Hi there,

i've got a 2003 xj8 and the front of the car has just dropped. It seems the air suspension has failed.

I've included some pics on what it looks like. Anyone else see this before? Would i need to get new air suspension replacements? or just re-fill the gas (if there is such a thing).

comments appreciated.

nick.

 

pics the correct way up....

 

Since the front has collapsed as a whole there's probably a failure of the height sensor and not an individual air shock. Any chance of having the codes read?

Guus

 

Have you actually got a fault message about the suspension ?

 

Will have to have a look at the fault code. My wife didn't mention anything.

if it is the sensor how much are they to replace (hundreds?)
as oppose to the air suspension (thousands?)

 

No air bag refills possible...sorry.


Possible compressor failure...Possible air fittings or line leaks.....generally if either the side back-end or front-end goes it will bring the entire front or rear-end down in an attempt to keep it level. My front end went all the way down when the right front air bag blew.

Without a code or two it's a crap shoot with mismarked dice trying to find the problem. In the meantime try to get a solid visual on both front shocks by jacking the car up enough to turn the wheels to where you can get a very good look at the shocks, especially around the top. Also listen for the compressor when you first turn the key to ON and check how long it runs before cycling off & how noisy it sounds.


Get a bottle of very soapy water or something thick like shampoo that you can apply to the various line fittings to see if there's an air leak and don't forget the reserve air tank in the trunk under the spare tire as there are several couplings there.


That's just a start until you can get some codes for us to work with.

 

There should be a fault message on the display panel. "Air Suspension Fault" or "Vehicle Too Low", plus the yellow fault light will illuminate, (sometimes the red one). If no fault code it indicates the system thinks everything is OK which points to the height sensor.

 

Fraser how sure are you about the absence of a code, but with a message and light, about that indicating a height sensor?

I have what is in essence a permanent suspension fault with the amber light but it never posts a code and the four corners never rise or lower even after 24 or more hours of just sitting.


I suspect either a faulty compressor, even though I used one of Andy's repair kits, or a bad right front height sensor. Could it be that the sensor needs to be recalibrated since I had to put an Arnott air shock on that corner about a year ago and soon after the light would come on occasionally and is now permanent?


I don't want to just start throwing parts at it in hopes of getting lucky since they are so damned expensive to begin with.

 

Sorry, have I written my response badly ? If you get the yellow fault light, plus a text message on the panel, there will be a fault code(s) to be read. No fault light and message, but suspension too low means the SCM thinks the suspension is OK and all heights correct, so no fault code stored. Based on previous posts, this points to the height sensor sending a wrong value.
It wasn't clear to me whether you had the fault light and message or not, can you confirm ?

The front suspension height left and right is controlled as one, using one sensor, and later cars have one of the height sensors deleted. I have no idea what happens with cars with two front height sensors, maybe one is ignored, but I don't know which one. If you displaced the height sensor when replacing an air spring unit, this seems a likely cause of the problem.

The bottom line is that you're unlikely to sort this out without the IT equipment to read the codes and to re-calibrate the ride heights.

 

The car is tringulated with height sensors wether theres 3 or 4. On 4 one is ignored as the result of a reflash done years ago. I cant even find it anymore as it been purged. The only way all 4 would still operate is if the update was never performed or any air suspension diag reflash performed.
You moe than likely have a leak in one air spring in front. Yes it does pull the whole end or side down. If you inspect the accordian bellows sometimes theyre ruptured noticably. Or you can let the car run and jack up each corner and when the shock bag rides past the oring point where it leaks you can hear the leak. Also undo the top electrical connector and tighten the 17mm nut and the 10mm air line fitting. Both of these leak. Past that you have to go to dealer or at least a indie that has ids/sdd diag equipment. A little money spent on proper diag saves a lot of money over "guessed" parts tossing

 

Nick where are you in Sydney? If you are close to Baulkham Hills I can have a look at it for you with my diagnostic system. Send me a PM or email if you like.

 

it needs a front air spring, aka strut. Just one side, both side is the same.

dealer quoted me over $3000 to get one and fit it. Where else can i get one from?

Might have to give jag UK/US a call.

 

Although you're a long way away contact Arnott in Merritt Island, Florida ( info@arnottinc.com ) for info on any dealers in Australia. They do have some one in England but I have no contact info for them.

The job is really quite simple if it's just an air shock and not a compressor or height sensor but you might need to have a dealer re-calibrate the suspension with a Jag's SDD system to get it perfect.

Even with the additional freight from the U.S. (if you have to go that way) it would still be a whole lot less than $3000 even in Australian dollars. Here's a link to their quote request for international shipping. https://www.arnottindustries.com/pro...Strut+%2D+1002


They also offer a rebuilt air shock with a lifetime warranty for a little less and you might also get a rebate for returning your blown shock. The shipping back to the U.S would probably eat that up though.

If you can handle the labor or know of a competent general auto shop that you trust you should be able to do the whole thing for under $800-1000 including labor. There are only about a half-dozen bolts plus removal of the wheel & tire and your done so labor shouldn't be more than $200-250 U.S. Add another $600 for the shock including freight and there you are.

Don't forget to tell them your a forum member as they give us a 10% discount to boot.