Here is how the XJ works it's air suspension:

http://cartech101.com/?p=44

can anybody provide more links to some good articles like this one? I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the air suspension on jags since they go bad all the time where I work.

 

Thats virtually word for word the same as the JTIS but without the pics

 

One thing it says that mine does different. It says that the compressor only runs when the engine is running. If I turn my key to the on position, the front will raise up without starting the engine.

 

That is because unless the car is in sleep mode (~30 minutes after ignition off and all doors/boot closed) the air reservoir (~4.5 litres) can be used to raise the car.

The compressor is generally only used when the car is moving (>40km/h). It can be used though in certain modes if the reservoir is empty.

The modes are:

Sleep mode - as above.

Preliminary mode - either on wake up due to a door/boor opening or coming out of post or stance mode.

Post Mode - If no more activity is detected after a pre set time in Preliminary mode.

Stance Mode - This mode is used once the engine has been started but the car is travelling at less than 1 km/h

Drive Mode - The car is moving faster than 1 km/h


There is also:

Transportation mode which is used to raise the vehicle 15mm above standard height to protect the vehicle during transportation.

Speed lowering mode - Lowers the vehicle by 15mm if the vehicle maintains 160 km/h or more for more than 10 secs. Reverts back at 140 km/h after 5 secs.

Towing Mode - Inhibits speed lowering function when towing.

Rough Road detection - Inhibits speed lowering function if a rough road is detected.

Levelling inhibits - Stops suspension levelling if significant acceleration/braking or cornering is taking place.

Jacking mode and ramp - Detects when the car is being jacked up or on a hoist.

Inclination mode - Detects if the car is on an uneven surface and inhibits levelling.



The comment in the article about the rear being raised first because of the headlights is a bit suspect as the headlights have their own self leveling motors.

The reason given in the training guide is that occupants find it more comfortable if the rear is raised first.

 

How could I place or induce the suspension into transportation mode?

 

The link no longer works.

 

The bit about the rear raising first, and the front lowering first is correct. The headlamp leveling motors were deleted from the design at some point, and were only there because originally the X350 was going to come with conventional springs on the cheaper models.

That option never came to pass but a bit too late (I guess) to delete the leveling motor; I would imagine that the contractor who made the headlamps had already done a production run and it was cheaper just to leave them. Whether they ever worked I'm not sure.