Air suspension switch pack...$400

[toddjb122]

I didn't have time to debug this one too much on my own or shop around for parts, but here's what happened. Just curious to hear feedback.

I noticed and posted here a couple months ago that my vehicle would raise when commanded but would not lower. I found this out when I raised my car up in a parking garage and then had a tense slow drive out once I realized I couldn't get it to come back down. (It does lower on it's own once you drive past the speed threshold).

I kind of figured that a drink got spilled on the center console, drained into the switch, and killed the contact. I have no way to verify this. I tried to clean it on my own by spraying some flux cleaner down in the switch but no luck. (that is a cleaner spray used on circuit boards which is non damaging and leaves no residue behind).

Took it in for scheduled service and asked them to repair/replace the switch. The answer is that the entire air suspension switch pack needs to be replaced as it is only sold as a complete pack ($400 for the part, $180 for labor). Ouch.

I'm at 117K and have had my share of components replaced under factory and extended warranty, but this is the first completely illogical part price I've had to stomach on my own.

Has anyone else had this fail?

 

[bbyer]

Double Doubles do it.

Yes, replacement of the switch pack is kind of routine after pouring a Double Double down into it, or a Slurpee if you have children.

The hardest part of replacing the switch pack is lifting the centre console. Once you have access, it is just a plug and play thing.

This link shows you how to lift the centre console - pictures and all. Watch you do not knock your teeth out when pulling upwards on the shift lever. It is a hard tug to remove the knob and lets go all at once.

http://www.box.net/shared/y90mhxmire

 

[Mack73]

And if you're going to do it yourself, you can save a couple bucks on the part

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAND-ROVER-...es&fits=Model:LR3&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a151786f7

 

[toddjb122]

Interesting link. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Trynian]

This question came up about a month ago...

You can get a brand new assembly from rover parts west for about $200.

Easy to change, pop it up, unplug, plug new one in, pop it down. About a 15 minute job.

 

[toddjb122]

LOL, oh well. I'm not sure I would know how to get the console lifted up, but now you guys have answered that here. So, the "book labor" for this is pretty ridiculous, then. I ended up getting the parts cost reduced at least.

 

[bbyer]

Switch access

LOL, oh well. I'm not sure I would know how to get the console lifted up, but now you guys have answered that here.

I assume you saw the link posted above and as below. The pdf is about the LLAMS lift system but shows how to access the switches. Let us know if the replacement switch solved the problem.

http://www.box.net/shared/y90mhxmire

 

[toddjb122]

I did see the link, but had already taken it in.

More noteworthy, though, is I had missed the whole topic of this LLAMS Height Controller switch option. That is nice! I am often frustrated on beach drives when my vehicle wants to lower constantly if I go over 25mph. I have been in deep sand where I can easily go faster, but I drag the differentials in the center between the ruts of other drivers (at normal height). Would certainly be more convenient to keep the vehicle at height when I drive off road.

 

[bbyer]

Australian developed

Some Land Rover guys in Australia invented it a couple of years ago. It seems to work quite well and is not too difficult to install; more importantly, the hookup does not seem to do anything bad to the 3's air suspension electronics. Below is a link to a discussion on the Australia LR3 site.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/114282-llams-electronic-height-controller-d3-d4-rrs.html

 

[Mack73]

One just popped up on ebay for $50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Land-Rover-...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a15d77133