Air shocks adjusting at stoplights?

[crunde85]

Does anybody know if it is normal for my air shocks to adjust when I come to a stop? I can hear them inflate about 15 seconds after I start the car, and also about every other stoplight/sign. Am I loosing pressure? It seems to drive fine.

[rustyroger]

No, it's not normal, you are losing pressure slowly, start looking for a new pair.
The compresser can cope with the leak right now but it will get worse, and the compressor isn't designed for constant use.

Roger.

[00Beast]

While I agree they're probably shot and need replacement, do a little detective work. If your shocks are leaking fluid, then yeah, they're dead. Otherwise spray the fittings and lines with some soapy water while the compressor is powered up and see if any bubbles form due to leaking air.

You'll want the Monroe MA822, $65 a pair from Rock Auto.

[crunde85]

Thanks for the replys. I forgot to mention I put these shocks on a month ago. They are Monroe MA822s. Maybe a leak in the line?

[00Beast]

Yeah, inspect the lines and the fittings.

[repinS]

I will say though, it's normal for the compressor to run about 15 seconds after starting the car. It's not normal when you're at stoplights.

[00Beast]

[RJolly87]

Unless . . . The stoplight has you stopped on an up hill incline soon after a flat road, or leaning to the side of the leveling arm.

I park in a sloped driveway and it levels after I park.

[Ken_W]

I've started having a similar problem, except that the compressor comes on randomly and stays on for a long time (up to a minute) with no repeatible pattern. I've noticed that if I hit the brakes, jarring the car forward, it instantly shuts off (and stays off for a while).

Could this be the ride height sensor (attached to the rear-left control arm)? Like the original poster, I too recently changed my rear shocks (about two months ago). At one point I forgot to support the left-hand wheel, and the little arm on the sensor was still attached. Perhaps this damaged it? (In which case the solution would be to simply replace it?)

Ken_W

[crunde85]

Yeah I havent had the time to check all the fittings and hoses. But I also have jacked up the car while letting the drivers side rear tire extend all the way down. Is this bad for the sensor?? Im not even sure how to check the fittings and hoses except for using soapy water around the connections. Kinda stumped on this one.

[imidazol97]

But I also have jacked up the car while letting the drivers side rear tire extend all the way down.

That's only when the shock on the left side is unbolted--that lets the suspension drop farther than normal and that's beyond the travel for the height sensor.

Im not even sure how to check the fittings and hoses except for using soapy water around the connections. Kinda stumped on this one.

I believe my hoses clipped onto the struts with a wire clip after they're on. I'd take each one off, clean with a cloth, then reassemble. Maybe there's dirt on one of the fittings.

Then use slightly soapy water to test all along the hoses back to the compressor. Check the connections at the compressor for leaking air.

[crunde85]

I may have let the wheel sag slightly down past the travel point when putting on the new shocks. Is there a way to test the sensor with a multimeter/ohm-meter?

Is the compressor easy to get at? I assume its in the trunk?

[imidazol97]

I may have let the wheel sag slightly down past the travel point when putting on the new shocks. Is there a way to test the sensor with a multimeter/ohm-meter?

Is the compressor easy to get at? I assume its in the trunk?

The sensor would be causing too much air to be put into the shocks raising the car too high or keeping the rear too low IF it were damaged.

I'd go after leakage and hope it's from a line or connection.

The compressor is under the rear of the car.

Turn the key to ON and move to the rear of the car. After about 30 seconds the pump will run for a few seconds to adjust the air pressure initially. It will be under the rear, just inside the subframe so that it's protected somewhat.

Get out the soapy water and a wet hand towel to spread water over the lines.

[95elite]

Did you ever solve your problem? Im having a similar issue, but my pump isn't constantly running, and you can feel the pressure build up in the bladder in the struts..couldn't find any significant leaks with soapy water, but within a half hour or less, the struts seem to dump all the air out. Just wondering if theres a positive way to tell if it's the struts or not..

[Ken_W]

I just got my compressor gremlins solved by fixing some broken wires at an electrical plug/connector that had an orange rubber seal in the middle. My compressor would come on randomly; at stop lights, and sometimes while driving, and would stay on for up to a minute sometimes. With those wires fixed, it is back to normal operation.

The broken wires were easily spotted from underneath the car. Two of four wires going into the connector were broken.

Ken_W