It truly is rare to get as highly regarded a vehicle as the Range Rover in the automotive industry. The British luxury SUV that is fit for a princess has a reputation that is unequaled for performance and luxury.
However, Range Rover air suspension problems are so aggravating for owners that they transform such an action-packed vehicle into a boring and unsafe ride. These issues include faulty airbags, height sensor malfunctioning, valve block problems, etc., which can cost a lot of money to fix or replace.
So, before you visit the Range Rover dealership to have your air suspension system fixed, continue reading this article to find out why so numerous Range Rovers require a repair to their suspension. By following these steps and fixing your vehicle, you can decrease the cost of your repair work.
Read also: Exploring the Benefits of Improved Ride Quality
How to Tell Your Range Rover Has Air Suspension Issues
Your Range Rover has an onboard air suspension warning light. A critical suspension malfunction will cause the light to blink with warning messages.
However, it only shows up when the frequent wear, tear, or other damages have reached such severity that you are in danger. So, the most practical way to pick Range Rover air suspension problems is by keeping an eye open for some evident signs.
This will help you to identify major suspension issues even without being warned by the suspension fault warning light. Here are some of the common signs of Range Rover air suspension problems:
Corner Sagging
Have you observed your Range Rover being slanted towards the left or right when you left it in your garage overnight? This is among the most typical signs of air suspension issues in your Range Rover. In this case, the air compressor might be malfunctioning and not circulating air through the suspension system.
Commonly, your car will tilt as a result of your airbags not filling on top of one or the other due to a leak in your air suspension system or compressor not working together properly. This is not only unattractive to look at, but it also leads to rough and unbalanced rides on the freeway, which affects your comfort and grip.
Loud Roaring Noises and Crackles
Are you hearing boisterous noises as you travel? These may be something like grinding, squealing, whining, and any other obnoxious sounds that pull your focus to the garage. Such disturbing sounds probably indicate that the air compressor fan of your suspension system is malfunctioning.
Again, your best course of action in this circumstance may be to have an “all-clear” air suspension diagnosis and replacement as needed.
Uncomfortable and Rough Riding
If a major air suspension component or the entire system fails, your Range Rover may experience malfunctioning in how it interacts with road surfaces when you drive.
This concession may cause your car to vibrate irregularly, making it extremely difficult for you to steer. When attempting to decelerate, your car may bottom out, and it may lean badly when you need to turn. In addition, you’ll notice increased rolling when you’re trying to stop.
Air Compressor Runs Too Long
If your air compressor is constantly running, be certain that you take a look at your air suspension system. It may be a sign that there is an issue with the compressor.
In other instances, it may stem from your air springs blowing out a small leak, which speedily leads to your compressor burning out. Either way, it’s a problem you must fix before it becomes so extensive that you have to replace the whole suspension system.
Causes of Range Rover Air Suspension Failure
So, what causes Range Rover air suspension failure? The air suspension system consists of numerous parts that can contribute to problems throughout the entire system. These causes can be as follows:
Wear and Tear Over Time
The foremost reason for Range Rover’s problem with air suspension is wear and tear. This is because the airbags in the system wear down over time. This wear and tear will affect the rest of the air shock components, such as the pump, pressure regulators, and valves.
In addition, when the airbags are broken, the system will not be able to maintain safe pneumatic pressure or maintain suspension height, which will result in vehicle sagging.
Excessive Towing
Air suspension failure is often caused by towing too much or overloading your vehicle. Your Range Rover is a superb towing automobile, but you must continue to be cautious when towing.
To avoid weight stack-ups that could compromise your Range Rover s air suspension system, it is recommended that you always drive in strict accordance with the limitations set by the manufacturer.
If you surpass it, the airbag setup, which is a vital part of the air suspension system, might rupture and cause the Range Rover to crash. The explosive decompression of airbags inside the automobile can cause changes in the automobile frame that, when combined, may lead to a rollover accident.
Ignoring Suspension Fault Warning Light
Even though many warning lights alert drivers to the need for air suspension repair, we often tend to ignore them. This is among the main reasons for air suspension failure.
When individual air suspension components, such as electronic parts, pressure regulators, or pumps, stop working, the onboard computer alerts the driver and suggests that immediate attention is warranted.
Ignoring these alerts will undoubtedly result in widespread failure, as one failed item will eventually affect the other, resulting in the entire air suspension system ceasing to work.
Common Range Rover Air Suspension Problems
In 1995, Range Rover unveiled the air suspension standard on their models. This system uses onboard software to control and compress air springs based on the car’s speed and road conditions.
