Air compressor quits at speed

[SirRich803]

The only time I have a problem with my air system on my 98 LSC is when I get up over 60 MPH. I know it's suppose to drop but mine seems to be venting until it's all the way on the frame rail, and the compressor won't start back up until I go through the shutdown/startup routine.

Does anyone have any experience with this situation. Around town and on the city streets it seems fine. Go 1 MPH over 60 and bam, the check light will come on in about 3-4 miles.


Thanks

Richard Welch

 

[Jamler3]

WOW Rich, That is nuts...

I'm currently experiencing a problem where I don't think the back springs are getting enough air, causing my tires to gently scrape when I hit a big dip in the road...

Your situation sounds like an issue with the compressor... Getting lit up when you initially start the car, but once the computer engages it, it does not pump air...

I don't have a solution, but the compressor sounds as if its the issue...

Jim

 

[MonsterMark]

Good try Jim! Wrong.

Rich, it sounds like you have an airbag leak. Once you hit 55, the car automatically goes into lowering mod and drops an inch. This lowering helps to "find" the leak that is present but doesn't show itself when the car is fully inflated. The compressor is running trying to fill the bag back up as you are running. Remember your high school physics. There is quite a bite of force pushing down trying to empty the bag and the compressor is struggling to keep up. After 4 minutes of this, the compressor 'times' out and gives up and the car drops.

With the car off and in the driveway, you can have someone sit on the front end and then listen for the telltale hissing sound. Sometimes you can get away with replacing just one bag but most of the time the other one is not far behind (in failing). See the vendor area and call Eddie and/or Max. I would get them sooner vs later because it saves a lot of wear and tear on the compressor and solenoids.

IMHO, this is a classic airbag leak failure in the initial stages from what I have experienced personally. So take that for what it is worth.

 

[1wykdmk8]

Good try Jim! Wrong.

Rich, it sounds like you have an airbag leak. Once you hit 55, the car automatically goes into lowering mod and drops an inch. This lowering helps to "find" the leak that is present but doesn't show itself when the car is fully inflated. The compressor is running trying to fill the bag back up as you are running. Remember your high school physics. There is quite a bite of force pushing down trying to empty the bag and the compressor is struggling to keep up. After 4 minutes of this, the compressor 'times' out and gives up and the car drops.

With the car off and in the driveway, you can have someone sit on the front end and then listen for the telltale hissing sound. Sometimes you can get away with replacing just one bag but most of the time the other one is not far behind (in failing). See the vendor area and call Eddie and/or Max. I would get them sooner vs later because it saves a lot of wear and tear on the compressor and solenoids.

IMHO, this is a classic airbag leak failure in the initial stages from what I have experienced personally. So take that for what it is worth.

:iconcur:

 

[MrWilson]

yep thats about the same thing that started to happen to me when my bags went, if you dont take care of it soon it will start to lose pressure and eventually be riding on the tires.

 

[Jibit]

you guys sure that's the problem? He doesn't mention anything about the car sitting on the ground over night or the car lowering after a period of time. Its the computer venting until its on the ground and than it won't air itself back up at normal speeds. So the compressor hasn't tried turning on. IMO it sounds more like a computer malfunction of some sort, sensor maybe, but than again, what the hell do I know.