Replacement of a single air suspension ride height sensor on a 2024 Model S Long Range AWD. The sensor links the control arm to the chassis and feeds ride height data to the air suspension ECU; calibration via the Tesla service interface is required after replacement.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Air suspension ride height sensor (corner-specific, Model S 2024) × 1 — Tesla OEM ride height sensor — verify left/right and front/rear by VIN
• Sensor link rod / ball stud (if damaged on removal) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified link rod for Model S air suspension sensor

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery located in the front trunk under the nose cowl panel (verify your specific 2024 build — some Plaid variants use a 16V Li-ion under the rear seat).
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Before disconnecting the 12V, place the vehicle in Jack Mode / suspension service mode via the touchscreen to disable air suspension self-leveling.
7. Identify which corner sensor is being replaced (FL, FR, RL, RR). Confirm part is the correct corner-specific sensor.
8. Loosen the wheel lug nuts on the affected corner before lifting.
9. Lift the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack point using a Tesla-approved puck. Support on jack stands rated for EV curb weight. Remove the wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate the ride height sensor
   With the wheel removed, locate the ride height sensor at the affected corner. The sensor body is typically bolted to the chassis/subframe with a small bracket, and a link arm connects from the sensor's rotating arm down to a ball stud on the lower control arm. Visually trace the wiring harness back to its chassis connector and note the routing for reinstallation.
   ⚠Do not pull on the sensor wiring harness to move components — the internal sensor element is fragile.
2. 2

   Disconnect the sensor electrical connector
   Release the harness retaining clip, then depress the connector lock tab and disconnect the sensor pigtail from the chassis harness. Inspect the connector pins for corrosion or moisture intrusion — a common failure mode on Tesla air suspension sensors. If corrosion is present, the connector or harness pigtail may also need attention.
3. 3

   Disconnect the link arm from the control arm
   At the lower control arm, the sensor link arm attaches to a ball stud, typically retained by a small clip or by a snap-fit ball socket. Carefully pry the ball socket off the stud using a plastic trim tool to avoid damaging the link or the stud. If the link arm is brittle or cracked (common on higher-mileage cars), plan to replace it.
   ⚠Do not use excessive force — the plastic link arm fractures easily and bits can fall into suspension components.
4. 4

   Unbolt the sensor from the chassis bracket
   Remove the two small mounting bolts securing the sensor body to its chassis-mounted bracket. Support the sensor as the last bolt is removed. Withdraw the sensor and link arm assembly from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Compare old and new sensors
   Lay the new sensor next to the old one. Verify identical mounting pattern, link arm length, arm orientation (clocking), and connector pinout. Air suspension sensors are corner-specific — installing a mirror-image part will cause inverted ride height readings and faults.
   ⚠If the new and old sensors do not match exactly, STOP and verify part number against VIN before proceeding.
6. 6

   Install the new sensor to the chassis bracket
   Position the new sensor on its bracket and start both mounting bolts by hand. Once both are threaded, torque to specification. Confirm the sensor body sits flush and the rotating arm moves freely.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Connect the link arm to the control arm ball stud
   Press the ball socket of the link arm onto the lower control arm ball stud until it snaps fully home. Verify by gently tugging — it should not separate. Confirm the link arm is not twisted or binding through its travel.
8. 8

   Reconnect the electrical connector and secure harness
   Mate the sensor connector to the chassis harness until the lock tab clicks. Reseat the harness in any retaining clips along its original routing path. Confirm the harness has no tension at full suspension droop and full compression.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then torque the lug nuts to the verified specification in a star pattern.
3. Fully lower the vehicle to the ground.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery in the frunk.
5. Close the frunk and confirm the vehicle wakes normally.

Verification

• Power the vehicle on. Check the touchscreen for any air suspension or ride height fault alerts.
• Using a Tesla-capable diagnostic tool, exit Jack Mode and perform the air suspension ride height calibration procedure. Without calibration, the new sensor's zero point will not match the air suspension ECU's expected reference.
• Cycle the vehicle through Low / Standard / High ride height settings and confirm all four corners respond and settle to commanded heights.
• Measure ride height at all four corners against Tesla's published ride height spec for the 2024 Model S Long Range trim — confirm side-to-side and front-to-rear values are within tolerance.
• Test drive briefly: confirm no 'Vehicle may not restart' or 'Air suspension fault' messages appear, and that auto-leveling functions on entry/exit.
• Note: while servicing the air suspension on a 2024 vehicle, also verify cabin air filter age (Tesla recommends 2-year replacement, or 3 years for HEPA-equipped cars) and brake fluid age (2-year interval) so the owner can plan upcoming maintenance.

More procedures for this vehicle