JerryXt

New Member
Today, we've gone to pick the vehicle up ('97 RR HSE). It drove superbly at all speeds but after half an hour, the dashboard went Apollo 13 with EAS Fault issues. Big suprise to the current owner as he'd never seen the issue before. It was around 50mph, where the vehicle is trying to go into motorway mode. The vehicles height didn't change - neither up nor down.

So we went into the nearest specialist, who cleared the (Continuous High Pressure) fault and spent half an hour making the car go up and down. We left, drove at reasonable speeds with the suspension working correctly, transferred money and started for the petrol station to fill up for the journey back.

As soon as the vehicle got to a reasonable speed, the EAS fault came back. We had already agreed that if the lights returned within a reasonable period, we could return the car.

Looking at the history, the car has had recent airbags and hoses and a new compressor. The seller has offered to get the vehicle fixed, then I can make up my mind what I do - buy or walk away. The rest of the vehicle is in good condition: drives well, looks good, quiet and comfortable. It's what I'm looking for and cheap enough that I can spend some money on it, getting it right, but he's offered to fix this.

So, I've read loads of threads here about EAS: some made sense, others were way over my head. Given that the vehicle maintains 'normal' height and was responding to commands in the workshop (stationary), I would assume that the system generates air and holds it. Also, the pump isn't running constantly to maintain height.

What I'm looking for (please!) is some background, so that when I'm told it's the spraggle clutch stepper motor, I can give a reasonably knowledgable reply.

Thanks for reading this and for the benefit of your knowledge.
 
drive box mate. Almost sure.
Continuous high pressure is eigher fault mate or the exhaust on the valve block that is bad
 
Hi....

Do you have the RAVE Manuals?? these are the offical Workshop manuals for the Land Rover Brand...(Stands for some thing like Rover Automotive Vehicle Encyclopedia)

land rover service factory manual RAVE download land rover resource, service manual, workshop factory manual, download, rave, vehicles including discovery, series, defender, range rover, freelander, LR3, Handbooks, Catalog, Catalogue, Land Rover Inte

Download this it is about 590MB so be paitient unles you have Fibre Optic BB like me:D

Get yourself a cup of tea/coffee and read all about the EAS system (and all the other systems for that matter) and you will be super-clued up.

I would guesstimate that it is either a sticky valve or a dodgy height sensor.

The Wammer and Datatek are the 'de-facto' experts on the EAS so they can shed more light....but a the RAVE manual is a great place to start from....
 
As it failed when trying to change height, I would go first for a height sensor. You need the free EAS software and cable to read the faults. The EAS is relatively simple to fix usually. Otherwise check the connectors in the EAS box and as said it could be the driver pack.
 
As it failed when trying to change height, I would go first for a height sensor. You need the free EAS software and cable to read the faults. The EAS is relatively simple to fix usually. Otherwise check the connectors in the EAS box and as said it could be the driver pack.
Codes have been readen already ;) and we don't have any XX signal incorrect.

If the fault occured when trying to lower on highway, it could be a full of dessicant valve block or bad exhaust.

The car couldn't lower itself.
 
Codes have been readen already ;) and we don't have any XX signal incorrect.

If the fault occured when trying to lower on highway, it could be a full of dessicant valve block or bad exhaust.

The car couldn't lower itself.

Continuous high pressure fault was the only one logged and that can apppear from a duff heght sensor.
 
Guys, thanks VERY much for the replies. The download will start as soon as I've posted :D


Clearly I'm new to RRs, but I've got a reasonable amount of mechanical knowledge and a high (tech/cost/reliability) fear threshold from running seriously tuned Ducatis. My initial thinking was that as the car was level this morning after standing for three weeks and it wasn't in limp home mode, it wasn't a leak and likely not the air pump.

Am I being over-optimistic in thinking that this won't be mega expensive? I know I've bought a car that needs some love and I'm happy to give it what it needs, but I haven't even got it home yet :)
 
They *can* be expensive if you want them to be....

BUT...Armed with the RAVE Manuals, Datatek's EAS Diagnostic Lead and the RSW Software that Datatek can provide for a bloody cheap price of around £11 plus the postage and a little bit of mechanical knowledge it can be be relatively cheap...

The system is simple in operation, just annoyingly finickity to poor servicing and low quality parts.

Have no fear and get stuck in, it is a very simple system....
 
