Problem with rear air ride

[bing98]

The auto leveling system in my 2000 SLE has suddenly been pumping up my rear shocks to the max. Super high like a punks hot rod from the 70s. Super firm as well. Periodically I hear what i suspect is a pressure relief valve hissing. Then the compressor kicks in for a bit.

I suspect it's the ride height sensor, but wanted to get some input before I went there. Anyone have experience with this?

Is there a way to test this? What happens if you disconnect the ride height sensor connector? What if I disco the link tot the control arm and manually move it? the suspension should adjust up or down if I move the sensor manually, correct?

Thanks

[sseilmnop]

Disconnect arm and it will pump all the way up. Pull the fuse and it should return to normal none functional.

[bing98]

Thanks for the suggestions. It's already at max height so I tried pulling the fuse.

Nothing happened with the car off so I started it. The suspension did not lower at all.

Put the fuse back in with power off and nothing happened. Turned the car back on and heard some pressure release followed by the compressor kicking in. The suspension did not lower at all.

Any more suggestions? If I disconnect the height sensor connector what would happen?

Thanks again

[redzmonte]

Ride level sensor might have failed.

S

[J Wikoff]

On my 92, I found the sensor arm had been knocked off the control arm one time, and it pumped the back end all the way up. The end of the arm got stuck on something higher, so it thought the rear end was low.

I think if you remove the connector from the diverter valve that splits air between the shocks and the outlet in the trunk, remove the ELC fuse, then press the valve stem in the trunk outlet, it will let the air out of the system. Maybe you can leave the diverter valve hooked up, I'm not sure.

When my level sensor outright died, twice, the rear end sagged.

[ddalder]

I've seen some of these where water has penetrated the sensor causing it to corrode. If you disconnect the arm, can you move the sensor mechanism freely, or does it appear to be binding? The sensor is probably the first place I'd start. Pull the connector off the sensor and check for signs of corrosion or water intrusion as well. This is a sealed connector so you want to make sure the housing seal and mating surfaces are clean before plugging it back in or you may create a new problem.