Common reasons to adaptive dynamics fault?

[MajorTom]

While driving this morning I got an adaptive dynamics error message. Knowing how sensitive these cars are to low voltage and considering that the car only has done short trips during the past two weeks I just assume it's the battery getting a bit low. Hooked it up to the CTEK which I presume will solve it, but could there be any other common reason behind the fault? As far as I've seen, low voltage seems like the most common reason but it's still a bit odd because I had low battery warnings quite a few times before but never got this kind of warning about the dampers before.

By the way I've never noticed the adaptive dampers working as clearly as today. I've always had a hard time telling much of a suspension difference between comfort and dynamic mode, to the point of wondering if it works at all. I've mainly put that down to that I usually drive on super smooth roads. Today however, when that fault appeared the suspension got clearly rock hard. Seems like it goes to its stiffest setting if there's a fault detected and this felt much stiffer than in dynamic mode.

 

[elugelab]

Interesting. When I first got my V8R I must admit I couldn't notice much of a difference between soft and hard settings, but having driven it in Dynamic everywhere I go, turning them back to soft yesterday I did notice a difference, having got used to the harder setting.

I'm afraid I can't shed any light on where the fault come from but having read some of the technical docs on how the dampers alter their valving, I can't immediately see how the variable dampers could do anything except one or two specific settings, as they aren't infinitely variable between full hard and soft. I'm no expert though.

 

[scm]

... I can't immediately see how the variable dampers could do anything except one or two specific settings, as they aren't infinitely variable between full hard and soft.

You can only set them to Normal (Comfort?) or Dynamic but that doesn't mean the software can't do clever things with them, without our knowledge! Like you, I'm no expert, but am willing to believe the car may be cleverer than we give it credit for.

 

[MANTOT3]

Major Tom
I've had the adaptive dynamics un available, message in my case also said 2 wheel drive only.
At first it was intermittent and re set after turning off and restarting but in the end it failed on a group ride out to Essex last Summer.
Diagnostic check found it to be near side rear ride height sensor.
I have known others have this when the connection to the ride height sensor became loose. A dignostic check is the only way to tell if it persists.

 

[Tel]

Usually ride height sensors (dodgy connex) or connections on top of the strut itself.

 

[MajorTom]

Good to know about the sensors and connections. Added that to the list of things to get checked before the warranty expires.

Gave the car a full recharge over night and haven't seen the error again.

Regarding the stiffness when the adaptive dampers got disabled I think I also remember reading on another forum that someone with another Jag (could have been an XF) experienced the same thing.