Solenoid wont close

hectorrivera67

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I keep getting Check Air Ride message more than likely due to the issue being the right side solenoid will not close. I'm about to go to springs since I cant even drive it anymore even after replacing front airbag complete new compressor and new solenoids. I really feel this is the computer system issue not sending a signal to shut it off. This is my last attempt to stay with the air ride before going to spring. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Are you sure the solenoid won't close? If so, can you try one of the old original solenoids? I've never heard of an original solenoid that won't close.
 
You're right. It was the air line connected to the solenoid which had a frayed end that didn't make a good seal so I cut the end off about an inch and now it at least held air over night. So thanks for responding. Any advice on airline replacement will be greatly appreciated.
 
Glad to hear it. I just do what you do, cut the end off and shove it back in. The air line is available if you need it, a google search should locate it.
 
Wanted to ask you a question real quick before I sell my 98 Mark 8. I replaced all to new bags and compressor which had a new relay except the lines and everything has been running great but the other day I slightly rear ended a car put a hole in from bumper cover so I ordered the Terminator waiting on it to arrive but I'm so frustrated that after the accident i get the Check Air error and after resetting it from the trunk I turn the car off then restart and the error comes on and the compressor wont power on now I'm dead in the water. I removed the whole unit and connected a 12 volt wire to the compressor and it runs I've checked fuses in the car but dont know which is the relay in fuse box to check other than that I'm out of ideas which is why I'm desperate. NEED Help please.
 
There is a big fuse for the compressor under the hood in the power distribution box. Is there any chance you cut a wire in the accident?
 
That's definitely a possibility and the reason I say that is the compressor stopped working one day after the accident. Towed it home then when checked the compressor and one of the screw with with rubber mount broke which at this time i didn't remove the compressor i just zip tied it down and cranked up the engine and it powered up till couple days ago I had my rear tires replaced and after that was when i got the error Check Air Ride message and now compressor will not come on and I get the error immediate. Where should I look in the front cause i hit the trailer hitch and made a 3" hole or could there be a specific place in the rear after replacing the 2 rear tires?
 
You can test the compressor and wires from the air ride module connector, I copied this from my post a couple years ago:

My CE has a hard fault, the check air ride message comes on right after start up.

Here's how I troubleshoot and manually inflated the airsprings. This might help people that don't have the wiring diagram.

The air ride module is located under the passenger side lower cowl kick panel.

The gray connector is the one with the compressor, vent valve, and solenoid outputs, unplug it and pull it down a bit for access to the pins.

I use jumper cables to run the positive and negative around to the passenger side area, I tape small wires to the battery clamps to use as test positive and ground supplies. I put a glove over the positive clamp to protect it from shorting to ground, be careful with the small positive wire, don't let it touch anything unintentionally.

First, I test the compressor circuit, pin 18 is the relay trigger, connect the ground wire to it and the compressor should run. Just let it run for a second to make sure it runs, as the solenoids are not open.

Next test the solenoids, pins 14, 15, 16, and 17. Connect the positive wire to each one, one at a time, you will hear each solenoid click.

Obviously, if one of these tests fails you need to look at the compressor relay, compressor, solenoid, or wires to these components.

One of my solenoids didn't click, I checked the connector it was a little corroded, I cleaned it up, it's ok now, one problem solved.

Once these checked out ok, to manually inflate the air ride, apply positive to the solenoid pins (I do both fronts and rears together if they are equally low) and then ground the relay trigger and the air ride should inflate.

You can check the vent valve as well, apply positive to pin 30 you should hear a click, then apply positive to one or 2 of the solenoids, they should vent.

Here are the pin numbers and wire colors:

Pin 18, dark blue with yellow stripe, compressor relay trigger, apply ground to activate.

Pin 14, light green with orange stripe, LF solenoid, apply positive to activate.

Pin 15, orange with red stripe, RF solenoid, apply positive to activate.

Pin 16, purple with light green stripe, LR solenoid, apply positive to activate.

Pin 17, light blue with black stripe, RR solenoid, apply positive to activate.

Pin 30, pink, vent valve, apply positive to activate.

My CE still has the hard fault (I ran out of time and light) but at least the air ride is fully inflated for further troubleshooting.
 
Great write-up and detail, Bill! Thanks for taking the time, and I hope you get that hard fault fixed up soon!
 
Thanks for responding. I removed a battery from my other car and connected the negative and positive wire to it then connected the negative only to #18 pin and nothing? Do i do this with the car running or off?
 
You might have a bad trigger wire or compressor relay. I'd check the wire for continuity and if that's ok, try swapping the relay with a known good one. Shouldn't need to have the key on.
 
I hate to ask this obvious question, but did you check the air ride switch in the trunk. The tire tech may have turned it off and forgot to turn it back on.
 
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