Member Since: 18 Sep 2023
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3
Thanks for the quick response, unfortunately I don’t know where they sourced them from .. I regularly use Advanced Factors.. beginning to wish I had just taken the work on myself rather than dropping into the garage!
18th Sep 2023 3:28 pm
Outdoorjon
Member Since: 18 Sep 2023
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3
Just to close this one out, finally tracked down to a corroded wire to the near side front height sensor which caused an erratic signal.
22nd Sep 2023 8:38 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2912
Must stop buying shiny toys....
22nd Sep 2023 9:23 pm
Worms
Member Since: 24 Sep 2023
Location: Highlands
Posts: 539
Not had my '05 plate D3 a week yet and I'm here already!
Left rear wheel sitting about 30mm higher than right rear, in all settings. No suspension error codes on IID tool, so I ordered a left rear height sensor and recalibrated the heights until all was ok. Took it for a drive and got the dreaded red light on the dash and the drop to the bump stops. Strangely, the error codes that went with this indicated a right rear height sensor failure - the corner that was playing nicely when I was checking everything. No harm in replacing both, I guess.
Both rear anti-roll bar links had been replaced just before I bought the car, so it is possible that something has been damaged while trying to access the bolts.Previously:
2010 FL2 TD4e GS
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW - still got this, non-runner on SORN.
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel
28th Sep 2023 6:13 pm
gaz 63
Member Since: 18 Jan 2025
Location: somerset
Posts: 4
air suspension
hi i have a discovery 3 that keeps coming up with suspension fault i can here the compressor working i have pulled the fuse out and left for 24 hrs car does not loose air at all any ideas what it could be please it only happens while driving but car does not lower
22nd Jan 2025 9:18 am
Gnomad
Member Since: 22 Jul 2018
Location: Harbor Springs
Posts: 157
some fault codes would be helpful!
So I'll toss some of my recent observations out for what they might be worth.
How long does the compressor run? If it runs for about 10 seconds and then shuts off and throws the light, you might have a problem with the middle valve block-that's a "fills too rapidly" fault, which I have had off and on recently after replacing my compressor. In that scenario the vehicle will raise and lower but slowly.
If it runs and runs and runs, you have a failing compressor (probably) and you won't get it to raise of lower at all. I've found they seem to die a bit at a time and then all at once. Having it happen while driving makes me suspect that you are looking at a dying compressor, but most of the folks on here will tell you (and I of course agree) replacing anything without proper diagnostics is firing up the parts cannon and may or may not be the droid you are looking for.
Do you have a 4x4 information screen? It's useful to see if your wheels settle at a normal height. The red bars should line up with the green line on all four corners. If they dip under and then come back up you are at least getting some air in the system.
22nd Jan 2025 11:56 pm
RyderBoyDisco
Member Since: 13 May 2025
Location: Barnstaple, Devon
Posts: 1
Suspension Fault - Max Speed 30mph
Hi guys, new Disco 3 owner here! My name is Liam and I have recently pulled the trigger on a 2005 Discovery 3 S with the 2.7TDI auto setup. I was looking for a bit of assistance regarding a recent suspension fault that I'm battling. When starting the car I get an amber suspension fault show up on the dash and then "normal mode only" shortly after. I cannot adjust the height settings as I just get a warning bong. Driving it like this is absolutely fine, the ride is smooth and the compressor kicks in and lifts the car up absolutely fine. If I leave the car overnight, the height doesn't drop so I'm assuming this is an electrical issue. When pootling around under 40mph, the warning light stays amber and doesn't affect anything but as soon as I go over 40mph, I get a red suspension fault warning with "Suspension fault Max Speed 30mph" and the car lowers itself onto it's bump stops. If I turn the car off and on again then the fault disappears and the car returns to normal height. I know it's recently had 4 new ride height sensors so I took it to have the suspension calibrated and all fault codes cleared. That did not work, as soon as I go over 40mph, the warning comes back and it drops back down. I've had a little look at all the sensors at it appears that the o/s/f ride height sensor has bare wires where the previous owner has connected two wires (very poorly) and I'm wondering if that is messing with the sensor? If I strip back the wiring, solder it and protect it properly, do you think that will fix my issue or are there bigger issues afoot? I would buy 4 new ride height sensors but they are have already been replaced so I'm not too sure other than the wiring? I drove it for 25 minutes earlier below 40mph and I had absolutely no issues so I don't quite know what's causing it and any help would be very much appreciated! I don't own a scanner tool just yet as I just forked out £600 for the sills to be welded so cash is a little short at the mo! Many thanks in advance for any replies!
13th May 2025 6:51 pm
Gnomad
Member Since: 22 Jul 2018
Location: Harbor Springs
Posts: 157
I would suggest you start looking at the ABS sensors and wiring . If one of your sensors isn't working you can get similar symptoms, given that you've already replaced thr usual suspects.
Just the same, trouble codes are essential for diagnosis. It's all guesswork without it.
14th May 2025 3:07 am
Worms
Member Since: 24 Sep 2023
Location: Highlands
Posts: 539
RyderBoy, welcome to the clan!
