Air Suspension failure

[MURPHYBEAR]

Hi Everybody

I have an RX300 SEL from 2003 mark 2. I have had it since August 2014. Within the last week I realised that the air suspension isn't working. I can't hear the pump running and it feels like a bone shaker.

The  Panel light shows the suspension in the normal setting . The light in the up setting comes on but not the light in the down setting.

I  am assuming that the pump has either failed or the fuse has blown or there is an air leak and the car computer has shut down the system for safety.

I am unable to read any error codes. What is my best course of action?

Hoping you can help.

Murphybear

[PCM]

If it was me ... and assuming you have no warranty to call on... being non-technical...

I'd call in at my local, friendly Lexus/Toyota specialist. Get them to diagnose it perhaps?

( Do you mean no error codes, or no means to read them? )

[lloyd_1972]

No updates on this issue?

 

[MURPHYBEAR]

Hello Everyone

Haven't got much further . I had a look this morning and if I turn off the switch at the bottom of the dash I get " OFF" come up in the display . So the system thinks the air suspension is working. How can you tell if the 60 amp Air Sus fuse has blown? Can you tell from the top of the fuse? How do you get it out ? Where is the suspension air compressor sited? I assume it is at the rear of the car because when it was working it sounded as though it was behind me. I don't have ramps or a pit so I can't get underneath. The car sits level and looks normal in that the tyres are not obscured by the body i.e. It hasn't sunk down.

Where can you get a new fuse from? Not Halfords - they don't keep them. Does the car shut down the compressor if it doesn't detect an output. Does any error message appear on the satnav screen? How can you access the error codes? I understand you can press buttons on the nav screen to show error codes - which buttons and when?

I could go on and on. Any help would be useful and we'll all benefit.

Murphybear

[ChrisKaye]

Hi Murphy,

No codes at all on Nav Screen.

Unsure about fuses/relays - not a known problem so little info.

Compressor is behind rear left wheel as you look from back of the car under trim panels to left of spare wheel.

The air compressor will be disabled for 3 drive cycles (3 ignition on/off, engine warm up and x miles driven) if it detects the compressor runs continuously for 30 seconds and the height sensors don't report the vehicle has adjusted as required by the the system and is temporarily disabled with the exact symptoms you describe.

After the 3 drive cycles have completed, the compressor is re-enabled to see if the fault has gone, if it runs over 30 secs again the whole cycle repeats with it being temporarily disabled!

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[ChrisKaye]

Usually it is either a few pin holes in an airbag on one of the struts or a failed height sensor.

I think boxbrownie did a post on checking height sensors, so would try this first. (Search the forum for boxbrownie).

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[PCM]

2 hours ago, ChrisKaye said:

 

Usually it is either a few pin holes in an airbag on one of the struts or a failed height sensor.

 

I think boxbrownie did a post on checking height sensors, so would try this first. (Search the forum for boxbrownie).

 

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It was certainly a pin hole issue on mine ...

[MURPHYBEAR]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for getting involved Chris. I took the car to the garage today and left rear sensor came up in fault codes also rear sensors and also abs: all 4 wheels and the abs pump so I'm wondering has water got in somewhere? 

I take the point about possible pinholes in the airbag and the 3 cycles will help. It is booked in for next week and I'll post again then.

Best Wishes

Murphybear

[ChrisKaye]

If a dealer resets the codes and cycles turns ignition off and then starts the car, this should reactivate the compressor - if you hear it kick in, then is not likely to be faulty.

If all abs sensors have a code and had live faults then VSC and TRAC lights would be on the dash. I think they are red herrings!

Although, there was an issue i saw when researching before buying the RX that a handful of cars had corroded connectors due to water ingress on the ABS loom plug somewhere under the bonnet which may be an avenue to explore.

Hopefully the height sensor might need a good clean out and possibly a little inventive fabrication on any corroded metal parts like the threaded push rod to get it working again, they are hideously expensive and not a complicated electronic part!

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[PCM]

On 9/7/2016 at 11:57 PM, MURPHYBEAR said:

Hi Everyone

Thanks for getting involved Chris. I took the car to the garage today and left rear sensor came up in fault codes also rear sensors and also abs: all 4 wheels and the abs pump so I'm wondering has water got in somewhere? 

I take the point about possible pinholes in the airbag and the 3 cycles will help. It is booked in for next week and I'll post again then.

Best Wishes

Murphybear

Let us know how you get on...

BEST wishes,

Piers.

[PCM]

A useful link on air suspension?

Link

 

[MURPHYBEAR]

Hello Everyone

I am sad because I've been advised to scrap the car. Both front suspension legs will need replacing as the swivels have collapsed.

The water radiator has a leak and has had since I got it. The left rear suspension has sized solid and will need to be dismantled to even find the problem. The car is turning into a money pit and it is best to stop before it gets silly. 

So I bought a newer Lexus RX 300!!

This is a 2006 car registered just before the road tax went up. It has done 80000 miles.

So I'd like to sell my 2003 car for parts or as a project car for someone. It is an SE-L . It has done 135951 miles . It is 8r6 blue paint code and coffee and cream inside.

If no interest I will sell it for scrap or on eBay or gumtree ( same thing ). I expect to be told off for advertising a car in this forum but I thought I'd give the members first refusal.

Thanks for all your kind messages. I notice that parts don't seem to be available in the forum only on eBay.

Murphybear

[ChrisKaye]

If only I had the room for *another* car!!! Thanks for the thought to other owners MurphyBear and sorry for the bad news on your RX!

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[PCM]

I hope you get great happiness from your new car!

( Odd your old car 'changed' so significantly(?) in just 2 years.)

Happy driving!