Range Rover LSE 1995 Air Suspension

Hi,
I am new on here and I have a 1995 Range Rover LSE. I have owned it for 9 years and although I have heard many people say that the air suspension is a serious problem, but I have never had a problem until now. It dropped to the bump stops just half a mile from home and I had a very slow and uncomfortable drive home. I don't have a clue how it works, so I have taken it to my local Land Rover specialist. They have had it for three weeks and have checked out very part of the air suspension and tell me that everything is working, but they can't get it to function as an air suspension system. They have basically given up an suggested that I change it over to coil suspension. I am not that keen, because I would like to retain the originality.
Does anybody know of an air suspension specialist in the southern Hampshire, or New Forest area? Or does anybody have an idea of what could be wrong? Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

Welcome aboard.

The early classic air suspension was riddled with faults, they got it ironed out "sort of" on the P38..

How old are the airbags?

Has the compressor ever been changed?

First, there are two levels of fault code on the Classic (1992-95) Range Rover. Both are indicated by the suspension control lights flashing for approx. 15secs. after the engine is started, followed by them all remaining on continuously. “Non-fatal” fault codes allow the vehicle to be driven normally (i.e. the system will attempt to maintain last known level settings) but do not permit raising and lowering of the system. “Fatal” fault codes dump the air pressure and the vehicle sits on its bump stops until fixed! (When this happens, if you need to drive more than about 2 miles, you must replace the bump stops afterwards – they can’t take much stick).


Second, there is another possible fault situation if the main 15A suspension system feed fuse blows – there is no flashing when the ignition is switched on, the lights just remain permanently alight both LR people and non-franchise specialists reckon it happens.

Another common problem for a “non-fatal” fault code is bad electrical connections between the level sensors and the ECU. For some inexplicable reason, Range Rover underside wiring is very exposed and the connector blocks get filled with road spray (or worse if you go off-road). These need cleaning and waterproofing, but if that rectifies the fault, you’ve still got to go to the dealer to have the ECU fault code cleared (unless your suggested method of holding down the over-ride button works). Also, seized level sensors seem a problem. On the Classic Range Rover, the only way to re-level the vehicle when clearing a fault code is using 4 jacks and a measuring tape (even if you are the dealer), and level ground. The new Range Rover can be levelled using the diagnostic software.

The thermal cut off/switch in the Air compressor can also fail causing the pump to stop working..

A jumper wire can be used as a temporary measure but really a new compressor should be fitted if this is the case..

It's also a good idea to disconnect the battery when working on the system..

Henry_b said:

It's also a good idea to disconnect the battery when working on the system..

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply,
The airbags were new when I bought it, along with the compressor - that was 9 years ago.
The local Land Rover specialist tells me that both the bags and compressor are fine. I have no reason to doubt them.
Fortunately I was less than half a mile from home when the bags deflated. I stopped at a turn and the car dropped and I drove home very slowly.
When I start it, the lights flash as you say and then they stay on, but the vehicle remains on the bump stops.
The specialist also tells me that the sensors are all working ok and the wiring is ok and clean.
The specialist has had the vehicle for 2 weeks and called me and said that he was stumped, so I need to collect it and find someone hopefully near the New Forest that knows LR air suspension inside out. I don't have the knowledge to be able to fix it and the specialist says that he could put it on coil suspension, but I would like to keep it original. However if the cost to fix the air suspension is prohibitive, it may have to be coil suspension.
Many thanks for your help.

Neil Offer said:

Thanks for the reply,
The airbags were new when I bought it, along with the compressor - that was 9 years ago.
The local Land Rover specialist tells me that both the bags and compressor are fine. I have no reason to doubt them.
Fortunately I was less than half a mile from home when the bags deflated. I stopped at a turn and the car dropped and I drove home very slowly.
When I start it, the lights flash as you say and then they stay on, but the vehicle remains on the bump stops.
The specialist also tells me that the sensors are all working ok and the wiring is ok and clean.
The specialist has had the vehicle for 2 weeks and called me and said that he was stumped, so I need to collect it and find someone hopefully near the New Forest that knows LR air suspension inside out. I don't have the knowledge to be able to fix it and the specialist says that he could put it on coil suspension, but I would like to keep it original. However if the cost to fix the air suspension is prohibitive, it may have to be coil suspension.
Many thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

The air compressor valveblock can also cause issues.

Has he disassembled the compressor? it is entirely possible the Piston O-ring has failed.

Also the airbags can come apart from their base causing a giant air leak..

To be honest, the chap didn't mention the valve block, but he did remove the compressor and put a new one on to check if it was faulty and there was no change. He also said that have inflated the bags and lifted the vehicle and no bag leaks were evident.

Neil Offer said:

To be honest, the chap didn't mention the valve block, but he did remove the compressor and put a new one on to check if it was faulty and there was no change. He also said that have inflated the bags and lifted the vehicle and no bag leaks were evident.

Click to expand...

How long did she stay up?

TBH I would find a better specialist!!

He did tell me, but I took the message while driving and I don't remember, but I am seeing him on Tuesday, so I will have a more detailed chat then.
I am looking for someone in Hampshire that might know LR air suspension. There are plenty of main dealers around here, but they are really not interested in a 1995 Classic. I would rather have a recommendation than just look on google.

If the system is completely sealed the car should stay inflated and level indefinitely.

If it went down quite quickly it signifies a leak somewhere.

Welcome to the forum