After a few months of trying to ignore the inevitable, it finally happened. My front near-side suspension airbag gave up the ghost in Doncaster, of all places. We managed to limp home via a specialist to pick up a replacement (yes, I know, but the other side will have to wait 'til next month - funds and all that).

I'd already done my research on here and thanks to Joe90's magnificent 'how to' I now have a newly fitted strut and airbag, without the need for any swearing or angle grinder.

I need a bit of advice though. There are no lights on at all re the suspension controls and the dreaded 'air suspension inactive' won't go away. Am I right in thinking that I need someone to clear the fault before the compressor will start up again? If so, is it unwise to drive the half a mile to the village garage to have this done, as there is no air in the new bag.

I guess I'm just looking for a yea or nay from one of the more experienced members on here re my question, so if you can advise, please do.
Big thanks once more for Joe90 and all the other regular contributors who make owning a FullFat a little more tolerable sometimes!
Chris

Yes, sounds like a reset is needed to clear the fault and restart the EAS.

Not the best idea to drive on a new airbag with no air in it. Can the garage bring their diagnostic tool to you? .
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

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Hi Chris, I don't recommend driving or even lowering the weight of the car on to the empty bag,i, the WM ( on here in Wiki) says to re inflate bags before lowering etc, not sure exactly why not as its only like riding on the bump stop... I guess .... Maybe it's to make sure the bag rolls correctly around the strut. Best of luck, for the future, keep an eye on eBay for an EAS tool, they sometimes come up?? Or invest in a new one, they are v handy

Thanks chaps - I thought I'd read somewhere about not lowering the car until there was air in the bag so it's still on axle stands. I shall go and ask the local mechanic if he will do a home visit (and sweeten the deal by booking SWMBO's car in for an MOT).
Fingers crossed!

Chris

Success! Thanks to a home visit from the local garage owner. I love my perfectly horizontal fullfat once more.

what did the mechanic do Chris. ... - .- -.




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He came out to plug in his Snap On Solus thingy to clear the suspension fault (all lights were off and the annoying message was shouting at me from the dash). As soon as he had done so the suspension lights returned, compressor fired up and the new airbag inflated. All is good now. And he charged me £20 which I thought was well worth paying.

worth £20 me thinks...good to know that clearing the faults sorted it.. ... - .- -.




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Very satisfying when it all comes back to life and rises to normal height  .
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