cant say it....

Ok I'm sorry, I wont mention Sp****S again, I just got a little frustrated and angry and said something I didn't mean in the heat of the moment...

I do already have the EAS software but after watching your video I haven't quite been using it right so thanks for that and I will have another go.

I have checked both height sensors and they do look ok but I will check them again. Once I get movement that is as it now wont move off the bump stops.

What I wasn't aware of was the connector in the A post so I will check that. Unfortunately though I cant get to it now while tomorrow night...

deej078 said:

Ok I'm sorry, I wont mention Sp****S again, I just got a little frustrated and angry and said something I didn't mean in the heat of the moment...

I do already have the EAS software but after watching your video I haven't quite been using it right so thanks for that and I will have another go.

I have checked both height sensors and they do look ok but I will check them again. Once I get movement that is as it now wont move off the bump stops.

What I wasn't aware of was the connector in the A post so I will check that. Unfortunately though I cant get to it now while tomorrow night...

Click to expand...

The connectors on the height sensors suffer from corrosion, not easy to see, contact cleaner may help.

wammers said:

You need diag to do it properly. But to start with check connections to O/S front height sensor. Also check white plug and socket behind base of passenger foot well A post for contamination. If you have a laptop contact Keith (Datatek) on here he can supply Easunlock diag unit for little money. It comes with program disc, Rave and all sorts of good stuff.

Click to expand...

So, checked the O/S height sensor and the socket behind the A post, this was corroded so have cleaned it all up. Unfortunately it hasn't made a difference.

One thing I have noticed now it doesn't move off the bump stops at all is that if I remove the pipe of the top of the water separator filter while the pump is running, I can hold the air back by simply putting my finger over the top. Is that normal?

deej078 said:

So, checked the O/S height sensor and the socket behind the A post, this was corroded so have cleaned it all up. Unfortunately it hasn't made a difference.

One thing I have noticed now it doesn't move off the bump stops at all is that if I remove the pipe of the top of the water separator filter while the pump is running, I can hold the air back by simply putting my finger over the top. Is that normal?

Click to expand...

Compressor is knackered either you need a new one or need to refurb it. Until you have good air anything else diag wise is futile.

wammers said:

Compressor is knackered either you need a new one or need to refurb it. Until you have good air anything else diag wise is futile.

Click to expand...

Thanks Wammers. I will order a rebuilt kit.

Black o rings not orange ones. I learned the hard way mate

Mukiwa said:

Black o rings not orange ones. I learned the hard way mate

Click to expand...

That interesting, What's the difference?
I bought these red/orange ones below and up until replacing these I did have some movement.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Ro...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

The EAS has now had the following done:
1. The above seals replaced.
2. Piston Rebuild kit.
3. diaphragm seal mount set replaced.

I still have no lift at all.

deej078 said:

That interesting, What's the difference?
I bought these red/orange ones below and up until replacing these I did have some movement.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-P38-1994-2002-EAS-Air-Suspension-Valve-Block-O-ring-seals-kit/282534656583?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

The EAS has now had the following done:
1. The above seals replaced.
2. Piston Rebuild kit.
3. diaphragm seal mount set replaced.

I still have no lift at all.

Click to expand...

You have obviously not read my EAS post in Tech Archive. Read it do the checks.

wammers said:

You have obviously not read my EAS post in Tech Archive. Read it do the checks.

Click to expand...

And here endth the lesson......

deej078 said:

That interesting, What's the difference?
I bought these red/orange ones below and up until replacing these I did have some movement.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-P38-1994-2002-EAS-Air-Suspension-Valve-Block-O-ring-seals-kit/282534656583?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

The EAS has now had the following done:
1. The above seals replaced.
2. Piston Rebuild kit.
3. diaphragm seal mount set replaced.

I still have no lift at all.

Click to expand...

For me the problem was that the air pipes wouldn't seal properly into the EAS block with the red/orange ones. I chamfered the lines and vaselined them. Wouldn't stay sealed. Swapped them out for black ones every one sealed and it took a lot more force to push them home as well

Edit: Also follow Wammers guide to the letter!