Hi,
I have a Lexus RX 300 SE-L 2004.
I love this car and it is usually like driving a cloud.

I was away for a couple of months, car was stationary. I came back and drove it and it is bouncing all over the place, the slightest bump to the rear and it is like being on a fair ground ride. There was an AFS sensor light on but it has now gone off.
I took it to my local mechanic who has looked after the car for years. He said I need to plug in the diagnostics, but the wait it a month at the Lexus garage.
The rest of the car he serviced and said all fine.

I can hear the compressor kick in in the rear right, it seems louder than before and runs for longer.

Any advice would be so welcome, I feel it may be near the end of its life, but I simply can't bear that just yet.

Many thanks!

 

Springs or air suspension? If springs - replace struts...

 

20-yo air suspension, it’s a miracle it lasted this long. Not worth the hassle or cost to replace with new air suspension probably. I would spray bags with soapy water to locate the leak.

Sachs struts for these ride nicely

 

Like Matt said, give a shot at leak detection. We fixed a family Lincoln that did this. Finally discovered the solenoid valves were leaking. Replaced O-rings and back to normal. No huge expense of replacing bags, or converting to conventional.

A serious google search might reveal to you what the common failure points are on this particular air set-up. I am not familiar with it in particular.

Aside, I have actually been to St. Peter Port once in the past. A unique and memorable place.

 

Thank you so much.

It is air suspension.
Sorry excuse the ignorance, how do you detect the leak as suggested?

Oro, it is a great place hey! Unique and special!
Lovely to hear you have visited!

 

If its a simple fix, great. A long term fix, is to swap out the air bags for regular springs/struts.

 

spray the soapy water

 

Thanks guys!!

 

Update!
Lexus back from the mechanic.
Two new airbags, bit pricey but sooooo worth it!
Thrilled to have my car back!
Thanks for your help!