Rear Air Susp Symptoms - Where to Start?

[Firm]

Alright, a couple months back we purchased our 2006 Escalade (shorty) with a non-op rear air suspension, and I am just now getting around to investigating. I’ve never dealt with a system like this before so I am looking for some advice on where to start diagnosing….


Presently when you start the truck the air compressor runs for about 10-15 seconds and then shuts down, another 30-60 seconds go by and then the “service ride control” message pops up in the data centre. I usually clear the message using the steering wheel button and it never comes back until the next time the truck is restarted. It behaves exactly the same on every restart, whether it’s been sitting for 5 minutes for 5 days.


The truck seems to sit fine and even rides pretty good, which is why I waited a bit before messing with it.


Can anyone tell me what the symptoms above might indicate? Or how I should approach diagnostics on this? I do not have a GM scanner.

 

[abishoff]

some times when this happens to me, i pull the clip that holds the air line to the shock, remove the airline to let the air out of both shocks then re-install. that seems to work %100 of the time. to confirm everything is working on your air system, add 300# to the back and see if 1. it levels the truck out. and 2. if it holds air and stays level. this should point you in the right direction if your real issues.

 

[Searay45db]

Did you read the section on the Z 55? Good links and will help a lot. What code are you pulling after it goes off? The compressor is supposed to go on when it starts, so you must be leaking somewhere if its lighting up shortly after pumping.

 

[adventurenali92]

As said above if your compressor is coming on more than once while,the truck is running than there is a leak somewhere in the system. Either a shock is leaking or the bladders connected to the shock. I just replaced everything in July under the back of my 2006 Denali xl. Air lines, shocks, and compressor plus the labor for my buddy's shop to the work was less than $800. Not exactly the cheapest parts on the truck but still not bad if you end up having to replace the components. I got all my parts on eBay.