Took my 2003 XKR for a drive today and I`ve got an amber warning light on the dash that says "SUSPENSION FAULT". My owners manual says this is an "adaptive damping failure...report to dealer". Anyone know what this is about and how I might clear this code to see if if comes up again? Thanks...

 

Weird... no responses to this question?

 

I know...where is everybody? Maybe I`m the only lucky one with this warning...thanks Reverend Sam for resurrecting this post!

 

It's just kinda weird because I didn't know there was anything in the suspension that was controlled electronically. Maybe the XKR is different than the XK8. I think maybe the XJ's have pneumatic suspension or something, but the XK's are just regular old springs over shocks.

 

I lack the expertise of many here but I do own an XKR. As you likely know, you have the expensive shocks that are hooked to a computer that varies the stiffness according to conditions. The code likely appeared for a reason. I would be looking at bad connections first (two wires on the top of each shock) then the shocks and then the computer. I believe there have been one or two threads on this topic in the past and a search may be helpful. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

A general google search on the topic found something about it being a relatively common problem where a wire under the seat gets pinched and frayed.

 

Thanks all...I`ll start checking those wires. It is a fault related to the adaptive damping module, which varies the ride stiffness in relation to vehicle speed. At least it doesn`t preclude driving the car...

 

I want an "R" more and more. Can you manually control the damping? Like, can you put the suspension in sport mode or touring mode?

 

You sure can.

Sport mode on an XKR is SO much more entertaining!

 

I like my xk8 convertible, but I'm going to have to get me one of those R coupes.

 

Every time I look at this pic I get an erection.

 

Down boy....! Yes there is a sport mode switch but I thought it only changed the transmission shift points. It may change the suspension damping also, I`m not sure...

 

I'm not going to ask what would happen if it were a XKR!
Brian

 

Sam, There have been numerous discussions around the options on the XKR and I understand the big differences to be these.

It goes like stink with 370 hp on my 2002. The supercharger whine is something to hear on full acceleration. More HP for the 4.2 in newer years.

The sport mode only involves the transmission by allowing first gear instead of starting out in second and then altering the shift points for higher rpm shifts based on how you then drive it.

The suspension is noticeably stiffer but still acceptable since the shocks only stiffen when required such as the two right on a left turn or the two front on rapid braking. The result is a car that seems fearless and corners very flat with no noticeable nose dive on severe braking.
It makes the handling and performance of my 2000GT Mustang a joke but then it cost over three times as much new.

Take a look at mine in my albums.

 

CPM53, RJag

You're right, I believe there is a thread on the subject about the sports mode and transmission shift points, that it doesn't affect the suspension. It just feels that way when in sports mode. Could be a psychological effect. Just driving these cars gives you a big psychological boost. When shopping for my XK I was set on buying a XK8 Looked for about a year. After test driving a XKR and experiencing the performance, I was sold and knew I would not be happy with a XK8.
Doug

 

I got lucky when I found my well maintained low mileage XKR this April. I love the seamless acceleration and the sound of that supercharger as it winds up. I absolutely love this car! I just wish my suspension fault warning light would decide to just self correct. I did have a similar situation after I got this car where the airbag warning light came on and a fuse had blown. I changed the fuse and that solved the problem. Hopefully I`ll get lucky again...thanks

 

cpm53, I hope you find the answer to the suspension fault and its as simple as a wire or connection.

ReverandSam, I feel your pain. I was an XK8 owner for a few years, but always had that nagging desire for.... more power I upgraded to and R last year and am loving it.

 

Here is some additional info from Real Tech about sport mode:

"...remember that the CATS has only 2 settings, full soft or full firm. The CATS module determines which setting to put the shocks into based on inputs from the ECM, ABS and 3 accelerometers. At a standstill the shocks are put into firm setting in preperation for acceleration. When the vehicle reaches 5mph the shocks are switched to soft and any further changes are made based on the inputs from the accelerometers."

 

Well..all is well that ends well...I pulled fuse # 2 and fuse # 4 in the trunk fuse box to check them and they were both good. I then drove the car and happily...no suspension fault warning light. I`m thinking these cars sensors are sometimes possessed by gremlins...but I`m happy that I`m back to a warning free instrument panel. Thanks for all the replies!

 

I got the amber light and "suspension fault" 2 days ago driving home. I was just cruising down the road, not abnormally bumpy, no acceleration, braking or any funny driving -- it just came on. It was raining however. Nothing felt wierd. I put the car in neutral, turned it off, then back on, and wala -- no light. I hope this was an isolated glitch.