After Coil-over Conversion, Will The Compressor Run?
 

Happy new year to everyone,
First off I must apologize if it seems like I am flogging a dead horse, but I have looked through a lot of posts and different threads on here and can't find the answer I am looking for.
So, I am about to do the conversion to Coil-over from air. I am going with Strutmasters, I have the by pass module and all the springs.
My Questions are,
Will the Air compressor come on after the conversion?
Do I need to remove any fuses and or Relays to stop that? If so which ones?


I am sure this has been answered before but I just could not find the answers.
I thank you so much in advance for taking the time to answer me.
Cheers,
Knobby.

Hi Knobby,

I've done the conversion on a few X350s with the Arnott kit and their Electronic Bypass Module (EBM). I assume the Strutmasters bypass module is similar. When you do the coil conversion you disconnect all four electrical connectors from the Air Suspension Control Module (ASM), so it can no longer power the compressor to run.

If the Strutmasters system works differently and the ASM remains connected, you could pull Relay 1 (R1) in the Front Power Distribution Fuse Box in the front right corner of the engine bay - that's the relay for the compressor. The only challenge you might then face might be the triggering of a fault code.

Hopefully the Strutmasters system will take care of everything for you. Please let us know.

Cheers,

Don

Knobby,
. There is a computer for the CATS system behind the rear seat. You have to remove the bench first, then pull the back cushion forward. This will expose the CATS computer in the middle. Unplug it and you won't get any codes or faults. I did this on my XJR when i converted to coilovers. No issues til this day. Let me know how it works out

Hi jazzyjags,

You don't mention the model year of your car, but reportedly disconnecting the ASM only works on '04-'07 X350s that have not received a certain software update. On cars that have had the software update and on '08 and later cars, the CAN network recognizes that the ASM is not communicating and triggers a fault. That is why Arnott had to develop their Electronic Bypass Module, and apparently Strutmasters have developed their own version. See this post from Doug at Arnott:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...3/#post1376905

On the X350s the ECATS module is built into the Air Suspension Control Module (ASM), which is mounted behind the rear seat back on the right hand side (passenger's/off side in LHD cars, driver's/near side in RHD cars).

Cheers,

Don

Don,
You're right. I totally forgot that only works for certain models. I have an 05 xjr. Newer models needed the module like you mentioned.

​​​​​​​Knobby, my apologies. I hope you didn't rip your back seat out for no reason.

Hi Don and Jazzyjags,
Thanks for your views. I have not started this project yet, this is the fun for the week end.
However, The Strutmasters kit does come with an EBM but in their instructions you only unplug the first connection (Carrying the 12v supply). You splice into several of the wires in that one connection.
Am I right in thinking that it is the ASM that sends a signal to run the compressor and therefore taking the power from that will stop the compressor from running?
I will eventually take out most of the Air Components but for now I want to leave them just in case.
Cheers,
Knobby.

Check with Strutmasters to be sure, but I think you're right to think the compressor should not run if the power supply to the ASM is disconnected.

Cheers,

Don

Update,
So I installed the Struttmasters conversion kit this weekend. Overall it wasn't to bad although the drivers side on both the front and back were very difficult taking me over 3 hours on each one but the passenger side on both the front and back took only about 25 mins each.
I took it for a long drive Sunday afternoon and was very impressed on how it turned out. The Jag seems very planted and there is no roll that I noticed going through tight corners at speed. I would very strongly recommend this product to any one thinking of doing the conversion.
I will be glad to do a write up on the whole experience and what tips if anybody wants to know.
Have a great one,
Knobby.

Knobby
Glad it went well.
I would really like to have the write up & tips.
I'm planning to do this in the not too distance future.
Thxs!

Hi Vmaxie,
Where are you in Florida ?
Are you going to be doing this on the floor or on a lift? I did it on the floor with a floor jack.
I followed the Arnott video on how to do this which you can find on their website which is very informative, it can be found under the Manuals section.
I will also give you a tool list as far as I can remember if this helps?
I also recommend that you have another person who you can rope in to help you as some parts really do need another set of hands.
I will do the write up in the next day or so.
Cheers,
Knobby.

As an aside Knobby - were your strutmasters actually eibach springs and bilstein shocks? or generic looking?

Hi Rosskuhns,
I didn't see any writing on them saying they were Bilstein but to be totally honest with you I wasn't really looking at them that close I just wanted to get them fitted.
The only thing I noticed was that the Springs were red and the shocks were black, Haha not a great deal of help I know..
Sorry about that,
Knobby.

On the Strutmasters website it says that they use only Eibach springs not sure about the shocks.
I just spoke to Strutmasters and they said that they were indeed Bilstein shocks.

I know mine doesn't run, but I removed the compressor, tank, valve block, sensors, and module completely.