**** more air ride stuff???

[Cmoney21]

I just purchased new front air bags plus a new compressor from suspension alternatives(just some of the great advice from this site) for my 96 continental. I had all this put on because obviously my front wasn't airing up. So my mechanic tells me to take it to the dealership, after he installed the parts, so that they can continuously run the compressor motor and keep all four strut solenoids open to air the car up. Because I guess it requires a special scanner and you can't just use shop compressors like in the old days! That’s the best way I can explain all that jargon. Well after paying the dealership $90 bucks to diagnose the air ride issues. They tell me I have either a circuit short some where( another $90 to just diagnose). Or my air ride modulator in the trunk could possibly be going out(another $90 to just diagnose). Then they won't even tell me how long it will take to find a circuit short or how long it takes to fix an air ride modulator. But they did offer for me to leave my car for the weekend so they could run my bill up more. And they did manage to tell me that they could get a new modulator for $520, yeah right! I’d greatly appreciate any advice or direction, thanks!

 

[Redwingvksm]

Ok - shorts are a PITA to diagnose and I personally charge by the hour - 2 hours minimum. Sorry - but there is no time frame that I can give you. If you can find it than be my guest.

The module - does the computer say everything is OK even though everything is sitting low? Your old airbags where probally ok and this is your problem - see what happens when you don't properly diagonose something? If it does say everything is ok - i'd put money that it IS your module going out - but it can (but I highly dbout it) still be a short.

Hope this helps!

 

[Cmoney21]

oh

Well first I appreciate the advice! I probably should have had my system checked a little bit more thorough . But since the right front bag was defective I thought to replace both bag and to get a new compressor would set me straight. But the check ride light comes on in the dash after about 15 seconds or so. And since the dealership took a look at it earlier today the check ride light chimes on immediately after start up. So if it is most likely not a short how can I definitively put my finger on modulator problem, without having to go back to the dealership? And can I find a quality modulator at a cheaper price? And finally how much might the labor run on replacing a modulator? Thanks the advice does help.

 

[Redwingvksm]

So I take it that it's not even airing up. Does the pump turn on? Do you hear a click from the solinoids? I'd go through and double check all the fittings to all the bags. When a modulator knows that - especally w/ the 15 second delay - that's pretty big. Double check all the connections (no dirt/water/etc) and that's all I have to say for now. It seems like that your module is working fine w/o any short to the module. It is possible one of the level sensors can be bad. Let me go to work tomorrow and get a 'how-to' from Mitchell.

 

[Cmoney21]

Thanks a lot, ill try and get more info by monday talk to you then. This sound like its getting pretty deep, is this getting past a DIY weekend warrior? But it is slammed to the ground and is very close to rubbing on my rims. I have been driving my girlfriend Tiburon and trust me it is nothing like I am use to. Before I took it up to the dealership the compressor would turn on and cycle for about 15-25 seconds. After the dealer ran their test it doesn't air up or even turn or cycle at all. I know where all for leveling sensors are at. So how could I tell if one or many are bad? Thanks for your time?