Does my 2020 Tahoe have an air compressor? I hear a noise, sometimes.

[nomech]

Lately I've noticed that when I'm waiting at a stoplight (no road noise) I can hear a very slight humming noise, the best way to describe it would be similar to an air compressor but very quiet and/or muffled. I would say that I can hear it run for about 5-7 seconds and then it stops. It is very possible that it does it while driving, but because the vehicle is moving (road noise) I don't hear it.

2020 Tahoe Premier that was purchased brand new and I don't recall hearing this noise up until about 1-2 months ago. 160k miles.

Thanks.

 

[slupie]

Yes, you have rear air levelng suspension. It is normal for it to run ocassionaly since there a inherent air leaks in the system.

 

[GMCChevy]

How often do you hear it? Usually you should only hear it shortly after start up or if the weight changes. If you hear it regularely while driving it could be a sign that either there's a leak or something wrong with the ride height sensor.

 

[nomech]

How often do you hear it? Usually you should only hear it shortly after start up or if the weight changes. If you hear it regularely while driving it could be a sign that either there's a leak or something wrong with the ride height sensor.

I hear it daily at least once or twice from what I recall.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I just replaced mine on the 2015. Mine was working but it was LOUD as hell. The new one I can’t even hear. Could just be getting worn…..

 

[nomech]

I just replaced mine on the 2015. Mine was working but it was LOUD as hell. The new one I can’t even hear. Could just be getting worn…..

This is also assuming that the noise I'm hearing is the compressor for the air suspension. It seems like it is, though.

 

[ReaperHWK]

This is also assuming that the noise I'm hearing is the compressor for the air suspension. It seems like it is, though.

Well it’s located right on the frame rail(on the inside and covered with some rubber sheets) by the rear driver side wheel. Go over there next time you hear it.

 

[nomech]

Well it’s located right on the frame rail(on the inside and covered with some rubber sheets) by the rear driver side wheel. Go over there next time you hear it.

Get out at the intersection while waiting for a red light to check it out?

Sorry, just trying to bring in some humor. If I happen to hear it while at home and parking the car, I'll do my best to try to get back there, but I only have a few seconds so we'll see.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Get out at the intersection while waiting for a red light to check it out?

Sorry, just trying to bring in some humor. If I happen to hear it while at home and parking the car, I'll do my best to try to get back there, but I only have a few seconds so we'll see.

Start your truck with the driver's door open, and head toward the rear left tire as soon as the motor starts (and before it goes through its diagnostic routine with all of the dash lights), and you'll arrive at the back tire just about the time that the compressor starts.

 

[nomech]

Start your truck with the driver's door open, and head toward the rear left tire as soon as the motor starts (and before it goes through its diagnostic routine with all of the dash lights), and you'll arrive at the back tire just about the time that the compressor starts.

Great suggestion, I will give that a shot. Going off of memory, I don't recall hearing that noise right when I start the vehicle. You'd think if there were a small leak it would kick on the compressor to fill it with air, but I don't know much about the vehicle, I'm learning as I go.

Thanks.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Great suggestion, I will give that a shot. Going off of memory, I don't recall hearing that noise right when I start the vehicle. You'd think if there were a small leak it would kick on the compressor to fill it with air, but I don't know much about the vehicle, I'm learning as I go.

Thanks.

The compressor should start for 4-5 seconds almost every time that you start the truck, after leaving it off for several hours, as part of the diagnostics routine upon startup.

 

[nomech]

The compressor should start for 4-5 seconds almost every time that you start the truck, after leaving it off for several hours, as part of the diagnostics routine upon startup.

I've put 160k miles on the car and I just don't recall hearing that on startup. Of course I am not accusing you of being wrong, you seem to know what you are talking about, I'm just going off of my memory. When I first heard that noise happening more often (about a month ago) it was not a familiar noise to me.

I will pay closer attention, thank you.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I've put 160k miles on the car and I just don't recall hearing that on startup. Of course I am not accusing you of being wrong, you seem to know what you are talking about, I'm just going off of my memory. When I first heard that noise happening more often (about a month ago) it was not a familiar noise to me.

I will pay closer attention, thank you.

No worries. Yes, I'm quite familiar with that system, as I had to reinstall it, along with module changes and re-programming, as the previous owner had stripped out the Z55 system and replaced it with cheap passive shocks.

 

[Meathead16]

If you miss the noise on start up, just throw something really heavy in the back, should start to lift within a few seconds

 

[nomech]

Start your truck with the driver's door open, and head toward the rear left tire as soon as the motor starts (and before it goes through its diagnostic routine with all of the dash lights), and you'll arrive at the back tire just about the time that the compressor starts.

Yup that’s where I hear the noise. I made it back there right after starting the vehicle and I also saw something with minimal vibration and the vibration stopped when the noise stopped. Ran for a few seconds as mentioned.