2002 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY warning

REAR SUSPENSION
64-12 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Description - SLS
General
The Self Levelling Suspension (SLS) system is an optional fitment and comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU),
air supply unit, two air springs and two height sensors. The SLS system only operates on the rear suspension and is
designed to keep the vehicle level to compensate for uneven loads or when towing. The system controls the gap
between the chassis and the rear axle to a tolerance of
± 0.5 mm (0.02 in). The ride height of the rear of the vehicle
can be controlled in three modes of operation; normal ride height, Off-Road Mode (ORM) and extended mode. A
transportation mode, initiated using TestBook, is also available for moving the vehicle on a trailer.
The system is controlled electronically by an ECU which is shared with the ABS system and known as the Self
Levelling and Anti-Lock Braking System (SLABS) ECU. The system operates by using an air supply unit to inflate or
deflate the air springs to maintain a constant ride height.
An accessory remote handset is available to remotely operate the SLS system to allow easier connection and
disconnection of trailers.
Two SLS system warning lamps are located in the instrument pack. The warning lamp in the bottom left corner of the
instrument pack is the SLS warning lamp. If a fault is detected in the system, the warning lamp will illuminate
continuously in an amber colour. The warning lamp also flashes in an amber colour when the remote handset is being
used. The second warning lamp, located in the top right of the instrument pack is the ORM warning lamp. When ORM
is selected the warning lamp is continuously illuminated in an amber colour. When the SLS is between standard ride
height and ORM or in extended mode, the warning lamp will flash. Standard ride height, measured between the tip of
the axle bump stop rubber and the axle, is 61.5 mm (2.42 in). ORM ride height, measured between the tip of axle
bump stop and the axle, is 100 mm (3.93 in).
A switch is located in the group of six switches on the fascia and is used to select the ORM. The switch is non-latching
and must be depressed for a minimum of 0.5 seconds to signal the ECU that ORM has been requested.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-18 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The ECU supplies a 5 V current to each of the height sensors. Each height sensor uses the current to supply an
analogue input to the ECU. The ECU can calculate from the input received from each height sensor the height of the
vehicle and can then power the air supply unit as necessary to raise or lower one or both air springs to level the
vehicle.
When SLS compressor operation is required, the ECU provides a battery supply to energise the SLS relay located in
the engine compartment fusebox. When the relay contacts close, a 12 V supply passes through fusible link 9 in the
engine compartment fusebox, through the relay contacts and operates the air supply unit compressor. The ECU will
then supply power to operate one or both air control valve solenoids and/or the exhaust valve solenoid to inflate or
deflate the air springs as required. The compressor does not need to be powered to deflate the air springs.
The ECU also controls the operation of the SLS audible warning, the SLS warning lamp and the ORM warning lamp.
When the ignition is switched to position II, the ECU performs a three second bulb check and illuminates the SLS and
ORM warning lamps in the instrument pack to check for operation. When the system is operating or a fault is sensed
by the ECU, the ECU will operate the appropriate warning lamp and audible warning as required. The audible warning
is operated by the Body Control Unit (BCU) when it receives a signal from the SLABS ECU. The audible warning is
emitted from a speaker at the rear of the instrument pack.
Depressing the ORM switch for a minimum of 0.5 seconds, completes an earth which the ECU uses as a signal to
initiate the ORM if conditions allow. When the ECU starts ORM, the same earth that was completed by the ORM
switch is pulled to earth by the ECU to activate the ORM warning lamp. The ECU checks for a further operation of the
ORM switch by continuously and very quickly removing the earth for the ORM warning lamp. If the ORM switch is
operated for more than 0.5 seconds, the ECU will detect this and de-activate the ORM.
The SLS part of the SLABS ECU also uses the road speed data generated within the SLABS ECU by the ABS system.
Operation of ORM and extended mode are road speed sensitive and use the ABS signal to monitor the vehicle speed.
When the accessory remote handset is used for the SLS lower and raise functions, the handset transmits RF signals
which are received by the same RF receiver used for the alarm/remote door locking system. The RF receiver passes
this data as a 25 Hz PWM signal to the BCU. The BCU then transmits this data to the SLABS ECU as raise or lower
data. TestBook is required to program the BCU for remote handset operation.
SLABS ECU connector pin details
Connector/Pin No. Description Input/Output
C0504
1 Battery supply Input
2 Ignition supply Input
5 K line (diagnostics) Input/Output
12 EarthInput
C0654
1 Left height sensor supply Output
2 Left height sensor earth Input
3 Left height sensor signal Input
4 Right height sensor supply Output

REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-19
Failure modes
Failures are indicated by the SLS warning lamp in the bottom left corner of the instrument pack illuminating
continuously in an amber colour. The following tables show the type of system failures and their effects on the system
operation.
Height sensors
Door Switch Inputs
SLS off-road mode switch
Air supply unit air control valves
Air supply unit compressor
5 Right height sensor earth Input
6 Right height sensor signal Input
C0655
1 Driver's door switch Input
2 Passenger and tail door switches Input
3 Left air valve Output
4 Right air valve Output
5 Exhaust valve Output
6 Air compressor (SLS relay) Output
7 Audible warning Output
8 SLS warning lamp Output
11 ORM switch/ORM warning lamp Input/Output
12 Remote handset raise/lower signal Input
Connectors and pins not listed are either not used or used by the brakes system.

+ BRAKES, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Failure Effect
Sensor output stuck at 5 V Vehicle will not level
Sensor output stuck at 0 V Vehicle will not level
Mechanical link between radius arm and sensor broken Vehicle will not level
Failure Effect
Harness leads for open doors are are broken or shorted to
V Batt.Air suspension levels when one or more doors are open
Harness leads to door(s) shorted to earth Air suspension will not level
Failure Effect
Fault in wiring harness Off-road mode cannot be selected
Failure of off-road mode switch Off-road mode is activated when switch has not been
selected
Failure Effect
Valves open or short circuit Vehicle does not level or levels unevenly
Failure Effect
Faulty relay, harness fault or compressor fault Vehicle does not level upwards

REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-21
Normal ride height
When the vehicle is stationary, a door is open and the ignition is off, the SLS system will allow the rear of the vehicle
to lower to within 20 mm of the normal ride height as load is removed from the vehicle. The SLS system will only
operate the compressor to raise the rear of the vehicle when the engine is running, unless requested using the remote
handset.
Off-road mode (ORM)
ORM is used to raise the rear of the vehicle from normal ride height to the ORM ride height of 100 mm between the
tip of the bump stop and the axle.
ORM is activated by depressing the ORM switch located on the fascia for not less than 0.5 seconds. With the engine
running, all doors closed and the vehicle speed below 18 mph (30 km/h), the audible warning will sound once and the
ORM warning lamp in the instrument pack will start to flash when the switch is released. The compressor will be
started and the air control valves will be energised by the ECU to inflate the air springs and raise the rear of the vehicle.
When the full ORM height is reached, the ECU will terminate compressor operation and close the air valves. The ORM
warning lamp will stop flashing and remain continuously illuminated to inform the driver that the SLS system is in ORM.
When ORM is no longer required, depressing the ORM switch for not less than 0.5 seconds with all doors closed will
lower the SLS to normal ride height. The audible warning will sound once and the ORM warning lamp will flash as the
suspension lowers. The ECU energises the air control valves and the exhaust valve to release air pressure from the
air springs. When standard ride height is reached the ORM warning lamp will extinguish and the ECU will de-energise
the air control valves and the exhaust valve solenoids.
If the SLS is in ORM and the vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h), the ECU will lower the SLS to standard ride
height. The driver will be informed of this by an audible warning and the ORM warning lamp flashing as the suspension
lowers. When normal ride height is achieved, the ORM warning lamp will extinguish.
At sea level, the time to change the SLS from normal ride height to ORM or visa versa will take between 15 and 20
seconds.
If the ECU determines that conditions are not correct for SLS operation, i.e.; axle articulation or system fault, the
audible warning will sound three times to inform the driver that the ORM request has not been granted.
Extended mode
The extended mode is automatically operated by the ECU and requires no input from the driver. Extended mode
operates when the chassis is grounded causing the rear wheels to spin. This information is generated by the ABS
function of the SLABS ECU.
When the ECU senses that the chassis is grounded and the vehicle speed is less than 6 mph (10 km/h), the ECU will
operate the compressor and energise the air control valves for 25 seconds to raise the rear of the vehicle. This
operates irrespective of the mode that the SLS system is in at that time. To inform the driver, the ORM warning lamp
will flash continuously at all times that the system is in extended mode.
The driver can exit the extended mode by depressing the ORM switch for not less than 0.5 seconds or by exceeding
8 mph (13 km/h).
Remote handset SLS control
The remote handset is an accessory item which allows the SLS to be operated between normal ride height and bump
stop height to allow easier connection and disconnection of trailers. The remote handset is similar in appearance to
that of the remote door locking handset but does not have an integral key. A circular button with an arrow is used to
raise the SLS and an oval button with the 'Land Rover' logo is used to lower the SLS.
The remote handset control requires all doors to be closed and the ignition to be in position II, but the engine does
not need to be running.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-22 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Pressing the lower button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to energise the exhaust valve
and air control valves. The SLS will lower up to 60 mm (2.36 in) below normal ride height if the button is held. If the
button is released the SLS will stop at that point.
Pressing the raise button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to start the compressor and
energise the exhaust valve and air control valves. The SLS will raise to normal ride height if the button is held. If the
button is released the SLS will stop at that point.
When raising or lowering the SLS using the remote handset, the SLS warning lamp will flash and the audible warning
will sound when the system is operating. When the SLS is fully lowered the warning lamp will stay illuminated. The
SLS will reset to normal ride height if the vehicle speed exceeds 3 mph (5 km/h) for 10 seconds when the SLS is
lowered.
Transportation mode
Transportation mode must be used when the vehicle is transported on a trailer and secured by the chassis. The
transportation mode can only be enabled and disabled with TestBook.
The transportation mode lowers the rear suspension onto the bump stops with the engine not running. When the
suspension is in transportation mode, the SLS warning lamp is continuously illuminated when the ignition is in position
II.
When the engine is started in transportation mode, the SLS system will raise the rear suspension until a gap of 25
mm (1 in.) exists between the bump stop and the axle. The SLS warning lamp will flash continuously while the SLS
system is raising the suspension. When the gap between the bump stop and the axle is achieved, the warning lamp
will illuminate continuously.
When TestBook is used to disable the transportation mode, the rear suspension will raise to normal ride height when
the engine is running.

