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f1roborbob

Member
Intermittently my P38 compressor (I think) will take an age to start pumping when starting the car after a lengthy stop. But evntually (2 or 3 miles) it does pump up. Today it will not pump at all. No warning messages, just the "entry" light on and the normal height level light flashing. Drove a couple of miles, eventually stopped and pressed the "entry" button and the car dropped to the stops and won't rise at all, which is not surprising because the pump isn't working! - or at least I can't hear it (It's that buzzing/clicking noise isn't it that you hear when you start and sometimes when at low speed? See, I'm pretty ignorant).

I have done a couple of searches but most people seem to get some sort of warning message.

Can someone tell me where the compressor is please and suggest any simple checks and /or easy solutions?

Thanks chaps

(You may have noticed that only yesterday I praised my car for trouble free towing through France, and this is how she repays me :()
 
Go to` rswsolutions.com`. Storey Wilson`s site. Click on P38a diag. videos. There are great easy to follow explanations of EAS system and trouble-shooting. Think there`s a coupla vids dealing with manualy firing up pump &checking thermal & pressure switches. Well worth seeing 2 or 3 times to understand what you`re dealing with os`s you can find the prob! Ask again here if you need help but seeing those vids should put you on right track. Good luck. And don`t tempt the Gemlins....
 
f1roborbob said:
Intermittently my P38 compressor (I think) will take an age to start pumping when starting the car after a lengthy stop. But evntually (2 or 3 miles) it does pump up. Today it will not pump at all. No warning messages, just the "entry" light on and the normal height level light flashing. Drove a couple of miles, eventually stopped and pressed the "entry" button and the car dropped to the stops and won't rise at all, which is not surprising because the pump isn't working! - or at least I can't hear it (It's that buzzing/clicking noise isn't it that you hear when you start and sometimes when at low speed? See, I'm pretty ignorant).

I have done a couple of searches but most people seem to get some sort of warning message.

Can someone tell me where the compressor is please and suggest any simple checks and /or easy solutions?

Thanks chaps

(You may have noticed that only yesterday I praised my car for trouble free towing through France, and this is how she repays me :()
Click to expand...

I can't hear the compressor on my car from the inside. Sounds like the compressor seal has gone if the pump actually runs going on the slow pump up time. Either that or you have a leak somewhere or an electrical fault. Now it's on the bump stops do you not get the Max 35mph message? If you don't get the error message, I would guess that the pump is running and the ECU is waiting for the car to rise. I think you will get an error message soon LOL.

The buzzing clicking sounds you hear when starting are more likely to be the fuel pump and/or the ABS/Brake system pump.

The EAS compressor is in the black box under the bonnet on your right as you look in from the front. The lid of the box is marked EAS and you can see all the air lines coming out of the side. The EAS valve block is in the same place.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the advice - It is on the stops and no I do not have an error message. I will be looking at it tomorrow - and watching the videos later tonight. Possibly the buzzing sound is not the compressor but I can't hear it now which is why I linked it to the compressor. Anyway will report what I find - and thanks again.
 
If its the same problem as mine its the shaft on the piston thats snaped mine snaped last sunday replaced it on wednessday and it snaped again to day iknow caus just checked it the reasion you cant hear it is caus the upper part of the snaped shaft is jaming it stoping it from rotating
 
I have air suspension pump off 1993 LSE, and valve block, Computer etc. I think they might be same as P38. Open to offers if you find they are suitable
 
HELP PLEASE!
Working through the diagnostics on RSWsolutions (great site).
Unfortunately Compressor doesn't operate at all, but I still have no error messages.
Checked three fuses, all ok.
Tried to operate compressor by removing the relay as per RSWsolutions video. However the relay on mine has different pin numbers but have tried to connect same as he connects in the video. Still Compressor dead. Can anyone confirm by description which relay pin slots need to be connected to confirm if compressor will run?
Tested overheat and pressure sensors as per RSWsolutions and both seem ok (although can't test full pressure without compressor running).

Any advice?

Thanks
 
gemsdad said:
i cannot hear my air suspension pump,could it be your fuel pump that you hear on start up.
Click to expand...

I can hear mine, but I suspect that might be something to do with the previous numpty owner doing his usual and leaving all the mounting nuts off.

Anyone know where I can get replacements (what size etc)? I hate buying replacement fixings - never know what to get or where to get em.
 
have you checked to see if its a broken piston ?
undo the three bolts holding the filter (mushroom looking thing) PLATE OFF AND YOU CAN SEE INSIDE to see if its snaped
 
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