RAS question “Check Air Suspension”

[69marquis conv]

Former Marauder owner here and still a panther owner. This question is for a GM but I decided to ask here rather than CrownVic.net because more users here have the RAS than over there.
My GM has started setting the CAS light intermittently when starting. When it does, I notice the low speed steering is a little difficult. Usually restart or three will enable it to self test and work as intended.
I suspected the relay so I replaced it yesterday. This morning it started with no error, but later after running a while it set the light again when I restarted it, so I guess the relay was not the problem.
my question is, what is the next likely component, the compressor or the control module or something else?

[Turbov6Bryan]

After reading your post a few times, I only assume that the air ride is working perfect, but sometimes you’re having intermittent hard steering. I can’t really say that it’s going to be a loose wire on the solenoid on the rack because as you have said third times the charm and it starts working. It’s always mostly noted when the car is stopped obviously because when you’re driving it’s not Needed as much. So what I would suggest is replacing the module behind the glove box, grab three of your largest flat tip screwdrivers. You will need to push in two tabs, I believe they are around, but push those in and then slide the module to the side
that module is right there behind the glove box as you flip the glove box down, and you must match the part number 100%, and it is years specific, www . Row52 . Com will give you local junk yards.
easiest way to identify if it’s a air ride car is walk up, check for air bags and or the air suspension switch

[Turbov6Bryan]

Cv or gm is the same. Even if you find a wrong year one, might pick it up for the next guy. They are failing more and more.

also, you could wire in a pwm driver module. I have not done one, but you would need to do some figuring out.

search pwm driver on Amazon, they are under $20

[GetMeMyStogie]

If I recall correctly, the RAS and power Variable Assist Power Steering module are one in the same. The one box has a connector for the power steering, and another for the RAS. As both systems are having issues, I'd start there. Maybe a corroded ground or crusties in the connectors or in rhe module itself.

[69marquis conv]

Thanks for the reply. Apparently my iPad screwed up some of the words in my post so I made some corrections. Since the old car is twenty years old I went ahead andreplaced the bags, solenoids, and compressor. Still the same. For the first start of any day, the air suspension works perfect, but after shutting off the car and letting it sit for nearly any length of time it displays the error when restarting most times for rest of the day. It’s all working perfectly the next morning until the second start. I assume after something in the system warms up it can’t re-enable the suspension system.
Is this the module that’s behind the glove box?

[Turbov6Bryan]

You bother to read my post?

[69marquis conv]

You bother to read my post?

I sure did. I had already purchased the parts and considered them a maintenance item anyway- couldn't hurt to try. Do you know if the module will require programming after replacement- or if the numbers match it will be plug and play?

[GoldPanther]

since you already replaced the most expensive parts the only left to be replaced before the module is the level sensor, replace that just for the heck of it too since you're already replaced all of it.

[69marquis conv]

I found a used RAS/VAPS module on eBay and took a chance and bought it. I installed it and my old Merc RAS is working great again. The air bags I installed a couple of weeks ago are Arnott. I believe they provide a softer ride than the OEM bags. Not floaty, but just smooth.
Thanks for the comments and ideas. Turbo was spot on!

[Turbov6Bryan]

Glad the ras vaps module fixed it bud. It will not need reprogrammed (obviously) I just didn’t get back here soon enough.

Fought my dads Mm for a bit, air ride issue was fixed, but I started second guessing myself on what would fix dads car.

Good deal