Car does not lower....Air Ride Fault...Drivers door switch no light...AARRGHHH

[slowpoke]

Hey so here is the deal. I bought my new/old 97 lsc and it had a few issues. One was that the front would drop overnight.

Well after checking out the bags they were kind of cracked in the bladder area so I sourced replacements. Previous owner told me he had replaced pump and showed me receipts. So I put new bags in and all relatiovely seems well (seems to drop after a few days though...ANYWAYS) Not appreciating the semi 4x4 look I adjust the front and rear sensors...Not thinking I did it reverse of what I should have...TALK ABOUT 4x4....

So I properly readjust the sensors and well..The car didn't drop. I had to bleed the system and let it air back up.

Now I still had an air ride fault message. Had my buddy hook up the car to see what faults came up....NONE. It doesn't come on immediately but will randomly come on after a varying amount of time of driving.

What I did notice is that my drivers door lock does not work electronically by switch or remote, when shutting ignition off and taking key out radio will still play and message center will stay on. Above head light doesn't ever go on when door is open. When I open passenger door radio and message center go out and antitheft light flashes.

So what is going on???bad switch? And will that affect my ride height leveling. Im thinking yes.... Help? Ideas? Thanks!

 

[chris2523]

yeah, i believe if the car sees that the door is open, it won't adjust the air suspension.
it might lower the door down onto a curb or some other foolish thing.
i would get the door switch figured out, and then revisit the air ride.

 

[slowpoke]

I don't know anything about this door switch. Or what it looks like...Ill be pulling the door panel off when I get a chance to take a look. Does anyone have a photo? Someone told me to spray wd40 in latch mechanism....Nada

Thanks!

 

[beerdog]

WD40 spraye din the latch has fixed many problems for me. will not hurt to try.

 

[driller]

I may be wrong, but isn't the 'door ajar' switch separate from the door "open" switch?

The "door ajar" switch is in the door latch mechanism and is what is frequently cured by the application of WD40.

However, the courtesy lamp switch is in the A pillar by the door hinges. I believe it is connected to the courtesy lamp circuit? (But something makes me think both may be part of the circuit since the courtesy lamps should illuminate if you lift the door handle of a locked vehicle.)

Now I want to go check the manual for the '98 to be certain. I May have the 2 generations mixed up since I'm still not fully accustomed to the Gen2.

Irregardless, if the car thinks the door is open, the suspension should not lower. So it seems to fit the scenario, especially the random part.

 

[billcu]

The gen 2 doesn't have the door jamb switch on the pillar like the gen 1 does.

Also, it's normal on a gen 2 for the radio and message center to stay on with the key turned off, until you open the door, power windows too.

Maybe it's a problem with the vent valve? A vent malfunction will turn on the air ride message after 45 seconds of not venting properly.

 

[slowpoke]

Bill the radio and message center does not go off after I open the door nor does the courtesy light go on. hen I open passenger door it does..So somethings up Tried wd40 already. I was thinking vent valve till I started looking into thisissue. Want to fix this before I look into oa compressor issue being I know it had been changed

The gen 2 doesn't have the door jamb switch on the pillar like the gen 1 does.

Also, it's normal on a gen 2 for the radio and message center to stay on with the key turned off, until you open the door, power windows too.

Maybe it's a problem with the vent valve? A vent malfunction will turn on the air ride message after 45 seconds of not venting properly.

 

[billcu]

OK, so you are saying that the latch switch is not telling the system that the driver's door is open. It is like the door is always closed? That should not stop the venting.

 

[slowpoke]

OK, so you are saying that the latch switch is not telling the system that the driver's door is open. It is like the door is always closed? That should not stop the venting.

Yes it pretty much thinks the door is still closed I assume. Passenger side works however. The car did sit for two years so it is possible the vent valve corroded shut. It's weird I get that air ride fault message yet my friends reader didn't pick up any errors. I also tried jumping the vent solenoid from the module in the glove box and didn't here a click or get anything to vent. I still want to get this drivers door switch figured out. Just really unsure whats going on inside that door. So help with that is much appreciated

 

[Sonny Day Out]

Slowpoke,

The switch/sensor on the door lock controls the radio , message senter , and I think interior lights ! I replaced the complete door lock on a '98 ! I later bought just the switch/sensor off of ebay ! It appears to be available from most auto parts stores !

I have another '98 in storage that i started recently ! It went to 4x4 height and stayed there ! I will deal with it later !

Good Luck,
Sonny