P38A Air suspension newbie question and some other small niggles

hi everyone new to air suspension" I've read a few threads about air suspension but mine is slightly different to what I've read so I'm a little confused.

I was driving home at about 60mph when eas fault pops up says slow to below 35mph, this message quickly vanishes the suspension hasn't dropped still at motorway height. I read that the 35mph warning stays on and suspension drops right down if it's a hard fault. I

I've just ordered a lead and software. Also found a few owners manuals on cd and the eas software but no lead in with the folders full of history . I'm just wondering what's first thing I should do without going my local specialist and is she safe to drive as it will be a few days for lead to get here.



Another issue I have is the central locking only unlocks drivers side rear door and boot with fob rest I have to do by key are manually inside. Any ideas on the fault and method of repairing.

One last question is anyone based in Lancashire is good with rangies and doesn't mind giving a lad a hand.weres best place too get parts too



Thanks Lee

Best place to start with EAS is Wammers post in the Technical Section.

Lock motors probably burnt out. Usually caused by old RF receiver under the RHS rear parcel shelf.

I get most of my parts off eBay or Island-4x4 but sometimes Rimmer Brothers or Paddock Spares come up trumps. Emmotts can be helpful when it comes to second hand parts.

Bit of a update eas lead is ordere to read faults. No just gone to the rangie and its dropped to bump stops and the don't go above 35mph. So it's been parked up till the lead turns up then see what's wrong with it . Been told pump might need a refurb and kit is only £20 and supposedly easy to fit.

LeeG said:

Bit of a update eas lead is ordere to read faults. No just gone to the rangie and its dropped to bump stops and the don't go above 35mph. So it's been parked up till the lead turns up then see what's wrong with it . Been told pump might need a refurb and kit is only £20 and supposedly easy to fit.

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You could try LZIR and see if someone has diagnostics nearby.

Datatek on here will make a lead for you and give you all the EAS software etc for about £20 if you send him a message. You were told correct on the pump, although you might want to check the thermal cut-out switch too. All in Wammers post.

Managed to get eas unlock to connect all reset for the time being. Will service the compressor and valve block and work my way to the air bags

Run the compressor with driver's door open and get some air in the the EAS first. Then check the entire system for leaks, and fix these before you refurb the compressor. Otherwise a leaky system will wear out your nicely refurbished compressor !! (or buy two sets of compressor kits !! )

If you have a workshop airline, you can feed the system via the dryer, and trigger everything using EAS Unlock . . .

i.e. to fill the tank you simply connect your airline, then disconnect the EAS compressor, and using software tell the EAS to run the compressor. This has the effect of opening the diaphragm valve allowing the tank to fill from your workshop airline. Then you can raise the car and have the whole system ready for leak tests.

RE the above. I note most guides say leave a door open or the boot to fill the tank. It's worth noting that this isn't always the case as mine (and I know of others) doesn't kill off the eas by having a door open..so if there's a leak, it'll never fill the tank that way.

domino said:

RE the above. I note most guides say leave a door open or the boot to fill the tank. It's worth noting that this isn't always the case as mine (and I know of others) doesn't kill off the eas by having a door open..so if there's a leak, it'll never fill the tank that way.

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You have a fault on your car then. Having a door open should inhibit the EAS, and stop it from lowering or rising to prevent an open door, tailgate or bonnet from hitting an obstruction.

pwood999 said:

Run the compressor with driver's door open and get some air in the the EAS first. Then check the entire system for leaks, and fix these before you refurb the compressor. Otherwise a leaky system will wear out your nicely refurbished compressor !! (or buy two sets of compressor kits !! )

If you have a workshop airline, you can feed the system via the dryer, and trigger everything using EAS Unlock . . .

i.e. to fill the tank you simply connect your airline, then disconnect the EAS compressor, and using software tell the EAS to run the compressor. This has the effect of opening the diaphragm valve allowing the tank to fill from your workshop airline. Then you can raise the car and have the whole system ready for leak tests.

