Air suspension system drastically improves your vehicle’s ability, control, and performance. The whole mechanics of the suspension system work on air-filled tubes and electronic circuits which control them. This new suspension system is ideal as heavy-duty vehicles and sports cars use it to optimise their performances. However, nonetheless, you will see some very burning problems in the air suspension system. They are very common and in most cases, each owner goes through that one day. See if you’re facing one of these issues or not. Read the article completely and get these.
– Common problems in the air suspension system & their respective solutions.
How to Find Out Whether Your Air Suspension Has Gone Wrong?
The only work of an air suspension system is to balance the vehicle of its weight and optimize its speed & performance. The very simplest effect you will notice is a sudden drop in the performance of the car. You will also feel discomfort while driving or losing the grip while turning the vehicle at sharp turns. However, here we are listing down some of the most common symptoms of a faulty air suspensions.
– Uneven ride height
– Rough handling
– Hearing extreme noises from the suspension
– Losing balance in sharp turns.
– Sagging on one side when the load is heavier than usual.
– Stuck on bumps or potholes.
– Airbag leakages
Also Read More – What You Need to Know About Air Bag Suspension?
Common Air Suspension System Problems and Solutions:
If you have been noticing such symptoms for quite some time then you should start thinking about repairing your air suspension system. The next step however is to find what’s wrong. The simplest answer would be to go to a mechanic and ask him/her to solve it. But well, whom we are talking to! For passionate car lovers like us, things should be more dramatic. Let’s find some of the most common failure points of air suspension issues and how to solve them.
Most Common Failure Points of Air Suspension System are as follows
– Air Spring
– AIR Dryer
– Compressor
– Airlines
1. Air Leakage:
The most common problem in an air suspension system is leaking airbags. If you know the working model of an air suspension system, you know what we are talking about. The air suspension system uses airbags instead of springs to resist uneven driving & load management. A compressor controlling the air passage fills the airbags whenever needed.
Sometimes the airbags start leaking or malfunctioning. This causes air to pass by that leakage if there’s only one. The airbags can’t create resistance to uneven roads. In most of the cases, the O-ring gets damaged or might fall as well.
All you need to do is to check the airbags for any leakages. If they are small in size, you can patch them but if they are large, you would need to replace the airbags.
2. Defective Air Lines:
The compressor uses airlines to fill the airbags. The compressor draws air from the environment and compresses air into the bags to make them bouncy. If you’re feeling uneven height & problems while balancing the vehicle, the airlines may have been clogged or broken.
Broken or clogged airlines will not let the air pass into airbags causing them to lose balance. In most cases, this happens due to overheating in the suspension system.
While inspecting the air suspension system, look for broken or clogged airlines. Remove them from the system and check the severity of their damage. If needed, replace them.
3. Loose Electrical Connection:
Today’s cars have automatic air suspension systems controlled by sensors & electrical wires. These wires connect air suspension components and control them dynamically. These connections become loose with time. There’s a possibility of them breaking down as well. More to it, the electric fuses can go faulty which can cause faults in the Electronic Control Module.
Check the electric cables carefully. If you find any loose connections, fix them immediately. If they have been broken, you need to replace them. In case of a faulty fuse, the only option left is replacement.
4. Malfunctioning Ride Height Sensor:
Smart air suspension system has height sensors to determine the dynamic height of the vehicle from the road. It sends signals to the ECM of the vehicle and starts operating the air suspension functioning. These sensors send signals throughout the drive and the air suspension controls the air accordingly. This is why you drive safely on both kinds of roads, bumpy & smooth.
When these sensors go faulty, they can send ECM wrong signals. Those inaccurate signals cause inappropriate leveling which further causes discomfort & imbalance.
First, locate the height sensors in your vehicle. It must be present in the strut assembly. If you see them faulty or worn out, the only way is to replace them.
Read More – Custom Air Bag Suspension Kits
5. Faulty Air Compressor:
An air compressor is the heart of an air suspension system. It compresses the air and passes it to airbags. Bouncy airbags make your driving smooth & comfortable. While the compressor is a vital organ of air suspension, the chances of it going faulty or damaged are also very high. It can be worn out with time or by any accident.
A damaged air compressor doesn’t send air to airbags. As a result, you feel an imbalance during the drive. There are numerous reasons behind the malfunctioning of the air compressor. This is due to several components present in the compressor only. These components are air filters, relief valves, pumps, check valves, relays, etc.
While checking for the faults, you must check the entire compressor system. If any of its components have worn out, you must replace it without a second thought.
Also, Check Air Bag Suspension lift kits for trucks
6. Faulty Electronic Control Module:
The Electronic Control Module is the device that catches the signals of the sensors and acts on them. It electronically operates the compressor and controls the right air pressure. This guides the compressor to create the right pressure inside the airbag. When the ECM starts malfunctioning, the air suspension will also not work properly.
If you have checked all the other issues mentioned above, the problem can be a faulty ECM. This is a serious issue and needs expertise. So we request you to go to your nearby mechanic and ask him/her to repair it or replace it if needed.
Conclusion:
Modern air suspension systems are electronically equipped with sensors, gears, automatic compressors, etc. Air suspension kits are great for improving your vehicle’s performance instantly. However, there are several very common faults you may see over time. In this article, we have covered the most common problems in air suspension systems and how to solve them. If you’re facing issues in driving your vehicle, you should check for your air suspension malfunctioning as we mentioned above.