If a problem with the air suspension occurs, it may be due to an issue with any of the major components. Some of the most common problems are discussed below:
Damaged Air Bag
Air leaks are a common problem with Range Rovers. When the airbag ages, it can rupture and send frayed material throughout the cabin, or it can spontaneously trigger due to punctures made by the sharp edge of a colliding automobile.
Furthermore, the climate may be a leading aspect or the rubber portions are broken down as a result of general negligence like cleaning under the arches when the vehicle was off-road. Airbag deflates quickly, so leaks happen at 100,000 miles (160,934.4 km) or after six years in most weather conditions.
Malfunctioning Height Sensor
Your Range Rover is likely to experience an issue with some of its air suspension sensors, particularly the height sensor. This sensor rises by all four corners alongside the airbags and is designed to gauge the height of the vehicle.
Like most other suspension components, this sensor can be damaged severely because of exposure to extreme weather conditions or continuous off-roading on rough terrains.
In case, the height sensor starts malfunctioning or becomes damaged, your vehicle won’t be at the proper level. Sometimes, the wiring between the height sensor and other components can be damaged. If this happens, you may find your Range Rover is stuck to a constant height or leaning one way.
Faulty Air Compressor and Relays
Air compressors typically fail after a prolonged period of use. Failure to notify the user can result in an empty system, which will generate a warning. Another key reason can be a general problem with the relay that controls the compressor.
Defective Electronic Control System
There could be an electrical wiring obstruction accountable for the damage. We would advise you to take the whole unit to a repair service. A technician will do an extensive diagnostic test to diagnose the problem. This can help you to identify the cause of the issues.
Valve block Failure
This is one of the most expensive components of your air suspension system. It’s prone to leakage or may cease functioning partially, causing loss of control over individual air springs.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Range Rover Air Suspension Issues
Dealers might suggest replacing air suspension components you currently have yourselves as they come with the assumption that replacing damaged components helps to preserve your air ride.
Harvesting this recommendation for the air suspension to work as you should is exactly what you should do, though repairing air suspension failure is always not a matter of whether you will do it but how.
Unless you are a great perfectionist, it is unlikely that you are going to entirely repair the damage to your air suspension. So you will likely suffer from something to do with the vehicle’s suspension until you decide to repair it.
However, if you’re enough confident to do it yourself, here is a DIY repair process mentioned below:
Troubleshooting Air Suspension Issues in Range Rover
- The first step is to determine how many fuses control the air system and remove these fuses. Removing these fuses will disable all calibration throughout the nighttime and provide you with better accuracy in pinpointing the faulty component.
- Find the lid of the fuse box, and then turn to the back side of the fuse box and find the F26E ride height fuse. Completely remove that fuse (this turns off power to the suspension control computer to stop the block valves from opening electrically).
- Then calculate the ride height of all four wheels by measuring from the center cap to the bottom edge of the wheel fender.
- As you create a diagram of a substance to help you remember, don’t forget to note the measurements of each component of your vehicle. Verify that the tire pressures of all of your vehicles are the same to achieve the most accurate reading of each wheel.
- It is recommended that you take your vehicle off the level ground for 24 hours before making the measurement.
- After that, determine the lowest magnitudes of all 4 wheels once again. Raise the inch that has lost the greatest level of internal pressure. Yes, this is most likely due to your faulty strut.
Resetting Range Rover Air Suspension
If you notice a suspension warning light on your dashboard, the following procedure will help you reset the air suspension in your Range Rover. Follow the steps:
- If the air suspension problem is just from a malfunctioning sensor or an alternation of components due to a major repair, fixing the issue is quick and straightforward.
- To correct this, get in your vehicle and turn the engine on, then ensure that you firmly set the emergency brake and that the car is stopped.
- To compensate for it, you must turn the steering wheel in one smooth direction until it locks, typically three to four turns. Then you have to take it in the other smooth direction, continuing until it locks, six turns total. Check the dashboard whether the warning light is gone.
- If this workout doesn’t remove the purple indicator from the instrument cluster display, you’ll need to check out where your air suspension is not working. To do this, walk to one corner of your Range Rover and press down on the rear bumper.
- Then, watch as it begins rising again and repeats for each corner. You must seek advice from your owner’s dealership if you see that the air suspension system broke down and seek to get it replaced by a specialist.
Watch this:
Final Words
Every Range Rover suspension design is a cut above a layperson. Supreme engineering ensures that even in the most rugged terrain the suspensions reliably perform over many years and extremely reliably.
If you encounter Range Rover air suspension problems, it is possible to repair them yourself. However, if you’re unable to devote yourself to the task, go for the uninterrupted service your dealership will provide.
By examining the problem by yourself, you can fix many faults and lower the cost of your air suspension repairs. Often, forbidden parts are all that’s needed for the repair work to be completed. Among the most costly troubles is a serious insufficient damping of the car.
