P38A EAS level confusion

Datatek · Jan 3, 2020

kermit_rr said:
I'll start with checking the connections to the ecu, then move to finding the white plug. I'd prefer to fix that rather than cut and splice

The white connectors are unfixable IMO, the only fix is to cut them out.

Datatek · Jan 3, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Yes it's a big tall black one

OK

kermit_rr · Jan 3, 2020

Datatek said:
The white connectors are unfixable IMO, the only fix is to cut them out.

Is it actually in the door pillar, or the side panel in front?

kermit_rr · Jan 3, 2020

Does the sunroof/door window need oiling to solve the stiffness in both, or is there more to it?
So i can reset the beeps after battery disconnect

Datatek · Jan 3, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Is it actually in the door pillar, or the side panel in front?

Behind the plastic kick panel at the base of the A post passenger side.

Grrrrrr · Jan 3, 2020

kermit_rr said:
I've not tried that! I'd rather fix though. Doesn't do anything at all if i take the relay out

It won't.

Grrrrrr · Jan 3, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Does the sunroof/door window need oiling to solve the stiffness in both, or is there more to it?
So i can reset the beeps after battery disconnect

Something like that. I think they might use a white grease from factory? If so that will go hard over time. You could clean it all off and try PTFE lubricant but it tends to wear off fast. Maybe clean up and try moly or lithium grease, something light.

pwood999 · Jan 3, 2020

When I had corrosion in the white connect for the EAS Switch, it only caused intermittent switch operation - not height changes. Totally agree with previous suggestions to cut them out. Cut the wires (one pair at a time) and solder together, not forgetting to slide the heat shrink onto the wires first !! In my case the wire colours matched on both sides so it was easy. If you don't want to disconnect the battery, simply pull the EAS fuses. (F24 & F44 I think ? )

Regarding the hunting, sounds to me like the EAS is constantly kicking in due to a small leak somewhere. Hence it uses some air to adjust and then the pump kicks in to replace it. Do the usual checks with soapy water while it's running & timer relay removed overnight !! EAS Unlock or Nanocom will show what is adjusting during hunting, so might make leak finding easier.

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

Time to revisit this issue! I hate intermittent problems!!!
Few questions..
Is it possible to rewire a standard obd2 to usb cable to work with the eas software?
If i pull fuse 29 and 35, will that stop height adjustment while driving and is that safe? Will that put the system into a hard fault?
I've yet to check the white connector for corrosion, that's next on the list!!!
I'm guessing i either need the free eas software or nanocom to properly diagnose the height hunting? There's no major leak, it will keep height on the drive for days without sinking

Datatek · Mar 8, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Time to revisit this issue! I hate intermittent problems!!!
Few questions..
Is it possible to rewire a standard obd2 to usb cable to work with the eas software?
If i pull fuse 29 and 35, will that stop height adjustment while driving and is that safe? Will that put the system into a hard fault?
I've yet to check the white connector for corrosion, that's next on the list!!!
I'm guessing i either need the free eas software or nanocom to properly diagnose the height hunting? There's no major leak, it will keep height on the drive for days without sinking

Just pull the EAS relay to freeze the EAS.
A USB to OBD cable will not work, the EAS software is RS232 so you need a USB to RS232 adaptor unless your PC has a serial port.
What do you mean by "Hunting"?
When you say "no major leak" I hope you mean no leak as any leak however small will cause problems. If it doesn't drop at all over a period of days it would seem there are no leaks.
The RSW EAS software is good, easier to use than Nanocom but it needs a laptop. As an investment, Nanocom is better because it covers all the car's systems.

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

Datatek said:
Just pull the EAS relay to freeze the EAS.
A USB to OBD cable will not work, the EAS software is RS232 so you need a USB to RS232 adaptor unless your PC has a serial port.
What do you mean by "Hunting"?
When you say "no major leak" I hope you mean no leak as any leak however small will cause problems. If it doesn't drop at all over a period of days it would seem there are no leaks.
The RSW EAS software is good, easier to use than Nanocom but it needs a laptop. As an investment, Nanocom is better because it covers all the car's systems.

By hunting i mean with the engine running it will adjust up and down a few times, then pause while the compressor runs, then repeat. When i turn off the engine, it will do another final adjustment.
The thing is, sometimes it's ok, i can be stationary and there will be no adjustments. Other times i can park up at standard height and when i turn the engine off it will adjust down to the bump stops
By no major leak, i mean over a week it will drop a bit from standard height, but not much, certainly not to the stops
Hope that makes sense

Datatek · Mar 8, 2020

kermit_rr said:
By hunting i mean with the engine running it will adjust up and down a few times, then pause while the compressor runs, then repeat. When i turn off the engine, it will do another final adjustment.
The thing is, sometimes it's ok, i can be stationary and there will be no adjustments. Other times i can park up at standard height and when i turn the engine off it will adjust down to the bump stops
By no major leak, i mean over a week it will drop a bit from standard height, but not much, certainly not to the stops
Hope that makes sense

It should never level down to the bump stops in a short space of time. Sounds like there might be a leak to me. How old are the airbags?

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

Not exactly sure on age but they look quite new, had a good look at them when set to full height

Datatek · Mar 8, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Not exactly sure on age but they look quite new, had a good look at them when set to full height

No sign of crazing where they fold under at the bottom?

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

Datatek said:
No sign of crazing where they fold under at the bottom?

No, still pretty much new. With all the problems I've had with the engine (sorted now) it's not done many miles under my ownership

Datatek · Mar 8, 2020

kermit_rr said:
No, still pretty much new. With all the problems I've had with the engine (sorted now) it's not done many miles under my ownership

A soapy water spray on the bags and all the pipe connections might be a good idea.
Bag leaks tend to open and close as the fold at the bottom moves.

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

I'll do that next time I'm home in the light and it's not raining!!!!

Grrrrrr · Mar 8, 2020

kermit_rr said:
By hunting i mean with the engine running it will adjust up and down a few times, then pause while the compressor runs, then repeat. When i turn off the engine, it will do another final adjustment.
The thing is, sometimes it's ok, i can be stationary and there will be no adjustments. Other times i can park up at standard height and when i turn the engine off it will adjust down to the bump stops
By no major leak, i mean over a week it will drop a bit from standard height, but not much, certainly not to the stops
Hope that makes sense

That sounds like a height sensor. Some early cars do seem to adjust down to the bump-stops, especially if 1 sensor is a bit close to reading outside default range. Later versions of the software seem to limit the travel more or not seen same thing. Maybe after the 97 upgrades? pwood or similar might even be able to unpick the coding.

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

Grrrrrr said:
That sounds like a height sensor. Some early cars do seem to adjust down to the bump-stops, especially if 1 sensor is a bit close to reading outside default range. Later versions of the software seem to limit the travel more or not seen same thing. Maybe after the 97 upgrades? pwood or similar might even be able to unpick the coding.

Mine is a 2000MY

kermit_rr · Mar 8, 2020

I did wonder whether it might be a dirty sensor reading too high or too low but never just right

P38A EAS level confusion

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