Lexus LS460 Air Ride Service (2007-2012)

Lexus LS460 Air Ride Service (2007-2012)

While the 2007-'12 Lexus LS460 is neither one of the best selling nor most problematic air suspensions of all time, it is probably one of the most difficult systems to diagnose. If you are not familiar with the system operation, you can throw a lot of parts at it without achieving any results.

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While the 2007-’12 Lexus LS460 is neither one of the best selling nor most problematic air suspensions of all time, it is probably one of the most difficult systems to diagnose. If you are not familiar with the system operation, you can throw a lot of parts at it without achieving any results.

What makes this optional system unique is the lack of a reservoir and the actuators on top of the struts used to adjust valving. The air ride system is tied into the active dampening system. The system optimizes the spring rates of the bladders and the compression/rebound settings of the dampeners. It does this very quickly and can react to bumps and body movement. The driver can select sport, comfort and normal modes. The driver can also select the high and normal modes for the air suspension. In normal mode, the ride height is optimized for the road surface and vehicle speed.

If you are jacking up the vehicle, Lexus recommends that the engine is off so the system will not attempt to trim the suspension. If the vehicle must be raised with its engine running, connect terminals 11 and 4 of the OBDII connector to stop the vehicle height control operation of the suspension control ECU.

0-adjust-shocksDiagnostics

To diagnose any Lexus air ride system, it is advisable to have a scan tool that can not only communicate with the Suspension Control ECU, but also bidirectionally control the modules, actuators and valves. Not having an enhanced scan tool with these functions can severely handicap any air ride repair. It is also required to calibrate the ride height sensors.

0-can-bus-1Sensors

The system uses four ride height sensors. It also uses acceleration sensors to measure body movement. These sensors are mounted under the instrument cluster and in the trunk on the passenger’s side. These sensors measure how the road surface is causing the body to move. Other inputs from the ECU, Body ECU and other modules on the CAN bus are used by the Suspension Control ECU.

Through the four ride height control sensors, the Suspension Control ECU detects changes in the vehicle height that result from the number of occupants or the amount of the load. Then, the Suspension Control ECU controls the height control solenoid valves, the compressor and motor with the dryer to automatically adjust the vehicle height to a constant level.

0-air-linesDiagnosing these sensors is straightforward and typically requires only a scope and meter. The ride height sensors have three wires for ground power and signal. These are Hall effect sensors. The accelerometers can be tested by checking the signal voltage and tilting the sensor, but the best way to test these sensors in a non-invasive manner is to observe their outputs through a scan tool.

Topology

The Suspension Control ECU operates on the CAN bus. The height and acceleration sensors are directly connected to the Suspension Control ECU. The controls for the compressor and the fill and exhaust valves are located on the control side. The system is also directly connected to the actuators that control the dampeners.

Inspecting and Testing the Dampeners

Motors that control the valving inside the unit are located on top of the struts. These units are prone to damage if they are abused or the hood is shut with an object on top. You can remove the actuators from the strut and observe movement in the motor when the modes are changed from the driver’s seat.

It is possible to manually change the actuator setting on top of the struts by grabbing onto the bar inside the shaft. There are five settings. The setting changes for every 30 degrees of rotation. Compress the strut to see if the amount of force changes after making an adjustment.

Air Compressor and Bladders

A compressor behind the front bumper supplies the compressed air. There are two lines for the front struts on the compressor. One line goes to the rear and connects to a combination valve that contains the valves for the rear bladders. The Lexus system does not use a reservoir to trim the suspension.

Calibration and Adjustment

One of the more difficult tasks on the LS460’s air suspension is adjusting the ride height after installing parts. Trying to adjust the linkages will not work. The only way to adjust the height is by using a scan tool and inputting the ride height measurements.

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