P38A Unrepairable EAS fault after side steps fitted?

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ok I have a list of faults from EAS Unlock (ver 3.x)

View attachment 309106
This is the usual fault list when the comms are not correct, do you have a good (green) idle ? if not try changing your comm port or as mentioned, the OBD port or the wiring in the kick panel. I would try the comm port first. See upper left on the photo where it shows "Good Idle"
 

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OK, so that is one issue I need to fix, I think it is caused by the passenger side connectors behind the kick panel. They are partly green with corrosion. Will try and clean them up and try again, will check driver side too if those ones affect EAS.

However, the plot has thickened.. I will post a general update on that in a moment.
 
I'd go back to the left hand side kick panel, you said someone has repaired things in there that only needed doing. The rule of thumb is to solder all the wires in those connections. Also in the right hand side kick panel. Once checked and or repaired this can rule out an awful lot of issues with ease and the sound system as to say the least 🤔👍
yes plan to go back and work on that. Prob is the car is 150 miles away from me. Next time I visit I will go through it. Connectors are corroded, I found out today. Back down there in 2 weeks or so.
 
OK, quick general update.........
I have delays in getting things done as the car is 3+ hours drive from me.

I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

These springs are all genuine Dunlops and only 8 years old. No problems at all, then all 4 fail at the same time????????
it has been as good as gold and now this........ It passed its MOT, then went on a ramp to have the steps fitted, and now suddenly (within an hour or 2 of the work) all 4 springs are dead, I presume all folded in on themselves (like the front one I found) and split halfway through their life expectancy.

Next time I go down there I am thinking of arranging to take it back to the guys who had it and tell them to put it on a 4-post lift while I show them the damage. They must have damaged them on a 2 post lift letting the suspension hang down and over-extend. Is that correct?

I will change the springs myself, I did them all last time on the drive, but I want them to see. I think if they broke them they should pay for new ones, not sure I trust them to fit them. The owner is a really good guy, very fair, but I think he gave the job to somebody who does not know EAS.

FRUSTRATED! :mad::(:oops:o_O
 
OK, quick general update.........
I have delays in getting things done as the car is 3+ hours drive from me.

I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

These springs are all genuine Dunlops and only 8 years old. No problems at all, then all 4 fail at the same time????????
it has been as good as gold and now this........ It passed its MOT, then went on a ramp to have the steps fitted, and now suddenly (within an hour or 2 of the work) all 4 springs are dead, I presume all folded in on themselves (like the front one I found) and split halfway through their life expectancy.

Next time I go down there I am thinking of arranging to take it back to the guys who had it and tell them to put it on a 4-post lift while I show them the damage. They must have damaged them on a 2 post lift letting the suspension hang down and over-extend. Is that correct?

I will change the springs myself, I did them all last time on the drive, but I want them to see. I think if they broke them they should pay for new ones, not sure I trust them to fit them. The owner is a really good guy, very fair, but I think he gave the job to somebody who does not know EAS.

FRUSTRATED! :mad::(:oops:o_O
As long as there is air in the bags the will not fold in on themselves.
The design life of Dunlop bags is 8 years, Marks only lasted 4 years
If you can only get 40 psi in the bags, it must be a weak compressor, there is nothing to stop them inflating to the point of explosion.
There is nothing wrong with hanging the wheels on a 2 post lift.
 
OK, quick general update.........
I have delays in getting things done as the car is 3+ hours drive from me.

I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

These springs are all genuine Dunlops and only 8 years old. No problems at all, then all 4 fail at the same time????????
it has been as good as gold and now this........ It passed its MOT, then went on a ramp to have the steps fitted, and now suddenly (within an hour or 2 of the work) all 4 springs are dead, I presume all folded in on themselves (like the front one I found) and split halfway through their life expectancy.

Next time I go down there I am thinking of arranging to take it back to the guys who had it and tell them to put it on a 4-post lift while I show them the damage. They must have damaged them on a 2 post lift letting the suspension hang down and over-extend. Is that correct?

I will change the springs myself, I did them all last time on the drive, but I want them to see. I think if they broke them they should pay for new ones, not sure I trust them to fit them. The owner is a really good guy, very fair, but I think he gave the job to somebody who does not know EAS.

FRUSTRATED! :mad::(:oops:o_O
I do believe about 8years is expected life span of Dunlops
 
OK, quick general update.........
I have delays in getting things done as the car is 3+ hours drive from me.

I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

These springs are all genuine Dunlops and only 8 years old. No problems at all, then all 4 fail at the same time????????
it has been as good as gold and now this........ It passed its MOT, then went on a ramp to have the steps fitted, and now suddenly (within an hour or 2 of the work) all 4 springs are dead, I presume all folded in on themselves (like the front one I found) and split halfway through their life expectancy.

Next time I go down there I am thinking of arranging to take it back to the guys who had it and tell them to put it on a 4-post lift while I show them the damage. They must have damaged them on a 2 post lift letting the suspension hang down and over-extend. Is that correct?

