weird air compressor problem

[ImpalaSlayer]

ok well this has happened twice to be so far. while im going down the road my AS light will come on, so for the sake of not knowing anything else to do i cycled the switch. few moments later the pump comes on but the bags dont inflate. when i get to where i was going, i notice the rear is now at the proper height. :confused:

why did the pump not fill it up the first time? this has happened twice now and is quite annoying. i dont even know where to begin looking. i was kind of thinking maybe the ride height senso is loose or something maybe? :help:

[Glockafella]

Mine has been doing this...I usually turn the key to the on position...let the bags fill...then start the car...some days it doesnt want to fill...but will as I drive, just like you are describing.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Mine has been doing this...I usually turn the key to the on position...let the bags fill...then start the car...some days it doesnt want to fill...but will as I drive, just like you are describing.

hmmm yeah thats pretty much whats happening.

[Glockafella]

I am positive its some sensor that is making **** up as it goes...lol

[Marauderjack]

Time to sell these old, dilapidated cars!!!:eek:

NOT!!!:D

Sounds like the height sensor may be bad!!:cool:

[ctrlraven]

Anytime mine kicks on when the key is on the ON position I let them fill before starting the car. I also look for a point of reference from the drivers seat and see if the nose goes down some to ensure they are inflating.

Check to see how much the height sensor is, if it's fairly cheap I would go ahead and replace it and go from there.

[RacerX]

Is it possible it's the air compressor itself? I have no inflation probs, but, my light has come on randomly since I bought the car. I've noticed that the compressor has some corrosion on it and esp. around the seal. I drilled a big hole for rain water to drain out of the tray when I read about it here.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Is it possible it's the air compressor itself? I have no inflation probs, but, my light has come on randomly since I bought the car. I've noticed that the compressor has some corrosion on it and esp. around the seal. I drilled a big hole for rain water to drain out of the tray when I read about it here.


my compressor dosent live down there any more and the car has been in a garage for the past year or so.

mine lives here now

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_1036.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/blaster250cr/IMG_1038.jpg

[GetMeMyStogie]

As the compressor wears out, it will eventually no longer be able to produce enough pressure to raise the car. Left in this condition, it will continue to wear beyond the point when air from the springs will actually leak past the cylinder rings inside the compressor, and the springs will deflate even though the air compressor is running.

Here's a theory:
As the car goes down the road the rear end bounces up and down - while the rear end is extended from its steady height, the air pressure inside the spring will be reduced, possibly to the point that a weak pump can get some air to flow into the spring. Of course, while the spring is compressed the air pressure inside it will be higher than normal, possibly leaking past the air compressor rings. While driving, these two actions would probably cancel each other out, or one of them would average higher. For now, it seems the side of air flowing into the spring is winning - but eventually, more air will flow out of the spring than into it, and the rear end will sag even after a drive.

How can you test this? Hmm. For starters, make sure the springs themselves aren't leaking. Do this by turning off the air suspension after a drive, (but before closing all of the doors - which immediately causes the car to 'lower' to curb height, after all passengers have exited), and keep it off for several trips. After each trip, and with the same load in the car and ambient temperature within a few degrees of day one, check the rear ride height - make sure it hasn't dropped. If it has you air bags are probably shot. If not, it's your air compressor.
Alternatively, start the car, close the doors, and stand at the rear of the vehicle. Wait for the pump to start, and start pushing down on the trunk of the car, making it bounce. Continue bouncing the vehicle until the pump stops. If the rear has raised, your pump is very near death.

You can easily eliminate a failing ride-height sensor - after closing the last door after all passengers have exited, the vehicle will adjust to normal ride height - which means releasing air from the springs. If the solenoids close (air stops being released) when the ride height is correct, it's because the air ride computer 'reads' that it's at the correct height - information which can come only from a properly functioning sensor.

[ImpalaSlayer]

well its taken a dump completely. the suspension sounds likes its pumping but the bags dont go up. im not sure what it could be. has anyone takin the compressor apart before?

[Glockafella]

check it out for leaks

[guspech750]

Anyone ever replace the OEM system with an after market kit from Air Ride Technologies? http://www.ridetech.com/shop/
http://www.ridetech.com/shop/images/cat-headers/09-shockwave-main-image.jpg