Another Air Suspension Question
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Another Air Suspension Question
I looked around and didn't find what I was looking for so here goes.
Our 03 Navi seems to ride "bouncy" in the front but last time I drove it seemed OK. My wife drives is 99% of the time and she said dash lights have come on too at times but the real problem is when it's sitting in the driveway. She said she heard air release then the compressor kick on. I was outside yesterday and didn't hear any air release but did hear the compressor kick on which probably tells me there may be a leak somewhere.
First, is it normal or the compressor to kick on when the key is not on? Also, where should I start looking?
Our 03 Navi seems to ride "bouncy" in the front but last time I drove it seemed OK. My wife drives is 99% of the time and she said dash lights have come on too at times but the real problem is when it's sitting in the driveway. She said she heard air release then the compressor kick on. I was outside yesterday and didn't hear any air release but did hear the compressor kick on which probably tells me there may be a leak somewhere.
First, is it normal or the compressor to kick on when the key is not on? Also, where should I start looking?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Fla
Yes, the compressor will kick on and also release air without the ignition on and level itself. I learned that the first time shortly after getting mine and a buddy and I were bull****'n sitting on the bumper when it kicked on lifting us up.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Greene County,TN.
Well, the system has power to make any adjustments for an hour after the ignition is turned off, but why would it need to....unless you have a leak? If it did it once, I wouldn't be too worried. If it does it more than once, my bet is a leak.
Note to the post starter: If you heard a hiss.....then the compressor came on, that's a good indication of a leak.
The '03 is a little different than the older ones. The older ones you could turn the switch off and drive the vehicle for the best leak test. The newer ones will bypass the "switch off" function after approx. 30 mph.
What you could do, is to turn the suspension switch off and just let it sit. Do this every night for awhile. Keep in mind that it may not show anything the first night. If it goes down even one night.....it has a leak.
The faster the problem is addressed, the smaller the repair bill will be!
Note to the post starter: If you heard a hiss.....then the compressor came on, that's a good indication of a leak.
The '03 is a little different than the older ones. The older ones you could turn the switch off and drive the vehicle for the best leak test. The newer ones will bypass the "switch off" function after approx. 30 mph.
What you could do, is to turn the suspension switch off and just let it sit. Do this every night for awhile. Keep in mind that it may not show anything the first night. If it goes down even one night.....it has a leak.
The faster the problem is addressed, the smaller the repair bill will be!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for the tips, I'll try turning the switch off today and see what my results are. I've heard stories of leaks bad enough that people's batteries were dead the next day, I'm not there yet.
As far as the air releasing noise my wife and her mother heard the other day, what would cause the sytsem to dump a bunch of air? The way she described it was like a valve opened to bleed all the air out, similar to pulling the tank evacuation valve on a small air compressor if you're familiar with that.
As far as the air releasing noise my wife and her mother heard the other day, what would cause the sytsem to dump a bunch of air? The way she described it was like a valve opened to bleed all the air out, similar to pulling the tank evacuation valve on a small air compressor if you're familiar with that.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Greene County,TN.
If you want to "possibly"(some leaks are in a place you can't see) see the leak, use a squirt bottle with some dishwashing liquid rather than windex. The very last thing you want to do, is to use a harsh chemical that'll take the natural moisturizers out of the rubber. (thats straight from a Goodyear engineer)
As far as the message center goes, when you push the check button, the only way it'll show a problem, is if the problem is right then. If theres a problem in the memory of the module, the message center doesn't know about it.
As far as the venting sound goes, that can sometimes be a crack in the rubber being exposed on the fold of the rubber. When that crack gets on the fold, it'll open up the crack and can sound like a vent valve. Again, by turning off the suspension switch at night, your taking ALL of the electronics out of the equation. In other words, if it continues to vent while the switch is off, you have a leak.
As far as the message center goes, when you push the check button, the only way it'll show a problem, is if the problem is right then. If theres a problem in the memory of the module, the message center doesn't know about it.
As far as the venting sound goes, that can sometimes be a crack in the rubber being exposed on the fold of the rubber. When that crack gets on the fold, it'll open up the crack and can sound like a vent valve. Again, by turning off the suspension switch at night, your taking ALL of the electronics out of the equation. In other words, if it continues to vent while the switch is off, you have a leak.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hmmm.. so much for the memory center. Mine used to make a loud compressor sound as it deflated - often some time later as has been pointed out here. Last time I head it it was just air air hissing sound - no compressor sound. IJust anther item for the dealer to tell me, "Duh we ditn't hear nothin'."
It's always something with that POS....
It's always something with that POS....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Greene County,TN.
It is normal for the compressor to come on everytime the vehicle is started, as well as being normal to vent everytime you turn the igntion off and close the door.
For the record, I wouldn't have a problem with the compressor coming back on, even after the system just vented, but it shouldn't need to do anything after that. If it does, I would suspect a leak.
For the record, I wouldn't have a problem with the compressor coming back on, even after the system just vented, but it shouldn't need to do anything after that. If it does, I would suspect a leak.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
is it normal for the truck to vent and be all the way down each morning? also this morning i noticed that the passenger side was lower then the driver side. And the compressor comes on through out the day. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Eastern South Carolina
It is normal for the compressor to come on everytime the vehicle is started, as well as being normal to vent everytime you turn the igntion off and close the door.
For the record, I wouldn't have a problem with the compressor coming back on, even after the system just vented, but it shouldn't need to do anything after that. If it does, I would suspect a leak.
For the record, I wouldn't have a problem with the compressor coming back on, even after the system just vented, but it shouldn't need to do anything after that. If it does, I would suspect a leak.
I am thinking I need to reset something on the air suspension or compressor, but I have no clue where to start. Can anyone help? This clicking noise is loud and getting on my nerves. Sounds like a bomb getting ready to ignite.
I have noticed that I have the nightly sag in the rear when I come out to the truck in the morning. Even coming out to the truck to leave for lunch during the day it appears to have leaked down. Guess I need to do the soapy water test.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Eastern South Carolina
I drove it for 5 days before I bought it....never once noticed the clicking.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Eastern South Carolina
I heard the ticking all weekend, so when I got to work, I charged my pocket PC that has a digital recorder on it, left for lunch, pulled into my drive way, got out leaving the door open, set the recorder to record, closed the door......no ticking! Open and close the back pass door....no ticking. So, I think it's not ticking 'cause I only have about .5 gallons of gas in the tank. So after eatin' some grub, I head to the gas station. At $1.55, who wouldn't be happy to fill up.....So after I fill up, get back to work, turned off the truck and got out leaving the door open, set the recorder to record, closed the door......no ticking! Open and close the back pass door....no ticking.
Where did the ticking go????? It did it this morning when I got to work the first time!
Where did the ticking go????? It did it this morning when I got to work the first time!