Scenario or what if ?

Raped Ape

Raped Ape

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I have a what if ? or a coincidental ?

Mind you that this is a low mileage never have experienced any kind of issue in the past car. But, the other day I changed out the fuel filter, and in doing this task I turned off the air ride switch and jacked up the front P/S and removed the tire for ease of removing the filter. I completed the task and reinstalled the tire and lowered it back down and turned the air ride switch back to the on position. The next morning I stepped into my garage and noticed the car leaning to the right, and thought nothing of it and got in it and let it level back out. The very next day the car was completely deflated in the front only, and the same the next day. SSo before jumping to all so many conclusions and thinking I may have a air ride issue, I figured it maybe something that may just be fixed by resetting the computer. So last night I went and disconnected the battery and let it sit for a minute or two, reconnected it and reset all my driver settings to where I like them and left it alone over night. I go to check on it this morning and it did not deflate nor lean.

So my ? is did my thought process of disconnecting the battery to reset everything fix this or is it a coincidence that it did not deflate? Air ride has never been an issue, the bags are crack free and like new condition, all ride sensors are in new condition and all lines are free of leaks. I have never heard the pump hissing or relieving pressure of any kind.

So I gave you the scenario, is this a coincidence or not? It all started the same night in which I changed the fuel filter, and resetting the computer seems at this time to be a cure. But is it again another coincidence?
 
I once pulled into a steep driveway that had a small incline to start with, flattened out for the side walk, then went steep again. When I went to leave, my ass end was lowriding and I got the check suspension message. I did the same thing you did and have never had a problem since.
 
Let it air up and level in the evening and shut off the air ride switch. That will take the electronics out of the equation.
 
DieselDan said:
Let it air up and level in the evening and shut off the air ride switch. That will take the electronics out of the equation.
Click to expand...
+1

Could have been a glitch or could be the height sensor got some crud on it from going full stroke.
 
I think it was just a fluke, coincidence or what not. Since I reset it last night, it has not been an issue so far. Hopefully it is over with. I throughly went thru all the bags, sensors and motor and saw not a crack nor wear on anything. So I am keeping my fingers crossed.
 
I have been taking LaserSVT's advice on looking at my front bag deflation problem and still is an issue. I took the solenoids out just now from the front bags, I replaced the D/S o-rings, then went to the P/S and when Ipulled the solenoid out, it is missing the tip that pushes in and out, one of the o-rings was stretched and half off, probably from when I pulled it out. But with that cap missing, could this be my problem. I am thinking that the cap is in someway a check valve with it being able to open and close, correct me if I am wrong, here are the pics of the P/S solenoid.
SD531485.jpg

SD531486.jpg

SD531485.jpg


SD531486.jpg
 
That cap holds on a second o-ring. That is more then likely the issue with the leak. Need to replace that solinoid.
When you said cap in a PM I thought you were talking about that little orange ring where the line goes in.
 
The cap on the D/S solenoid when I took it out slide up and down being locked in by the fork tabs, the 2 o-rings are below that cap with a teflon spacer between the two o-rings on the solenoid shaft, you have to roll the o-rings over that said cap. And further more, how in the hell did it disappear. The solenoid would have to be out to get the cap off?
 
That cap isnt supposed to move. You may need two.
As for the cap missing, someone pulled it apart at some point it seems.
 
Bill, the cap if you look at one of your spare ones is a slider with the air supply port in the center under the cap, that is why I am saying I think that it is a check valve, when the air pressure is at spec, it applies pressure to the cap to close off, then when it starts to pump air into the bag, it forces the cap up to allow air in, then when the air stops pumping into the bag, the cap is forced down to close it off. That is the way I see it, I maybe wrong, but mechanically that is the only way I see the purpose of it.
 
Yeah, i have two in my hands. Both do not have moving caps.
 
Long ago when I was trying to diagnose a suspension problem, I took a spare solenoid and cut that whole top off of a front sensor with a razor blade and stuck it in one of the rear bags. It has nothing to do witht the sealing or operation of the bag. The rings that seal the bag are the 2 that are stacked with the spacer in between them. That top part may still be stuck in the bag, and it only holds a small filter to keep debris out of the solenoid's moving parts.
 
DieselDan said:
The rings that seal the bag are the 2 that are stacked with the spacer in between them. That top part may still be stuck in the bag, and it only holds a small filter to keep debris out of the solenoid's moving parts.
Click to expand...

this was always my understanding.
 
Well, I went ahead and replaced all the o-rings on the solenoids, and reinstalled them. The only one that did not have that cap was the front P/S. I will see if the o-rings work, and if not and the front still deflates in the morning, then I will take a change of clothes with me to work and when I get off, stop by the JY and pick up 4 solenoids and swap one at a time till I find the culprit. If this is even the problem. Like I mentioned earlier, the car only has 67k in miles and the air ride is in excellent shape for a low mileage one. Just keep at it and eventually I will find the problem I guess, process of elimination of sorts.
 
DieselDan said:
That top part may still be stuck in the bag,
Click to expand...

First thing I thought of and I took the shop light and looked up in there and nothing in the port. SO either the cap was taken off by previous owner or shop and never put back on. Put I did replace all the o-rings on both front solenoids and left the teflon spacer in there to space them. I will see in the morning when I go to work. Always in the garage and I have tried to sit in the garage for up to 5-6 hours watching a few DVD to hear and watch it deflate but never deflated so it only happens after 8-10 hrs of being parked.
 
LaserSVT said:
Cap in red circle is not supposed to move.
Click to expand...

That is a different solenoid than that of mine in the picture. The black shaft where the o-rings are is shorter in length than mine, that might be a aftermarket or TC or Continental or rear solenoid, do not know Bill. But definitely different than my front 2. You can tell the difference in the 2 pics I posted earlier.
 
chris2523 said:
mine look like this.

with the cap and "marshmallow" filter underneath.
Click to expand...

That is what mine look like too, the cap is held in with the fork prongs and slides up and down with your finger or thumb easily and the only way to get it off is to depress the prongs inward.
 
Raped Ape said:
That is what mine look like too, the cap is held in with the fork prongs and slides up and down with your finger or thumb easily and the only way to get it off is to depress the prongs inward.
Click to expand...

that cap is not critical to holding air. i lost one of mine months ago and the front hasn't leaked down yet.
 
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