Got an air ride problem
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Got an air ride problem
Hi All!
My boss has a 1996 Cadillac Sedan DeVille with about 70,000 miles on it. Recently he decided to tow a car hauling trailer with a 1931 Model A tudor loaded on it. The car does not have the tow package on it (naturally) When he got to the shop the tailpipes were probably about an inch or two off the pavement and the front end was all the way up. He didn't think it was a problem because the car has a v8 so it should be able to tow 6,000 pounds right? yea right! After we took off the trailer the car popped up and the air compressor kicked on to level the car it only ran a little bit but the car seemed to be level so we didn't think anything of it. Now the car is hard to control at 65+mph on the highway. when i drove it it was wondering all around and you constantly have to over correct to keep yourself straight. I took all the wheels off and all the suspension componets seem intact; no broken springs, or stabalizer bars. However the rear is sagging a little bit and when a load is put in the trunk the compresser dosent always kick on. I dont think the air bags are shot or are they? i think it could be bad switches on the rear suspension but im not too sure of it. is there any other way to test the air system besides having a couple fat guys sit on the trunklid?
Any help is appreciated!!!!
Thanks
Alex
My boss has a 1996 Cadillac Sedan DeVille with about 70,000 miles on it. Recently he decided to tow a car hauling trailer with a 1931 Model A tudor loaded on it. The car does not have the tow package on it (naturally) When he got to the shop the tailpipes were probably about an inch or two off the pavement and the front end was all the way up. He didn't think it was a problem because the car has a v8 so it should be able to tow 6,000 pounds right? yea right! After we took off the trailer the car popped up and the air compressor kicked on to level the car it only ran a little bit but the car seemed to be level so we didn't think anything of it. Now the car is hard to control at 65+mph on the highway. when i drove it it was wondering all around and you constantly have to over correct to keep yourself straight. I took all the wheels off and all the suspension componets seem intact; no broken springs, or stabalizer bars. However the rear is sagging a little bit and when a load is put in the trunk the compresser dosent always kick on. I dont think the air bags are shot or are they? i think it could be bad switches on the rear suspension but im not too sure of it. is there any other way to test the air system besides having a couple fat guys sit on the trunklid?
Any help is appreciated!!!!
Thanks
Alex
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
If it dropped too low with the initial load, it might have damaged the height sensor. Not sure on the Cadillacs, but all the Ford corporate height control systems are damaged by lifting without disabling the system first, so if there is a switch for the system, turn it off before lifting again.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Yea i thought about that cause i knew that from foolin around with my moms crown vic. i looked in the owners manual and all it says is that the air ride control is fully automatic and requires no adjustments. it didnt mention any switches or cautions about jacking up the car or shutting off the system. i checked the fuses and wiring and dont see any problems there. the height sensors are what im gonna fool with next. the manual for the caddy also said that if any problems arise with the system to "see your nearest cadillac dealer" go figure!
thanks for the response!
thanks for the response!
