While air suspension in a Land Rover is a great way to get a comfortable ride, it can be pretty bad when something goes wrong with the system. The very common thing for 2007-2010 Land Rover vehicles with air suspension is to see this message on the dash: "Suspension Fault, Normal Height Only".
Suspension fault, normal heigh only message highlights
- Common reasons:air lines leaking, compressor valves leaking
- How to fix:good inspection and professional repair only
- Possible consequences:the car may eventually fall to the minimal ride height
- Priority level:High
- Can you drive?Carefully
- DIY repair:Impossible
- Repair price range:$300-$2,500
Common reasons for the warning
Interestingly, in the majority of Land Rovers that I've seen with this problem, the issue is intermittent. It will appear like 7 times out of 10. The code in the control units is usually C1A20 which reads "Pressure increases too slow when filling reservoir".
Obviously, if pressure increases too slow, you have one of these two kinds of problems:
1) The compressor is faulty
When getting old, air-suspension compressors tend to be shabby. They have so many parts that can go wrong that the majority of mechanics will not even try to repair them. The compressor is pretty expensive and this is what makes things worse.
In Land Rovers, there are two kinds of air-suspension compressors that are prone to this issue: Hitachi and AMK.
If you have the Hitachi compressor, you can have it repaired. The hardest thing is to find the mechanic who will agree to do that. There are even YouTube tutorials that will allow you to do this on your own but I can only recommend this to a person with very good technical skills. Fortunately, parts for compressor repair are more or less affordable and easily accessible online.
If your Land Rover has the AMK compressor, you have no other choice but to buy the new one. Unfortunately, this will be one of the most expensive repairs.
2) Air leaks in the system
If there is a tiny leak, the same code may appear in the control units of your vehicle and you will see the "Suspension Fault, Normal Height Only" message on the dash. The leaks are pretty common but not all leaks will trigger exactly this message.
If the leak is serious, the suspension will just fall to its minimum height and there will be another code in the ECU when you plug in the OBD2 scanner. But if the leak is tiny, chances are you can get the message we are talking about today.
Checking for leaks in the air suspension is pretty hard. You may use soapy water to try and locate the leak on all struts, air lines, and the compressor. If you are lucky enough to find it, almost any independent shop can easily fix this for you.
The myth about the desiccant tank blockage
The Hitachi compressor in Land Rover vehicles has a desiccant canister with some amount of desiccant agent in it. It's used to dry the air that comes into the system. Someone launched a myth that this desiccant canister may get clogged and that the desiccant agent itself needs regular replacement.
Well, this can happen in very old and high-mileage cars or if the vehicle is used in extreme weather conditions. But before the desiccant is blocked, the compressor will most likely die. So, if you have the Hitachi compressor, just have it rebuilt or buy the used one (better refurbished). They don't even need to be coded.
If you have the AMK compressor, there is no changeable desiccant, and buying the used compressor is not wise at all. Your only option is the new compressor if the original one is found guilty in the error message.
However, the O-ring that seals the drier to the compressor is very often faulty. If you find the leak there, just replace the O-ring which will cost you about $15-20 and you will be glad to avoid spending several thousand dollars on compressor replacement.
Final thoughts
The problem with the "Suspension Fault, Normal Height Only" in your Land Rover requires very accurate inspection. I strongly recommend you try and find the problem on your own. Get the soapy water and find that leak. Because if you go to a repair shop, they may just tell you to replace the compressor without even inspecting the issue properly.
Very often, it's just some O-ring or valve that may be replaced. Though, it's only true for Hitachi compressors while the AMK ones really need replacement.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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