Gx 470 Height Issues

[Maelstrom]

I've seen a lot of posts with height control issues, but I'm not sure I've seen one with my combination of problems. I have two different problems that trade back and forth.

Sometimes, height control is just not functional at all and the instrument cluster flashes "Off".

Other times though, it comes back on...which is worse. It only goes up and never goes down. If I hit Low, nothing happens. If I return it to Normal, it goes up higher. If I go to High, it goes up higher. If I go down to Normal or Low, there is no change. I tried the Low/High/Drive reset, which used to work, but it just went higher and higher. It gets to the point that it's so high it's undrivable. I took it to an import shop last night and the only way they could get it drivable was to manually bleed the air out, turn the car on, let it start to inflate again, and pull the fuse when the height returned to normal.

Has anybody had a similar set of issues? Was it the height sensor or something else? Does anybody have the part numbers and service manual excerpts you used to fix it? I'd like to fix it myself if I can, but I don't want to spend money replacing the wrong parts.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[suprasalad]

I had the exact same problem last night. Rear end was stuck in high. What a rough ride. When put in neutral I could hear the compressor running even though it was already jacked right up. I tried lowering it but the air would not release. Weird stuff. My mechanic thinks it is a sensor so we will find out Monday. Let me know what you find out and we can exchange solutions.

[chrisvr6]

100% sensors. had the same issue. easy fix, expeeeensive parts.

[Maelstrom]

100% sensors. had the same issue. easy fix, expeeeensive parts.

Do you have the part numbers? Where did you buy them?

[chrisvr6]

100% sensors. had the same issue. easy fix, expeeeensive parts.

Do you have the part numbers? Where did you buy them?

[chrisvr6]

The dealer changed mine out. If you have to pay out of pocket, its not worth it. They will go out again. People replace the air bags with springs. Much cheaper and no more headaches.

[kingnba6]

the sensors are bound to fail. go back to old school and get some springs in there

or do like something to bypass the sensors so you can manually adjust the amount of air in the air bags.

[chrisvr6]

Get a strutmasters conversion kit made for gx470.

[Maelstrom]

Get a strutmasters conversion kit made for gx470.

Thanks, I just ordered one.

[Maelstrom]

I just got around to installing it last weekend. Anybody know how (or if you can) turn off the blinking "off" in the instrument cluster? Thanks!

[No Excuses]

Maelstrom,

I'm having the exact same problem w/ my GX470 right now. My height control sensors are malfunctioning and the rear-end suspension is inflated to the max. It looks ridiculous and is a very rough ride. I"m considering switching over to a Non-Air Suspension Kit via StrutMasters. Is this what you did? If so, how do you like it and who did you have perform the work?

I was just at the lexus dealer and was told it would be $1450 to have the sensors replaced. The Strutmasters conversion kit is under $400. Of course Lexus and Toyota will not install aftermarket parts, so I'll need to find someone who will.

Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Brandon

[Maelstrom]

Maelstrom,

I'm having the exact same problem w/ my GX470 right now. My height control sensors are malfunctioning and the rear-end suspension is inflated to the max. It looks ridiculous and is a very rough ride. I"m considering switching over to a Non-Air Suspension Kit via StrutMasters. Is this what you did? If so, how do you like it and who did you have perform the work?

I was just at the lexus dealer and was told it would be $1450 to have the sensors replaced. The Strutmasters conversion kit is under $400. Of course Lexus and Toyota will not install aftermarket parts, so I'll need to find someone who will.

Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Brandon

I did switch to the StrutMasters coil spring. The ride is a bit different, but I don't think it's bad at all. Definitely better then the ride when the air suspension freaks out and sets itself to monster truck mode.

As for the install, I did it myself. It can't be too hard because I'm no mechanical genius. Parts of it were a real pain though. The top nut on the shocks were crazy rusted in place and I ended just cutting them off with a reciprocating saw. The spring perches are a pain to install because there isn't enough room to get your hand in back to hold the washers and nut as you bolt them on. The springs were a pain because you have to get the spring compressors on just right to be able to fit them in there and even then I had to uncrank the spring compressors with an open ended wrench because I didn't have enough room for an impact wrench or even a socket wrench. I took my time and it took me 6 hours, but 2 of that was because of those rusted nuts/bolts. If I had gone straight to cutting them off I could have been done in under 4 hours. I did have help from my 9 year old daughter. It was helpful to have her fetching tools for me while I was under the car.

If the dealer won't do the install, I'm sure a good independent shop would do the work. I have a place I take my cars that specializes in imports, that I could have taken it to. It should certainly take them under 4 hours for the install, since presumably they are far more skilled then me.

[Maelstrom]

I just got around to installing it last weekend. Anybody know how (or if you can) turn off the blinking "off" in the instrument cluster? Thanks!

Anybody have any ideas? My fall back will be putting electrical tape over the instrument cluster. That may be a tad shy of professional though.

[chrisvr6]

i just got some bilstein shocks and also realized the stock shocks are not coming out without a sawzall.