The Amber at start-up and no ability to alter height (but compressor still working and car running smoothly) is standard for the wiring fault behind the front left wheel, which provides the feed-back info for the pressure sensor at the compressor. I've been running with this for a year now and must get round to stripping it all down and sorting the wiring while we have better weather. Plenty of threads on this fault, such as this one, which has good pics and diagrams: https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/suspension-...78846.html
The red light and dropping to bump stops over 40mph is not part of the above, so I suspect you may have two separate problems. Fault codes are a must, I'm afraid!Previously:
2010 FL2 TD4e GS
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW - still got this, non-runner on SORN.
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel
14th May 2025 7:28 am
LRJules
Member Since: 02 Jun 2025
Location: Burgundy
Posts: 1
Hello everyone,
I'm very happy to have found this forum, as it's quite difficult to find precise answers about the Discovery on French websites... So thank you in advance for your advice!
I've recently become the proud owner of a 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S with a manual transmission. I'm really enjoying driving it, but the inevitable suspension issue is spoiling the fun.
Here’s my problem, and I’ll try to describe it as clearly as possible.
The car rises quite quickly, and I don’t think the compressor is faulty — the vehicle works perfectly fine on short trips. However, after around 25 minutes, it displays a suspension fault. The car lowers itself and won’t rise again afterwards. If I turn the engine off and back on, I can raise the car again. I can still maintain driving speed even when the suspension fault occurs.
When the car is parked, I’ve noticed that the front right suspension doesn’t hold air. The right side of the car and specially the front right hand corner is completely lowered within two hours. Yet I replaced both front suspensions just a month ago to ensure there were no leaks in the shock absorbers.
So, off course i suspect there's a leak somewhere in the air system, but I don't understand how the car can lower itself only at the front right side with a brand new shock. I considered the front valve block, but from what I understand, it supplies both front wheels — so if it were faulty, wouldn’t both front wheels drop?
The mechanic thinks it might be the central valve block, located at the compressor outlet, but I don’t quite see the direct link to the front right wheel.
Do you have any idea where the problem could be coming from?
Note that the suspensions were replaced by a specialized garage.
Thanks so much in advance — and apologies for any language mistakes!
Greetings from France 🇫🇷
3rd Jun 2025 12:38 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4643
Front valve block, located behind the wheel arch liner (front) Right side of the the car. That would be a good place to start. Might need a seal kit.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
3rd Jun 2025 9:19 am
pielad
Member Since: 05 Jun 2025
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6
Discovery 3 Front Air Suspension Creep (Normal Height Only)
Hi everyone,
I'm hoping someone might have experienced similar issues with their Discovery 3's air suspension, as I'm a bit stumped after some extensive troubleshooting.
The Problem:
Front suspension creeps lower when ignition is off at normal ride height. It doesn't creep at all when at 4x4 (off-road) height or access height – it holds perfectly.
I get a "Suspension Fault" message when driving.
Constant pressure spikes: While monitoring live data with a Maxisys, I noticed that the front suspension dips slightly when driving at normal height. The gallery pressure then shoots up to lift it again, and this cycle repeats constantly until the C1130-66 fault (Air spring supply - Algorithm-based failure) triggers.
What I've Tried & Observed:
Valve Block Rebuild: I rebuilt the front air suspension valve block using a new O-ring kit, but the issue persists exactly as before.
Fuse 26 Test: I removed fuse 26, and the front suspension did not creep at all when the ignition was off. This suggests the air springs themselves are holding pressure when completely isolated from the system.
Height-Specific Creep: The most puzzling aspect is why the creep only occurs at normal ride height and not at the extreme heights. This makes me wonder if the valves within the block are in different states or engaging different internal pathways at various heights, and a specific leak path is only open/significant at normal height.
My Questions:
Has anyone else encountered this exact scenario where the front creeps only at normal height, but holds perfectly at 4x4 or access height?
Given that a valve block O-ring rebuild didn't fix it, could this still be an internal valve block issue (e.g., worn valve seats, internal cracks, or faulty solenoids within the block)?
Does the C1130-66 fault, combined with the constant pressure increases, strongly point to the front valve block as the culprit?
Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
12th Jun 2025 10:46 am
AustinJMJ
Member Since: 21 Nov 2024
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 173
Good morning pielad,
Hope you're well. Thank you for sharing your issue.
I reckon someone may have first hand experience with this, I too am quite confused by the failure mode of the suspension only leaking pressure in regular height mode.
With Fuse 26 removed, and in normal height - does it still lower? If not, I think there would be a sensor fault and the car is incorrectly "self levelling"
If yes, then non-genuine valve blocks can be a fith of the price of their branded counterparts, and could be worth testing with.
You would be more than welcome to make your own thread too, should this issue continue to unfold and evolve into a larger matter.All the best,
Austin
12th Jun 2025 11:06 am
pielad
Member Since: 05 Jun 2025
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6
Hi, thanks for the reply.
No nothing works when the fues is out and alo the Maxisys doesnt see anything (all live data is blank etc)
What sensors do you suggest swapping out, and yes I have seen very cheap valves on eBay may give them ago.
It is driving me potty ha, I got the car not long ago off a good friend, its one owner and main dealer full history, I got it to only poull my caravan didnt realise its a full time job owning a disco!
New to forums, so not sure how to create a new thread.
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