TD5 - air suspension compressor

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pateire

New Member
Posts
36
Location
Tralee
Hi Guys

Just had a quick query.

The last few weeks my air compressor for the rear air suspension has been making a right racket when i switch off the engine - it sounds like someone underneath with a machine gun - and yes I did check and there's nobody underneath with a machine gun :p

Funny thing is it usually happens just once a week and lasts for up to 20 minutes after the ignition is off - are they meant to run on that long with the key out?

The rear of the vehicle is always level and has never sunk down.

Am I looking at a new compressor or could it be something simpler?

I usually restart the engine and leave it idle as the last time it drained the battery in less than 20 minutes :(

Many thanks

Pat
 
Hi Pat, re your air suspension, my first question would be has it been very cold (minus temps all day long) around your way.

The reason why I ask is that round where I live it's been -8 during the night and -2 during the day and my air suspension is playing up.

I had a quick look and found the ride height sensors both covered in solid ice and I think it may be stopping them working correctly.

I've have to sls warning light coming on the last couple of days and the drivers side is sitting low.

Now I know it could be a leaking bag, but it's never shown this behaviour before this last cold spell and the sensors are iced up so I'm hoping that in the coming milder weather (can't come too soon!!)

The air compressor will adjust the ride height after you've emptied the car, that is normal. However, if it is pumping as opposed to releasing that sounds like you might have a leaking bag.

If you need to buy one or two, Paddocks do them for £63.+ vat.

RKB101200 Rear Air Spring - including 2 clips (WEB EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER)
 
thebiglad said:
Hi Pat, re your air suspension, my first question would be has it been very cold (minus temps all day long) around your way.

The reason why I ask is that round where I live it's been -8 during the night and -2 during the day and my air suspension is playing up.

I had a quick look and found the ride height sensors both covered in solid ice and I think it may be stopping them working correctly.

I've have to sls warning light coming on the last couple of days and the drivers side is sitting low.

Now I know it could be a leaking bag, but it's never shown this behaviour before this last cold spell and the sensors are iced up so I'm hoping that in the coming milder weather (can't come too soon!!)

The air compressor will adjust the ride height after you've emptied the car, that is normal. However, if it is pumping as opposed to releasing that sounds like you might have a leaking bag.

If you need to buy one or two, Paddocks do them for £63.+ vat.

RKB101200 Rear Air Spring - including 2 clips (WEB EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER)
Click to expand...

Hi there

It has been cold but maybe not constantly below freezing.

For as long as I have had the Disco the rear air suspension has never ever sunk at all - it's only the last few weeks that the compressor has been making this horrendous noise - loud enough to startle passers by :eek:

If I restart the engine it muffles it but just wondering if the compressor should even be running on indefinitely with the key out? I thought they just ran for a few seconds.

I am pretty sure the air bags aren't leaking - sounds more like the compressor is knackered or something else faulty to do with the compressor.

Thanks

Pat
 
The compressor should never run on once the key is pulled,If it is the pump making a racket it's on it's way out..symtoms in freezing weather are pump seizing up and blowing fuseable link in engine fuse box (30 amp) I think moisture in the pump is the cause..Does opening any of the doors cut the noise dead ?
 
Last edited:
robd75 said:
could be the relay, when my relay went the only way to stop the compressor was to remove the relay. Normaly my compressor does not run once the engine is off
Click to expand...

I was thinking that - it shouldn't run at all - i will investigate the relay.

thanks
 
zest said:
The compressor should never run on once the key is pulled,If it is the pump making a racket it's on it's way out..symtoms in freezing weather are pump seizing up and blowing fuseable link in engine fuse box (30 amp) I think moisture in the pump is the cause..Does opening any of the doors cut the noise dead ?
Click to expand...

Yes it could be moisture - had the disco for 2 years and no real trouble before this.

Its not blowing the 30A fuse though - I took it out the last day for a while just to kill the noise.

Opening the doors makes no difference. It just runs away merrily. With the key at position 2 (lights on dash but not running) it rattles away. With the key out it varies. Sometimes it rattles like a machine gun and other times it just makes a loud pulsing noise every 2 seconds.

Will look further. Thanks.
 
Pateire,i don't think your problem noise is your compressor as opening any door would stop the noise instantly
 
zest said:
Pateire,i don't think your problem noise is your compressor as opening any door would stop the noise instantly
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. The noise is definitely coming from the compressor so maybe i better look at why it's still getting power.
 
happned on my disco 2 ride height sensor had perished the rubber bit fooling the compressor into working constantly had to disconect the battery fitted new sensor sorted straight away
 
David Pye said:
Mine does sometimes run for a few secs on/few secs off after I get out and all the doors + tailgate are closed, but certainly not if a door is opened.
Click to expand...

Is this normal for all TD5's?
As I have noticed a quiet pumping sound sometimes when I turn the engine off, which seems to last for around a minute until it stops.
However, if I open a door and then close it the noise stops......

I may add rear suspension has always stayed level to date.
 
So has mine, so I assume it is just compensating for the small amount of contraction/expansion it gets based on outside temperature?

Either that or perhaps the ECU tries to use the compressor for a couple of secs every now and again to keep it running smoothly? Dunno!

David
 
The compressor won't run without the engine running, and even then it still wont run if a door is left open. The noise your hearing is most likely the valves operating levelling the car out (down) once you and who ever have left the car.

The car can lower itself with no keys in etc ie when you unload the boot, but it DEF cannot raise itself up = compressor running.
 
I have had this on my td5, no suspension dropping, just the compressor pumping, after switch off.
I remove the fuse in frustration, but have found that if I wiggle the relay, it stops.
suggesting to me its the relay.
But then again Im only a carpet fitter:D
 
Hi Patiere
Im gettin exactly the same problem, the compressor carries on runnin even when the keys out! and it doesnt matter how many doors are open .The only way to stop it ive found is to disconnect the battery,( temp solution til investigated )
 
Reconnected battery this morning ,and lo and behold , everything normal.But had booked it into main L/R garage to diagnose the problem so continued with appointment anyway.Needless to say they couldnt find anything wrong ,(no fault codes coming up ). So drove it around quite happily until I parked it on a slight camber,when I returned to the car the rear nearside had slumped right down, but returned to the right height when upped and downed it with the dash button.It has been parked on my driveway for hours now and it is perfectly alright.What is going on?
 
Oh God ,not that old chestnut again ----the air bags. However it may not be, cos ive had a closer look under the wheel arches and noticed that one of the ride height sensor arms is all choked up with mud and is perished where the rubber bit connects to the suspension and may have been sticking .Not only that but I had both air bags changed about 2 years ago and altho I know one could have become faulty I am going to monitor the situation first, and see if it happens again.
 
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