I will change the springs myself, I did them all last time on the drive, but I want them to see. I think if they broke them they should pay for new ones, not sure I trust them to fit them. The owner is a really good guy, very fair, but I think he gave the job to somebody who does not know EAS.

FRUSTRATED! :mad::(:oops:o_O
If it is any thing like mine a few years back they lifted the car on a low setting which can cause the rubber to separate from the end cap which would do what you are saying. This is fixable, PIA but you can put the bags back together again. Tearing the bags by lifting is probably not the cause, I'll lay odds that the bag/bags have separated
 
As long as there is air in the bags the will not fold in on themselves.
The design life of Dunlop bags is 8 years, Marks only lasted 4 years
If you can only get 40 psi in the bags, it must be a weak compressor, there is nothing to stop them inflating to the point of explosion.
There is nothing wrong with hanging the wheels on a 2 post lift.
It was lifted with air in the bags as it was all working then.
The compressor will not come on, that is why I used a petrol station tyre inflator. Air must be leaking from all (certainly 1) so my question is if the life expectancy is 8 years max, then why have they all failed at exactly the same time immediately after they worked on it?
Surely that is suspicious?
 
Please could you point me to this?
Is it luck the previous springs lasted 16 years or more?
Depends on the use, conditions, maintenance etc, mine did 19yrs, I only changed them because I got a set of new ones that someone had taken off a car he was putting on springs. I actually kept 1 front and 1 rear for spares and they are actually still pretty good!!
 
OK, quick general update.........
I have delays in getting things done as the car is 3+ hours drive from me.

I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

These springs are all genuine Dunlops and only 8 years old. No problems at all, then all 4 fail at the same time????????
it has been as good as gold and now this........ It passed its MOT, then went on a ramp to have the steps fitted, and now suddenly (within an hour or 2 of the work) all 4 springs are dead, I presume all folded in on themselves (like the front one I found) and split halfway through their life expectancy.

Next time I go down there I am thinking of arranging to take it back to the guys who had it and tell them to put it on a 4-post lift while I show them the damage. They must have damaged them on a 2 post lift letting the suspension hang down and over-extend. Is that correct?

I will change the springs myself, I did them all last time on the drive, but I want them to see. I think if they broke them they should pay for new ones, not sure I trust them to fit them. The owner is a really good guy, very fair, but I think he gave the job to somebody who does not know EAS.

FRUSTRATED! :mad::(:oops:o_O

Where's the hissing coming from?!

Airline to tank has been known to melt from exhaust leaks.

The caps on the bags can be dislodged and leak at the side. Have to take off to see properly. I'd check the line to the tank first. Tank is under the driver's seat.
 
I put the emergency valves on the airlines and attempted to pump the air springs up at a petrol station tyre inflator.
It made some sounds like it was trying to inflate, then popping like it was trying to reform to the normal shape, but it did not move up much. All springs will not go above 40 PSI, then I noticed the hissing at the front. There I think a split where it had folded in on itself.

All 4 springs do not inflate, not able to see the back as it's too low, but the fronts are shot.

You will need around 60-70psi, I often find that my spares car will need a bit more to get it to start coming up after being sat on the stops for a while. If they wont go above 40psi then yes you would have leaks to all 4 and should be able to hear them.

If you can only get 40 psi in the bags, it must be a weak compressor,
From a garage forecourt?

Where's the hissing coming from?!

Airline to tank has been known to melt from exhaust leaks.

Airline to tank is not in the equation if using emergency valves, they are direct to the bags.

As for life expectancy, use has so much affect, I still run originals(as far as I know) on my 2001 but of course the mileage is only just up to the mileage recommendation. So its a difficult thing to give a proper number.

I would be very surprised if all the bags have let go at the same time. If you can hear hissing and see a split on 1 front then yes its end of life;).
But 1 bad bag should not stop you from inflating the others.

J
 
You will need around 60-70psi, I often find that my spares car will need a bit more to get it to start coming up after being sat on the stops for a while. If they wont go above 40psi then yes you would have leaks to all 4 and should be able to hear them.


From a garage forecourt?



Airline to tank is not in the equation if using emergency valves, they are direct to the bags.

As for life expectancy, use has so much affect, I still run originals(as far as I know) on my 2001 but of course the mileage is only just up to the mileage recommendation. So its a difficult thing to give a proper number.

I would be very surprised if all the bags have let go at the same time. If you can hear hissing and see a split on 1 front then yes its end of life;).
But 1 bad bag should not stop you from inflating the others.

J

Putting too much air in on an emergency inflation kit could blow the bag cap off. Think they're rated to 110 psi when new.
 
Putting too much air in on an emergency inflation kit could blow the bag cap off. Think they're rated to 110 psi when new.

Yes I agree. But 40psi wouldn't lift my spares car if it had been on the stops a while. So something isn't right, maybe its leaking back in the block.
Its not that complicated system, "when you know" which is a problem with internet diagnosis as with many problems.

But I would say that 4 bags don't fail at the same time.

J
 
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