Why Your Jaguar’s Self-Leveling Suspension May Fail and How to Fix It

Jaguars are famous for their good ride quality and one of the key factors that contribute to this is the self-levelling suspension system. This sophisticated feature assists your car to achieve the correct height and stability especially while carrying loads or on bumpy terrains. However, if the suspension begins to sag, become too rigid or fail to move up and down as it should, it is most probable that the self-leveling system is failing. If you ignore all these signs in your Jaguar, you might end up with poor handling on the road which may put your safety at risk.

Why Jaguar’s Self-Leveling Suspension Fails

• Air Suspension Leaks: The majority of Jaguars that have self-leveling suspension systems employ air springs as opposed to coil springs. These air springs can degrade and may start leaking, causing a loss of pressure that makes the suspension sag. Most of the time, the leaks can be found in the rubber air bags or the air lines that are used to connect the rubber air bags to the compressor. If your Jaguar is lower than usual and it has been parked for some time then the cause could be a leaking air spring.
• Worn-Out Air Compressor: The suspension system is responsible for controlling the height of the car by compressing air in the air compressor. If it becomes weak or fails to work, the suspension will not be able to lift the car properly. A failing compressor may make unusual hissing or clicking sounds, take more time to adjust the ride height, or cause the “Suspension Fault” light to come on.
• Electrical or Software Issues: Jaguar’s self-leveling suspension is managed by an electronic control module which can have problems with the software or the wiring. Electrical problems may cause the suspension to make random height changes, not respond when changing height settings or even shut down the suspension, leaving the car at an inconvenient height.
• Height Sensors Failure: Height sensors are used to monitor and control the suspension in order to provide the right height for a balanced ride. If these sensors were to fail, the system may go to the extreme and make one side of the car higher or lower than the other. Some of the signs of faulty height sensors include variations in ride height, suspension warning lamps, and rough suspension movements such as sudden drop and stiffer suspension.

How to Repair a Failing Jaguar Self-Leveling Suspension

• Replace Damaged Air Springs: If the suspension is sagging due to a leak, then the air spring has to be repaired or replaced. Smaller punctures can be repaired, but it is better to set up a new air spring to prevent problems in the future.
• Electrical Problems: A mechanic should be able to identify electrical problems in the suspension system by checking wiring connections, fuses and control modules. Software upgrade or reprogramming may also be required in some cases.
• Fix or Replace the Air Compressor: A compressor may be repaired if it is worn out or damaged, or it may need to be replaced if the damage is extensive. If your compressor has been working harder than usual because of leaks, then it will be more advisable to get the leaks rectified before replacing the compressor.
• Replace Faulty Height Sensors: It is important to change height sensors if they are malfunctioning or if they are providing wrong information to the system. A technician can also fine tune the system after adding new sensors.
• Replace Worn-Out Control Arms and Bushings: If your Jaguar still feels unstable even after the air suspension has been fixed, then control arm and bushing replacements will help in rectifying this.

We Can Help You With Quality And Affordable Jaguar Suspension Repairs

At Schearer’s Sales and Service, Inc., we deal with Jaguar suspension and can easily identify and sort out any problems with your self-leveling system. Our mechanics have been particularly trained to deal with air suspension systems, height sensors, and the electronic control system to make your Jaguar as smooth and luxurious as it should be. We are dedicated to providing the best service to Jaguar owners in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Macungie, PA. If you have seen suspension warning lights or one side of your Jaguar is lower or higher than the other, then do not wait for it to get worse. Call us today to book an appointment and we will have your Jaguar suspension in the best condition as it was when you first bought it.