Well, that was easy. Spoke to the seller, who took it to an independent and 'fixed' the fault. Which came back within 30 miles. So he took it to a LR dealer, who diagnosed the sensor in the (reconditioned) compressor.

One new compressor at £250 and it's perfect. It's got a few rattles and squeaks, but it's a 14 year old car. Right now, I love it. Wish I'd got one years ago.
 
Well, that was easy. Spoke to the seller, who took it to an independent and 'fixed' the fault. Which came back within 30 miles. So he took it to a LR dealer, who diagnosed the sensor in the (reconditioned) compressor.

One new compressor at £250 and it's perfect. It's got a few rattles and squeaks, but it's a 14 year old car. Right now, I love it. Wish I'd got one years ago.


I hate to tell you this but there is only one sensor in the compressor, that is a thermal cut out switch. It cannot, i repeat CANNOT have been responsible for you problems. It is simply not possible.
 
You didn't read SAINT's post fully.

If you give DATATEK a small number of beer tokens he will supply a lead that allows you to plug your computer into your car AND a disc with the software that allows you to read any clear any suspension faults AND it has a copy of RAVE on the disc.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Range Rover ownership.
 
I agree with Wammers, whatever sensor they changed it wasn't in the compressor. In fact judging by your post the compressor was OK. Are you sure they have changed it? My bet would be they just cleared the faults and emptied your wallet.
 
not my wallet - the seller paid. I'll get the full details of what was done, but the old compressor is in the boot, so they changed it for sure.

...and PM Datatek. I'm on a Mac, so I'll need to borrow my sons Windoze laptop for all of this.
 
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this will come as no suprise. It's back! This time, the car was just mooching along in traffic. Maybe 35mph. The height/mode indicator on the dash has all the leds lit and the dash shows the RR/up arrow icon It hasn't dropped into limp home mode: it's still high but not going up or down. I'm guessing that's normal in these circumstances?

I've ordered Datateks kit from France. The LR dealer report is waiting for me at home. Presumably I will be able to read the real fault code with the kit? Or will the EAS still just report high pressure?


So, this could be the height sensors, the electrical connectors on the EAS block or the (presumably) pressure release valve sticking. I'm happy to pop the hood and have a look - it's a complicated car, but I'm used to dealing with Ducatis - real prima donnas. Can someone point me at pictures with arrows that show where all these things are? Left handed - I need cartoons.

Still love it!
 
There are 2 fault modes of the EAS...Soft and Hard...

Hard Faults are when the Vehicle lowers to the bumps stops and the ride becomes hard - this is usually due to compressor failure, air bag leak, Exhaust valve problems, driver pack issues etc....

Soft Faults are when the Vehicle remains at a selected ride height and the ride is soft - this is usually down to a faulty Height Sensor, Compressor Thermal Overload, or stuck valves (as they can't open to release the pressure)...

The EASUnlock software and lead available from Datatek will allow you to read stored fault codes, clear the fault buffer, re-read any stored codes, calibrate the height sensors, manualy raise and lower the vehicle and start/stop the compressor manually also....

Get yourself a copy of RAVE land rover service factory manual RAVE download land rover resource, service manual, workshop factory manual, download, rave, vehicles including discovery, series, defender, range rover, freelander, LR3, Handbooks, Catalog, Catalogue, Land Rover Inte (its 580MB) this will have all the workshop manuals, electrical manuals, component location pictures, owners manuals and other bits and bobs for the Land Rover brand....

D/L it and grab a cuppa then sit down and read about the system, it may help you to understand it all....

EDIT: The stuff from Datatek will contain the RAVE manuals on the disc.....
 
It is very, very rarely if indeed ever, that a valve sticks in the valve block. Unless a solenoid fails or the driver pack fails to fire one. In which case they can only be stuck shut. The default for all valves excepting the diaphragm valve is shut. They can never be stuck open. These faults are usually because the ECU has had a fit, when something it thinks should have happened within a time span, has not actually happened. Usually down to low air pressure or a faulty corner sensor.
 
thanks. So the sensors are most likely culprits. Can anyone recommend a good indie in the Kingston/Surrey/South West London area?
 
thanks. So the sensors are most likely culprits. Can anyone recommend a good indie in the Kingston/Surrey/South West London area?


Jerry, once you have the lead and software, it will likely tell you which sensor is playing up. Might just be a dodgy connector, but if you need to change a sensor it's a piece of cake to DIY:)
 

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