Took the plunge today. Took Compressor for ARC off , checked all wiring which with all doors/tailgate shut were live with engine running.Reconnected everything whilst compressor unbolted so could see & check. then with engine running moved Height Sensor up/down & compressor came to life & inflated shocks.
I watched and listened with engine running and compressor "clicked" every few minutes but did not inflate shocks.

Then I took the plunge and took Height sensor off,removed rubber gaiter and cleaned the inside.
While doing that I found the rubber gaiter has 2 or 3 small holes in it.

Is the Sensor supposed to be pressurised or a vacuum to work properly?
If it is then the holes would be the problem as the gaiter on Sensor would not do either
of the above ie: hold any pressure or keep a vacuum, IF its supposed to??

Does anyone know whether the above is right & the holes in the gaiter would
cause of the problem?? If yes could I get a replacement easily ???

 

I believe what you are seeing is normal. There should be vent holes for air to escape during rapid bounce so that the stem of th sensor does not break. If you get compressor operation but the air shocks do not inflate, try using shop air when the compressor is running to inflate the shocks. Probably a bad compressor.[sm=mail.gif]

 

Cheers Oldtimer for details.

The only thing I'm wondering is should it just be a "few" vent
holes so as to allow the air pressure to activate the sensor but to prevent damage?
The splits I'm seeing on my sensor are approx 1/2 inch & about 3 of them; there not just holes.
So would the splits let to much air out 2 quick therefore not letting the sensor work to its full capacity?

When I push the sensor up & down by hand the compressor does work & inflates the shocks!

 

Well, your telling yourself that the sensor works, just by activating the compressor when moving it. Is it mounted firmly and adjusted correctly?

 

The rubber gaiter is to protect the sensor. The sensor is not under pressure or vacuum, it takes a 5 volt referance voltage and depending on the lenght of the sensor returns a voltage to the processor. 4.75 volts when compressed to .25 volts when extended. From what you wrote it sounds to be working properly, what is the problem your having??

 

Thanks for your feedback jr78 & Oldtimer.

The problem I'm having is that when driving I don't hear the
compressor operating occassionally, as from all I've read I thought it should be.
Also when stationary when a door is opened & shut there is no
noise from compressor & when parked & engine off the suspension doesn't go down as I thought it should do after a while as it lets air out of the shocks.

As I've said when all is connected the wires going to the sensor, compressor etc are live and if I detatch the bottom of the sensor and move it up to compress or stretch, the compressor comes to life and pumps up the shocks.

The thing I'm wondering is are the 1/2" slits that are on the gaiter on the "ridges" due to wear & tear are allowing too much air out when its compressed & preventing the sensor to work to its full effect??

Sounds daft but I've thought about wrapping the gaiter up tightly with "cling film" to cover the slits to see if it makes a difference!!

 

If the vehicle sets at ride height properly and it does not sag overnight, why do you think you have a problem?[sm=mail.gif]

 

The system is only meant to level the rear of the car when you add wieght to it. It is not a fullair suspension only a self leveling system. It will only pump up the shocks when there is a load compressing the rear suspension not every time you drive the car. Hope that helps as it sound like it is working properly.