Range Rover won’t lower when shutting off the engine

If your Range Rover is not lowering when you shut off the engine, it could be due to issues with the air suspension system or electronic controls. It’s essential to have the vehicle inspected by a Range Rover technician to diagnose and address the problem and prevent potential damage or safety issues.

Recently, I faced the same problem when the Range Rover suspension didn’t lower when I shut off the engine. It was a blatant reminder that while Range Rover may have a lot of admirable qualities, it also showcases some annoying problems.

Read on for the signs and symptoms, possible causes, tools and parts you would need to fix it, and more.

What models are affected?

• Land Rover Defender
• Range Rover Discovery
• Range Rover Evoque
• Range Rover Sport
• Range Rover Velar
• Range Rover Vogue

Signs and symptoms

First, let’s examine the signs and symptoms of the problem we’re addressing.

When you park your Range Rover and switch off the engine, your car’s suspension should lower automatically.

If this feature is not working, sometimes you’d notice that the vehicle might remain at its current ride height, which can be an inch or two above the ground.

In other instances, it may completely drop to the ground, indicating that the entire air suspension system has failed.

In rare cases, only one corner may remain at the original ride height level while the rest of the car’s suspension is properly lowered.

These issues can also present some error codes that need to be checked for further diagnosis.

List of possible OBD codes

When your Range Rover is not lowering as expected after shutting off the engine, there are some OBD codes that might be relevant:

• C1130 – Air suspension compressor relay
• C1A20 – Pressure does not decrease when venting the gallery.
• C1A13 – Pressure does not decrease when venting the system.
• C1A22 – Valve block locked up.
• C1A1364 – Pressure does not decrease when venting the tank.
• U0416 – Invalid data received from vehicle dynamics control module.

It is not uncommon to see these codes when diagnosing a Range Rover that won’t lower when shut off the engine.

Buying guide: Best Land Rover OBD2 scanner tools

Common causes

Now let’s look at some of the most common causes of the issue. Please note that while some of these may require some diagnostics from a professional, others can be handled without much assistance.

1. Leaking air suspension bags or compressor

The rubber bags that hold air in your car’s air suspension may develop cracks and fail to keep the air adequately.

When this happens, the suspension won’t lower, and the vehicle may sit high off the ground.

Similarly, the compressor may also start to fail and not provide adequate pressure to the bags.

2. Clogged or failed valve block

The valve block in a Range Rover is responsible for controlling the air suspension’s air supply.

When this component starts to fail or gets blocked with debris, your car’s suspension may not be able to lower properly.

3. Faulty height sensors

The height sensors in a Range Rover are responsible for measuring the height of the vehicle and sending the necessary information to the control module.

When these sensors become faulty, they may send inaccurate information resulting in the suspension’s inability to lower to the appropriate level.

4. Damaged control module

In rare cases, the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is responsible for managing the air suspension may get damaged, causing the suspension not to lower after shutting off the engine.

Can it be fixed without a mechanic?

Whether or not you can fix the issue yourself depends on the cause of the problem.

If it’s just a matter of a blown fuse, you can quickly resolve the issue yourself.

However, suppose the problem is something more serious.

In that case, you may need professional assistance, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined or don’t have the right tools and equipment.

Parts you’ll need to fix it

Before you start working on fixing the problem of your Range Rover not lowering when shut off, there are some parts you’ll most likely need to purchase:

• Air suspension bags (if leaking or damaged)
• Compressor (if leaking or damaged)
• Valve block (if clogged or damaged)
• Height sensors (if damaged)
• Control module (if damaged)

Tools you’ll need to fix it

In addition to the necessary parts, some tools are required to carry out air suspension work.

Here are some of the essential tools you would need to fix the issue:

• OBD2 Code Reader
• Jack Stands
• Lug Wrench
• Floor Jack
• Socket and Ratchet Set
• Torque Wrench
• Spring Compressors
• Air Compressor

How to fix it

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you fix the issue of your Range Rover suspension not lowering when turned off.

1. Conduct an overall inspection of the vehicle’s suspension system, including checking for any visible leaks and damaged components, and checking error codes with an OBD2 reader.
2. Raise the vehicle using a lift and locate the air suspension compressor.
3. Remove the compressor and inspect it for damage or leaks.
4. Inspect air suspension bags for any signs of wear and leaks, and replace as needed.
5. Check the valve block for any clogs or damage and replace as needed.
6. Inspect and replace height sensors if any are found to be faulty.
7. Get your wheel alignment checked and corrected if not up to par.
8. Once you have repaired or replaced any faulty parts, clear any errors with an OBD2 reader.
9. Conduct a test drive, and park the vehicle in the correct location.

Potential Alternative Causes

While the above-described issues are some of the most common causes of a Range Rover suspension not lowering when shut off, there are a few other possible causes that may occur.

These include:

• Battery issues
• Failed door latches
• Ignition switch issues

FAQs

Summary

If you’ve been wondering why your Range Rover won’t lower when shut off, you now have a better understanding of the issue’s possible causes and how to fix it.

This guide should help you troubleshoot many of the common problems leading to Range Rovers not lowering, but it’s important to remember that some issues may require professional attention.

By conducting a comprehensive inspection of your vehicle and following our step-by-step guide, you could resolve the issue yourself or have the information you need when discussing the issue with your mechanic.