REAR SUSPENSION
REPAIRS 64-25
REPAIRS
Wheel hub
$% 64.15.01
Models with SLS:
WARNING: Ensure the air suspension system is
made safe before commencing work. Otherwise
the chassis may lower onto the bump stops
during repair.
Remove
1.Raise rear of vehicle.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
2.Remove road wheel.
3.Release stake in drive shaft nut.
4.With an assistant depressing the brake pedal,
remove and discard drive shaft nut.
5.Remove rear brake disc.

+ BRAKES, REPAIRS, Brake disc -
rear.6.Disconnect ABS sensor multiplug.
7.Release harness from brake hose and hose
bracket.
8.Remove 4 bolts securing wheel hub to axle.
9.Release and remove wheel hub and drive shaft
assembly from axle. Remove and discard 'O'
ring from wheel hub.

REAR SUSPENSION
REPAIRS 64-27
Road spring - rear
$% 64.20.01
Remove
1.Raise rear of vehicle.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
2.Support vehicle under chassis.
3.Remove road wheel.
4.Support weight of axle on a jack.
5.Remove bolt securing damper to axle.
WARNING: Make sure the axle cannot move
when the damper is disconnected. The
damper limits the downward movement of
the axle. If the axle is not restrained,
disconnecting the damper will allow
unrestricted movement which may cause
personal injury or damage to equipment.
6.Remove clip securing brake pipe to bracket. 7.Release ABS sensor lead from bracket.
8.Lower axle on jack and remove spring.
Refit
1.Ensure spring seats are clean.
2.Fit spring with close coil uppermost.
3.Ensure spring is correctly located on spring
seats and raise axle. Fit and tighten bolt
securing damper to axle to 124 Nm (91 lbf.ft).
4.Fit clip to secure brake pipe to bracket.
5.Fit ABS sensor lead to bracket.
6.Fit road wheel and tighten nuts to 140 Nm (103
lbf.ft).
7.Remove stand(s) and lower vehicle.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-28 REPAIRS
Air spring - SLS
$% 64.21.01
Remove
1.Using TestBook, depressurise SLS air system.
After depressurisation, approximately 1 bar
(15 lbf.in
2) air pressure remains in the
system.
2.Raise rear of vehicle and support under
chassis.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
3.Remove road wheel.
4.Remove 2 clips securing air spring to chassis.
5.Collapse air spring and disconnect pipe from
top of air spring.
CAUTION: Always fit plugs to open
connections to prevent contamination.
6.Rotate air spring, to unlock from axle and
remove from vehicle.
7.Remove connector from pipe.Refit
1.Clean mating faces of air spring, axle and
chassis.
2.Fit pipe connector to air spring.
3.Locate air spring on axle and rotate 90
° to fully
engage bayonet fitting.
4.Connect pipe to top of air spring.
5.Engage top locating pins of air spring in chassis
and secure with clips.
6.Fit road wheel and tighten nuts to 140 Nm (103
lbf.ft).
7.Remove stand(s) and lower vehicle.