Air Suspension won't lower after car has been lifted.

[anaw]

The XK is tucked up for the winter and I have bought a 2007 XJ Sovereign. I have had it raised up for four days to remove sub-frame rust and treat the metal with Dinitrol. She is now back on her four wheels but the suspension is fully raised.

I know that older models had a switch incorporated but there is no mention of one anywhere in the book. Have I done something wrong, and if so can I undo it ?

With thanks - Tony.

[J44EAG]

Check the two knuckle arm sensors fitted to the front drop arms. I`ve had one get knocked off and the car got stuck fully down. A cable tie strapped the sensor back onto the arm as the clip was broken. That done, the car came back up again.

On the basis of that, do check to see you don`t have a sensor that might also have become mis-placed. Try that as a starter.

Mike K

[anaw]

Many thanks Mike, the sensors seemed ok and so I bit the bullet and drove her, after an initial hard ride she sorted herself out.
Thanks again - Tony.

[J44EAG]

Before now, I`ve also had one jacked up air spring. I let the air out on the air strut connector, down went the strut, I drove the car, the compressor cut in and the electronics sorted things out! Air can also be let out on the compressor connector which is located behind the bumper under the NS dip beam headlight. Access is by taking off the bumper or more easily by removing the NS front road wheel and dropping the wheel arch splash guard.

I`ve also rebuilt the compressor before the piston ring gave out and caused bore wear. One of Bagpiping Andy`s replacement ring kits was fitted and the system became more reliable. Over-night, the car had a tendency to drop. With Andy`s kit fitted, the car now stays right during periods of idleness. You can find the compressor overhaul kits on eBay. These are NOT OE parts but ones Andy makes specially himself. The ring is made from a longer lasting material than OE. OE rings are not available from Jaguar or any other source. Reconditioning of the compressor with an "Andy kit" for around £25 is certainly cheaper than a new compressor for something like £300. He also makes kits for Audi, Range Rover and Merc models fitted with air springs. I wrote an article for the magazine sometime back about the procedure. I also wrote a thread on the suspension section of this 350 section with images of the stripping and rebuild.

Mike

[anaw]

What a mine of useful information the JEC forums are, very many thanks once again.
Next task, sort out the EPB ! - Tony

[J44EAG]

I recall that again I wrote a mag article on the X350 EPB system and how to tackle it. Have a look at the past magazine facility on this site. The article was published within the last two and a half years. I`ve written so many now that it is hard to recall what was published and when!

Also look at our "Brakes" section because I think I documented the procedure there as well.

I`ve done most of the typical common jobs on S-type and X350 over the last fourteen years. Again, most aspects appear in the relevant model section on this site and are usually illustrated to make procedures clearer.

Mike

[SwedishViking]

Hi,

Just to add to possible explanations/solutions, the car is designed to detect when it is being jacked (including all 4 wheels on a lift) and will try to adjust the suspension but will recognize that it is not responding as normal and suspend its function. The Suspension will re-activate and return to normal when driven faster than 2 mile/h.

All as per the technical documentation and this appears to fit with Tony's experience above.

Best regards Robert