Hi, new to these beauties, (X350 XJ8, 4.2 Sport 05 model) I either want head fixing or a match!
Car has been off the road for a few months. Went to the garage to get a screen washer motor fixed, happily back and then went to fill her up.
On the way back Suspension fault light came on (had compressor renewed 1,000 mile ago and this had gone away) followed shortly afterwards by Vehicle Too Low notice and the car driving like it was on corrugated iron.
Got it home, switched off and on again - compressor sounded but nothing happened, rear dropped completely, front still up. That was last Thursday night, now Tuesday.
Been away, got home, car still dropped at the rear and front a little lower.
Had great ideas when away - rear struts! I took all out of the boot, disconnected the ns strut feed pipe, sealed it up and switched on - nothing! Compressor working for a few minutes, then off.
Took the seal off the strut pipe, switched on, no air coming from the pipe. Can't hear any leaks, did not want to check by removing any pipes from the valve block in case I upset anything.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Brian

 

I ordered (unused for spares) a compressor repair kit from bagpipingandy.
Jaguar XJ6 XJ8 XJR X350 Wabco Air Suspension Compressor Pump Seal Repair Kit | eBay

There may be other "clone" repair kits, but bagpipingandy is the original.
(search the name on this forum)

 

I may be completely wrong.
From what you discribing it can be that solenoid for rear shocks is not opening. It can be that voltage is not coming to solenoid. You should be able to check it with multimeter, this not to going to upset anything, or faulty solenoid, in old times I was able to check solenoids with a screwdriver: if solenoid activated magnetic field of coil would pull screwdriver.
In the age of computers this may be not that simple.
You may have already check those obvious things.

 

"Disconnected the ns strut feed pipe..." I'm not sure what that means. Disconnected at the top if the strut? Disconnected at the valve body? What did you hope to see happen with the pipe disconnected?

If you don't have a tool that can ready the Air Suspension Module codes, you're just guessing and hoping with whatever you do. Also, be aware that once you see a fault on the dashboard, the Air Suspension Module gives up and will not retry anything until the car has been shut off and restarted.

If the Air Suspension Module doesn't see expected behavior after running the compressor for a couple of minutes, it gives up and shows a message on the dashboard. What it fails to see, you have know way of knowing without reading the codes. It might be failing to build pressure in the reservoir, it might be failing to see and expected height change, you just don't know without a code reader.

Also be aware that moisture is the absolute enemy of the system. The compressor includes a dryer section, a chamber full of desiccant beads, but that dryer is not serviceable without removing and disassembling the compressor, which to me is mind-blowingly shortsighted, but not unique to Jaguar. ALL of the cars out there with air suspension components use a similar compressor, with internal dryer. Water in the system will rust valves and solenoids and cause complete operational failures in them. There is no way to remove any water that gets into the system. No way at all!

 

Thanks guys,
I disconnected the air feed pipe on the top of the ns rear strut expecting that when I started the car I would feel a rush of air - but nothing.
The compressor was changed less than 500 miles ago.
I am handy but not too mechanically handy on new stuff.
I am surprised that both rear units dropped very quickly, I would have thought that if a strut failed only one side would drop.
I will be in touch with a local guy and hope that he has the abilities needed.

 

These air suspension's are often fine after four new units.
Along with a new or rebuilt air compressor.
Not that bad a job, if the lower front shock bolts, break loose.

 

I have just put a second hand valve block on. Does the car have to be moved for the suspension to rise or should it do so after being turned on?

To add insult to injury door mirror broke off when the waste bin fell against it!!!

 

Moving it a short distance depending on how much air needs to be replenished. May need to start, let the compressor run till it kicks off. Wait a minute and crank again allowing the compressor to start. Then drive a short distance.

 

thankyou, will give it a go.

 

Ooh, door mirror. These are pricy on these cars, if as, like mine, they are electrochromic and mirror the automatic dimming of the interior mirror.

(I tried really hard to find another term describing the behavior other than "mirror," but I couldn't. No pun intended, but it works! )

 

Thanks for the reflection. Yes a second hand for a x308 about £40, for the X350 £300.

So glad I wanted something to enjoy in my retirement!