Help with air ride

[Atrevino0497]

I was today years old when I learned that after about a few seconds you should hear the air ride compressor kick on or hiss to let air out, mine does neither. I’ve owned my Tahoe for almost 3 years now and 33k miles. I have not heard the compressor run at any time. I’m pretty picky about listening to noises . I got in the back to weigh down and nothing

With that being said, I knew the shocks needed to get done, Chevy mechanic said the back left was leaking. I have not noticed any bad handling when driving, she handles like a dream to be honest, no sagging and no suspension messages, I’m assuming leaking shocks burnt out the compressor probably before I bought the vehicle.

Checked all the fuses and haven’t been able to check relay yet. If the compressor was truly out would I be getting any dic messages? What else should I be checking to rule out compressor before I replace suspension?

I thought about removing it to bench test out of the vehicle then checking connectors before and at compressor to make sure it’s getting power

 

[Atrevino0497]

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you have a leaking shock bladder, then chances are that the compressor is shot. you can remove the compressor (quite easy to do) and bench test it to confirm failure. Then replace your shocks and the compressor (if failed), as this is fairly easy to do, if you do any wrenching.


Go to GMPartsDirect.com, enter your VIN, go to the Suspension section, and look for the exploded diagram showing the shocks. You should find what you are looking for along with the correct part number. And, the cost will be significantly cheaper than the local dealer. And, I believe that the air shocks are now warrantied for life.

 

[Atrevino0497]

If you have a leaking shock bladder, then chances are that the compressor is shot. you can remove the compressor (quire easy to do) and bench test it to confirm failure. Then replace your shocks and the compressor (if failed), as this is fairly easy to do, if you do any wrenching.


Go to GMPartsDirect.com, enter your VIN, go to the Suspension section, and look for the exploded diagram showing the shocks. You should find what you are looking for along with the correct part number. And, the cost will be significantly cheaper than the local dealer. And, I believe that the air shocks are now warrantied for life.

Thankyou, yes the bladders are shot, last night with key on engine off I did verify the compressor relay did kick on but only for a few short seconds before clicking off without hearing any compressor noise, I may have heard a slight tick from the compressor are when using remote start. so it does tell me that there is power and my compressor is shot. But with that being said even with a shot compressor, shouldn’t the relay stay on for the duration of the complete self check cycle?

I’m no mechanic, I wouldn’t call myself a “back yard mechanic” either, it would seem insulting to true mechanics out there. But I do work on my own vehicle and all of my family’s vehicles also. Replacing the suspension isn’t going to be an issue for me. I have all the parts in my cart online , I just want to make sure that there’s not something I’m missing before going through with it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Thankyou, yes the bladders are shot, last night with key on engine off I did verify the compressor relay did kick on but only for a few short seconds before clicking off without hearing any compressor noise, I may have heard a slight tick from the compressor are when using remote start. so it does tell me that there is power and my compressor is shot. But with that being said even with a shot compressor, shouldn’t the relay stay on for the duration of the complete self check cycle?

I’m no mechanic, I wouldn’t call myself a “back yard mechanic” either, it would seem insulting to true mechanics out there. But I do work on my own vehicle and all of my family’s vehicles also. Replacing the suspension isn’t going to be an issue for me. I have all the parts in my cart online , I just want to make sure that there’s not something I’m missing before going through with it.

Perhaps, there is a current overload protector that is still working that shuts off the relay after sensing a short circuit.

Sounds like you are on target for the project.

 

[Atrevino0497]

Perhaps, there is a current overload protector that is still working that shuts off the relay after sensing a short circuit.

Sounds like you are on target for the project.

That’s a possibility. I can confirm hear a slight click from the compressor every time key is on of if I listen carefully. I’m going to go ahead and just put a in new shocks, compressor and new hoses while I’m at it, I went ahead with the Dorman compressor . It’s better than stock because it has a thermal protection Software to keep it from burning out and better layering to keep moisture out of the system. Then take it to the Chevy dealership to clear any potential error codes, reset or reprogramming.

You could be right, the suspension system control module may have disabled the compressor when it detected a fault and probably can only be reset with an advanced scanner.