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I think running the compressor may close the diaphragm valve. When the compressor is powered the diaphragm valve solenoid is activated putting air pressure under the diaphragm and closing the exhaust port.

wammers said:

You have a fault on your car then. Having a door open should inhibit the EAS, and stop it from lowering or rising to prevent an open door, tailgate or bonnet from hitting an obstruction.

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Not necessarily. From what I've been told, this behaviour can be switched on/off in the BECM so it's quite possibly switched off. It's never bothered me so haven't looked to see.

domino said:

Not necessarily. From what I've been told, this behaviour can be switched on/off in the BECM so it's quite possibly switched off. It's never bothered me so haven't looked to see.

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It cannot be switched on and off in the BECM. There is no function for doing so.

And the BeCM has no control on the EAS in any case.....that's why there is an EAS ECU

wammers said:

I think running the compressor may close the diaphragm valve. When the compressor is powered the diaphragm valve solenoid is activated putting air pressure under the diaphragm and closing the exhaust port.

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Yes exactly. The reason for disconnecting the compressor is just to reduce wear & noise while using EAS Unlock to fill the tank from garage airline. If I remember correctly this also works without the engine running, because the software bypasses the ECU check on the engine status.

Saint.V8 said:

And the BeCM has no control on the EAS in any case.....that's why there is an EAS ECU

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Surely the BECM is used to inform the EAS ECU if a door or the tailgate is open?

pwood999 said:

Yes exactly. The reason for disconnecting the compressor is just to reduce wear & noise while using EAS Unlock to fill the tank from garage airline. If I remember correctly this also works without the engine running, because the software bypasses the ECU check on the engine status.

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Yes you can run the compressor without engine running but ignition must be at position 2.

domino said:

Surely the BECM is used to inform the EAS ECU if a door or the tailgate is open?

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Yes but the function cannot be switched off other than by placing car in transport mode which inhibits all EAS functions. It basically stops the EAS from waking to automatically level. Other than that there is no function in either EAS or BECM that cancels door open inhibit of the EAS. Certainly not on a Nanocom . I don't know what functions are available on an unlocked BECM. Rick the Pick may know, but i doubt that would be one of them.

domino said:

RE the above. I note most guides say leave a door open or the boot to fill the tank. It's worth noting that this isn't always the case as mine (and I know of others) doesn't kill off the eas by having a door open..so if there's a leak, it'll never fill the tank that way.

Click to expand...

What year is yours Domino? Much to my surprise mine is the same, I agree with wammers though that there is a fault because the interior lights dont work on the front doors being open in mine. (Another issue!) how are your interior lights. the only daft reason I can think for anyone turning this of is that mine will drop to access with a door open and it is really annoying when trying to drop the car with passengers who don't listen and despite saying dont open a door until I say they still do!

I dont think my car knows when either of the front doors are open, a problem with the door lock microswitches maybe?

quavey said:

What year is yours Domino? Much to my surprise mine is the same, I agree with wammers though that there is a fault because the interior lights dont work on the front doors being open in mine. (Another issue!) how are your interior lights. the only daft reason I can think for anyone turning this of is that mine will drop to access with a door open and it is really annoying when trying to drop the car with passengers who don't listen and despite saying dont open a door until I say they still do!

I dont think my car knows when either of the front doors are open, a problem with the door lock microswitches maybe?

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All outer doors and tailgate are fitted with door ajar switches these are what control your interior lights and EAS inhibit with doors open.

wammers said:

All outer doors and tailgate are fitted with door ajar switches these are what control your interior lights and EAS inhibit with doors open.

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Where are the door adjar switches? Within the lock mechanism? Or are they a separate switch?

No problems with interior lights at all. In fact, (touching wood furiously) I don't have any problems at the moment at all. It's been like this since day one and was a problem when I had my EAS issues as waiting for it to charge the tank took forever.. turns out, it's because it wouldn't disable EAS with doors or tailgate open.

@quavey - it's a 2000 (w)