Self Leveling Suspension InActive - Error code: Compressor Relay

[dark_stranger]

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
Excellent- thanks for the numbers,
Ordered a NEW relay from Flea-Bay & the pump rebuild kit a few hours ago too....
Next weekend I will do this little job.
My X5 has done 140,000 miles, so this will be one job done to hopefully be one less thing to go wrong inconveniently...

I just started a new contract job as a Senior Engineer in the Midlands for a company that makes Air-Suspension Units... and by good fortune they make the E53 units for spare parts suppliers... and maybe we can save a small fortune if any of our members units fail here by passing on company details for parts at source.

I'm going to replace mine as a matter of course as soon as I can get my hands on a pair soon....
[/quote]

No worries, so you're being proactive and not fixing an issue. Hopefully I will get the repair kit tomorrow.  If so, will attemp if dry outside.

[KGB BORIS]

DOH just seen this, I had so many probs with air suspension I just removed replaced with coil springs and deleted the error message code off the ecu. cost 200 pounds for the kit and about 3 hours of my time, one side took 2 hours as was taking my time then other under the hour. feels no different to drive and safe in the knowledge it wont fail no more. seriously worth considering, im selling all my compressor and air bags etc asap

[jaynana]

really helpful info in this thread.

i'm having the same problem, hoping to dig into this, time permitted.. unfortunately that's a few weeks away. thankfully the car is holding level ok..

[dark_stranger]

My compressor repair kit has arrived, so will do sat morning (weather permitting) and will post an update.  Hopefully this will fix the issue, if not, not to sure what steps next to take.

[dark_stranger]

OK, fitted the compressor repair kit and directly tested the compressor by connecting to a car battery , by passing the relay, solenoids, etc. by cutting the compressor power cables (see white insulation tape) and connecting to battery.  The compressor works fine.

Therefore connected the black air pipe to the compressor, but not the solenoid and air flowed through the black pipe, therefore connected free end of black air pipe to the solenoid and turned on the compressor. It fired into life, but the air was not flowing through/pass the solenoid!

So I guessed the solenoid needed a power supply and therefore took to car, connected to car power supply and nothing.  The compressor did not rumble into life. I tried swapping relays, but still no life. 

I doubt its a sensor as you would expect at least one to work.  Does the air suspension only have a fuse in the rear? if so, what number fuse is it?

[jaynana]

PDF in reply 2 in this thread, page 20:



13, 11, 26 control 3 different valves, coming from EHC.

I'm guessing apart from motor, 13, u will need to power at least one of 11, 26 to allow air flow?


Also try resetting the error code in EHC (Scanner 1.4.0 is sufficient).

In mine when I clear the code the pump works briefly, error msg reappears, pump stops (I plan to replace the sensor when I find time..).

[dark_stranger]

Tar, does look like the compressor and solenoids are powered by the control module. Maybe next step is to swap that out.

[Ubatoid]

The valve on the compressor needs to be energised to test the pump output. You should see about 150 -  160 psi on the outlet when running. I hooked up a spare gauge I had with some push fittings (6mm I think) to test mine.

Recap -
energise pump with a good 12v supply (spare battery)
energise valve on pump to get flow at black pipe that goes to valve block
test red and blue valves by energising.

I always like to test joints with soapy water, it shows up the smallest leaks once there is pressure. Also worth noting the valve block can be purchased separately for about £110 if you don't mind using Landrover parts......Discovery Mk2 valve block is identical.

Also - watch those unions, its all too easy to strip the threads in the plastic valve block body.

Ive found the spare controller and have ordered the post mistress to dispatch to you tomorrow. :xmasgrin:

[dark_stranger]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
The valve on the compressor needs to be energised to test the pump output. You should see about 150 -  160 psi on the outlet when running. I hooked up a spare gauge I had with some push fittings (6mm I think) to test mine.

Recap -
energise pump with a good 12v supply (spare battery)
energise valve on pump to get flow at black pipe that goes to valve block
test red and blue valves by energising.

I always like to test joints with soapy water, it shows up the smallest leaks once there is pressure. Also worth noting the valve block can be purchased separately for about £110 if you don't mind using Landrover parts......Discovery Mk2 valve block is identical.

Also - watch those unions, its all too easy to strip the threads in the plastic valve block body.

Ive found the spare controller and have ordered the post mistress to dispatch to you tomorrow. :xmasgrin:
[/quote]

Spent all last night dreaming about the air suspension pump magically bursting into life after I connected up your control module and at first light, out on the driveway fitting it.  Fired up the car and nothing, no rumble of the pump!  I therefore tested the wire connection block (car end) that the pump, etc plug into and it was kicking out 13.*v, not a car expect, but would say that power was flowing to the pump. 

I really doubt that both sensors have gone at the same time, so what else could it be? would the solenoid be the cause? or the black part of the pump? that controls the pump?

All comments welcome & a thank to Andy (Ubatoid) for loaning my his control module.

[Ubatoid]

Are you saying the pump is getting power but not pumping ?

[dark_stranger]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
Are you saying the pump is getting power but not pumping ?
[/quote]

There is a connector block (see attached pic off ebay) attached to the compressor, etc and then another connector block in the car that they both join up.  I tested the block in the car by plugging volt meter into red\brown holes whilst engine was running and got 13.+ volts, so guess its getting power.  Considering getting a whole new compressor, etc off ebay to test that and can always sell on after if not needed.

[Ubatoid]

Well it just so happens ........

[dark_stranger]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
Well it just so happens ........
[/quote]

lol

[dark_stranger]

Why did you convert yours to springs?  what issues where you having?

[Ubatoid]

[quote="dark_stranger"]
[quote="Ubatoid"]
Well it just so happens ........
[/quote]

lol
[/quote]

In all seriousness, I do have a spare pump assembly. Drop me a line if you want to go down this route.