2012 L322 4.4TDV8 Westminster

Strange fault this evening, 10 miles into my journey and the car dash shows a 'suspension fault max 30 mph' warning. Suspension drops onto the bump stops within a mile. I stopped and looked around the car which was looking like a low-rider at this point.

I tried to raise the suspension to off-road height, but nothing happened.

I noticed the rear N/S tyre was totally flat with a rock having torn a hole in it. Attempted to re-inflate but air was leaving just as quickly as it was entering.

Recovery truck turns up an hour later, and I started the car and drove it onto the flat bed truck. Once on the truck, I noticed the suspension was at normal height. Back home, the car height had not dropped, and I drove the car off and raised the suspension to off road height with no issue. No suspension warning on dash any more.

Any ideas?

Sounds like the air suspension compressor located under spare tire. Fairly easy to replace but if you search the site, there are some parts on the compressor that wear out and can be replaced without replacing the entire unit.

As always, start with getting the codes read and interpreted by a specialist who knows these motors.
Where are you located so we can recommend a place? Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Hi all,

Strangely I've had the same issue with my '07 VSE this week except it didn't lower the suspension. If I switch the car off and leave it for a few minutes it all comes back to life and suspension raises and lowers as normal so I assume the compressor is ok. It was replaced not too long ago so it should still be fine. I ignored the 30mph warning and the car seemed to drive ok apart from the fact that it shouted the warning at me 31 times in a 12 mile journey! Yes, I was sad enough to count!

Will have a chat with my local independent chaps tomorrow and see what they suggest. Yet another bill I suppose, shame really as I only had the transfer box rebuilt 2 weeks ago! Fatty, your days are numbered.

Ed.

Ed
Try drilling a hole through the sintered exhaust filter.... Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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As some have said, 1st you need to get your fault codes read.

If it's fine now I wonder if the sudden puncture upset the suspension sensors?


Rob. 2011 (MY12) 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
2016 Golf GTI PP

Gone
Audi A4
VW Passat
VW Corrado G60
VW Golf GTI
BMW E30
Mini
Vauxhall Chvette

Firstly, apologies to stoutgoose for hijacking the thread!

Thanks DrRob, I've had another look around on here after your suggestion and that looks like a potentially easy fix, even by my standards. I didn't realise it was such a common problem. Will definitely give that a try at some point this week before I ask for help.

No worries Dave, not.

So, all tyres replaced with a new set of winters (the previous Pirellis had covered 42,000 so owed me nothing).

I have now covered over 200 miles on city and motorway routes with no further issues, and consequently I guess that the flat tyre threw the height sensor into confusion causing it to go tilt. The shoulders of the flat tyre suggest that it had failed some time time before, but I couldn't feel a thing (unbelievably I am generally mechanically adept and sympathetic to changes in the way the car feels, so this indicates how good the Range Rover suspension is).

The compressor was replaced by LR under warranty four years ago and has been faultless.

Fault codes not read, but will be if this comes back. I am near Woking.

Thanks for the replies.