Air ride compressor, module or sensor going out?

[dnsherrill]

Earlier today I got in my 94 and the compressor didn't come on (unusual) I drove about 3 miles and while on the highway got the ''check air ride message'' and cleared it. I got off the highway at my exit about another mile down the road, drove about another mile to the grocery store and noticed the sound of the front wheel scrubbing- the compressor never came on. I was close to home and slowly drove it there. Shut it down, nearly slammed just in the front (both sides, drivers side lower). About 20 minutes later I came out and started the car, the compressor ran and got it up to height in one cycle, about 45 seconds. I tired this a few more times and it kept happening the same, compressor comes on at startup, I drive a little ways but the compressor doesn't come on like it had been before (after driving highway speeds) The check air ride message didn't come back...yet
Does this sound like bad air ride module or height sensors? I haven't driven it any real distance yet to see if it will slam again.
The bags hold good overnight...no signs of abnormal leaking

 

[tixer]

I've never had to troubleshoot one myself, but I know there's a solid state relay that controls that compressor. Folks have had trouble with it in the past. I wonder if yours is failing, or a connector on it may be failing. I'm movie right now or I'd search for you, but try some variation on "air ride relay," and I bet you'll find a very good place to start.

 

[dnsherrill]

I've never had to troubleshoot one myself, but I know there's a solid state relay that controls that compressor. Folks have had trouble with it in the past. I wonder if yours is failing, or a connector on it may be failing. I'm movie right now or I'd search for you, but try some variation on "air ride relay," and I bet you'll find a very good place to start.

that's a good idea and an easy place to start, I have at least one spare I can swap in...or i could swap my abs and air ride to confirm that both are good. As far as bench testing/ hard wiring the compressor...to power it, there's BK and R...to vent there's BL and GR...match colors to turn it on, and to vent?

 

[driller]

You may want to also consider switching off the air suspension in the trunk after it raises to trim height but before driving. This will prevent it from "lowering at speed" on the highway.

The vent solenoid valve could be sticking/leaking?

 

[ONLYTONY]

I had a problem on my 95. Rear bottomed sitting overnight, then ok for a week, then it did it again. Turned out to be the module under the kick panel.

 

[billcu]

I've been fighting a similar intermittent problem with the compressor on my green 94.

I changed the relay twice thinking that was the problem, it would work for a while then the intermittent problem came back. The problem is, when I go to find the fault, it starts working again. Yesterday was the first time the problem didn't fix itself, hopefully I can diagnose it now.

I'm going to try to jumper the relay trigger wire to ground to see if that might make it run next. I've had to replace that wire on my 98.

 

[billcu]

Well, mine turned out to be the relay again. The jumper to the trigger didn't work until I changed the relay. No check air ride message so far.

I'm thinking the compressor might be drawing too much current, and burning out the relays, but the compressor sounds fine and healthy.

 

[dnsherrill]

I put in a known good air ride module (from my 98), that solved the problem...also raised it about 1/2"...now I need to find a good module to put in my 98