My '03 FF recently started to play up with the ride heights. eventually the car displayed the "suspension inactive" and the height display lights went out.

I took it (slowly) to a friendly independent who put a test box on. He told me that one of the height sensors was faulty (couldn't say which one), he told me that they sometimes seize up and I could try to free them off, he cleared the faults and reset everything. The car immediately returned to normal.

A further problem is: The mechanic told me that new sensors have different wiring to pre 2005 fittings. He didn't think it was easy to find old parts any more. So I may need to repair rather than replace when I find which is the faulty sensor.

On way home, when I was braking the display message came on again, so I assume that one of the height sensors is indeed playing up, so I want to test/repair them. I suspect that the front offside is the faulty one, as that is the corner that used to sink when the whole thing started to play up. Also I notice an occasional light "clunk" when I turn sharply right.

Any advice please on how to free up or test height sensors.

P.S. I have searched and found loads of suspension posts here, but none seemed to cover repairing or replacing the sensors No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

You will probably have trouble actually repairing a sensor, unless you are an electronics whizzkid, but replacements are freely available from LR dealers, and not too pricey. Your issue appears to be identification of which height sensor, although you seem to have a pretty good idea as to which one. Surprised the diagnostics couldn't identify which one.

Worth jacking up, wheel off and having a good look at it, giving it a wiggle, even taking it off ('tis easy, two bolts and an electrical connector). Very often the mounting rings at each end break, making it all loose. I had this with mine, I cleaned, glued and taped back together (although I wasn't getting faults). A clean up of the electrical connection wouldn't go amiss either. If this doesn't fix it, then its a new one. The fault may need resetting before all goes back to normal.

All else said, get yourself an IIDtool or AllComms to do your own diagnostics, and suspension resets. Don't know how much your indie charges, but the tools soon pay for themselves  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Height sensors are readily available at LR
From memory they are around £26 per corner and have to be reset on the computer when replace.

Do all 4 and it will last another 10 years

OK, thanks for the info. I checked the front ones first, the drivers side was very stiff, so I covered it a with coating of WD40 and wiggled it about until it seems to move freely. Did the same with the other front. The rear offside one had a broken rubber "bearing" on the bottom so I secured that with plastic ties. All reassembled but still showing "air suspension inactive" or similar.

I disconnected battery and tried a hard reset but this didn't clear the fault on the screen so I assume it will need resetting on a set box. Hope to do that tomorrow. Meanwhile I am driving it very slowly as the back is right up in the air and the front is very low. It looks like a custom rod at the moment lol

If it seems to be repaired I will do a proper repair/replacement on the rear offside and hope it will be fine for the future.

Meanwhile i will consider a diagnostic/reset tool for the future. Any suggestions for the best? No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

Well, as far as diagnostic tools go, there are cheaper ones, but not as good, or ones that do a bit more, but are way more expensive.

The best balance for me is the iid tool, by gap diagnostics who are also site sponsors,

Have a search for iid tool on here.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Just for definition a hard fault, which requires a hard reset, can only be done with a diagnostic tool. Disconnecting the battery may only deal with soft faults .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks for all the comments. Just ordered an IID tool  No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

Hi,

It is probably the rods sticking that caused the issue. Dont change the sensors unless you have to as it may change the configurated heights. If the car detects the front and rear are out of alignment when driving (due to one being replaced for example) then it will give a hard error too. Most garages will be able to reset your air suspension also. FYI I use a Bearmach Hawkeye which can reset and diagnose but you cannot reconfigure the height of each sensor if needed. You can however see the measured heights in the tool and you can also do some rough adjustments on the sensors by bending the brackets slightly using a towel (to stop damage) and mole grips.

James

Update:

IID tool arrived and I cleared all faults, including left front height sensor.

Car no longer showing suspension inactive on display, so assume my cleaning up and lubricating sensors worked.

Compressor is working fine and red height lights illuminate but car struggles to rise above normal height. I can hear a hissing from the front right of the car. I guess that either the air bag or a pipe connection is leaking. I'm away for the weekend so I hope to check for any leas when I et soe time next week. (I am not using the car in case anyone was thinking that). Maybe a suspension leak was throwing the heights out and the height sensor was a bit stiff, tricking the car to think it was the height sensor at fault?

Will post any further developments.

Mike No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto

Update 2.

Found that offside air strut was leaking. Fitted a new one (only took an hour with my mates help). Suspension fine again with smooth ride. Took car to off road heigh and discovered slight leak in nearside air strut, I knew I should have replaced the pair!

Part now on order. (at least i know it shouldn't take too long to fit) No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto