I loved my AHC, seems it died for that reason

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C

chrisxg

10 Year
Joined
Jun 10, 2011
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2
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17
I recently acquired an LX470, with a list of things to do to it. After my first trip wheeling with it replacing the AHC came off the list. It was amazing the difference between it and the Wrangler on rocky trails. The ride on the road pretty amazing too.

Monday the off light started flashing at me and after some frustrating searches it seems that this may be the pump? I was fairly certain the accumulators were fine and one of the first things I did was change the fluid that I was certain had never been changed (115k) I was going to start pricing this out. Tonight the truck settled into low position and there it sits, probably because I had already put bigger tires on her...

So for those of those who have been around the AHC longer, is it done? Is it time to completely replace it with a new AHC or to pull it out and go with something different? Any recommendations? I do intend to add front and rear bumpers and don't want to hurt my towing capacity any as a boat is in my near future. I do put on a lot of hwy miles as well and like to be comfortable when I do, though the new tires have already put a damper on that and maybe on the AHC as well.
 
With the bumpers, maybe AHC isn't the way to go. I've PM'd you already regarding the AHC stuff but I believe the bumpers add another couple hundred pounds when loaded up (maybe more, others can comment). But the AHC system will only hold 1,200 total (including the driver, cargo, bumpers, etc). A few peeps riding in the LX after you do bumpers "could" put you near the limit of weight.
 
After bumpers and 12,000lb winch my AHC would lose height at night or when parked for long periods...not a lot but when started it would readjust...sometimes it would readjust after a quick stop when all weight shifted forward. So I tore out my AHC and replaced with Ironman suspension BEFORE it failed on me completely and stayed in the LOW position...... No regrets.
 
Bad sensor will also cause that. If a sensor goes bad then AHC loses track of where it is and either locks in N or can drop to L.

I found that if you disassemble and clean/bend the little wiper arms inside the sensor (for better contact) they will go for at least another few months.

Could be the pump though. Mine has been fine so far but IIRC you can replace just the pump relatively inexpensively (couple hundred) vs the pump assembly (2k). Dealer always wants to replace the whole kit of course.

See if you can determine what code it is setting and PM agaisin also for ideas.

I like the AHC as well and have resolved to keep it operational. If i ever armor up i'll just get heavier springs to compensate.

J
 
At this point I am going to guess a sensor. I got in it today and everything was functioning as normal. Will eyeball the sensors and see if there is anything obvious.

Can autozone read code on this?
 
Now this is interesting... I got in some mud today, locked the center diff. As soon as I did the off light started flashing again o.O
 
I don't think Autozone can read the AHC codes because they come from the other ECU not the main harness.
 
If you locked it into 4low, maybe that did it, the LX will stay in high mode then.
 
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Was in 4wheel hi, normal on the height, as soon as I pushed the button the off light started flashing again.
 
Seems like it would be the pump to me. I think in 4lo the AHC system couldn't get itself into the proper N or H position. So, it shut down.
 
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