Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:36 pm, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
After the long wait the Soarer finally arrived today. When I saw the car on the carrier (this was a double or tandem) I knew that there was a problem. The front suspension had sagged all the way down and the rear was pumped all the way up, with the right rear the highest and the left front the lowest. As the car was unloaded, the front spoiler kept rubbing and when it was reversed on to the second trailer, the ramp was lower and there was a sort of step. They managed to get the car off without ripping the spoiler off, but I have not been able to reset the suspension.
I have tried switching it off then on again, off the killing the engine, the turning it on again, but nothing has helped. Also I cant hear the compressors going, so it might be an issue.
Any suggestions?
I will give details of the rest of the l=car later.
Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:05 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Do a search on air suspension problems. I've posted up heaps of stuff. Disconnect battery for AT LEAST 15 to 20 minutes. Check the plug for the air compressor and try connecting 12v directly to it. Plugs get dirty and high resistance. Fuses for pump and air suspension (drivers kick panel fuse box). And don't forget the simple stuff like the boot switch. Left front strut is always first to go...but could be just the pump, especially if not driven for a while. Height sensors can be faulty.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 12:08 am, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
Hi Mark
Okay I have looked at several threads and the first thing that I want to try is to reset the air suspension computer. Disconnect for min of 15 min.
During this time will the car settle back down? Do I have to do anything else at this stage? I also read that you have to drive it for 5-10 min to let it settle. Take it that this after the reset?
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 08:11 am, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Yes it won't always come back to the right height without driving it a bit.. Nothing else to do while waiting the 15 minutes. Maybe pull the battery out and redo the chassis connection for the negative battery cable that is directly behind it. They don't clean the paint off when fitting that and so it relies on the bolt thread for connection, fine when the car is new but 15 years on is a bit of an ask. The paint is really thick there too. Many electrical problems come down to this connection. Worth doing anyway. The other thing may be to pull the solenoids apart and clean them. Don't do that until you're sure the pump is working as it WILL let all the air out of the system.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 11:36 am, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
No Joy with the reset, so I will check the compressor and plugs next, but before I do that I have a few questions. I read in one of the post about water in the compressors, how do you remove the water?
If all is working right, will the car lower itself when it is parked and switched off?
When I go top the right front, I can hear the compressor pumping, (I think) but nothing when in the car.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 01:15 pm, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
I got the car thru an ad and had it checked out and all was fine and the height adjust was working right up to the point where the transporter loaded it.
I have checked and the compressor is working, but the left front will not maintain the height. There is obviously a leak somewhere as the front left wont maintain the height nor is it able to get to full height.
I have switched off the pump so that it will not burn out and not drive the car in the mean time. sigh!
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 02:29 pm, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Probably can't prove it was the transporter's fault. And it might not have been, until the fault is properly diagnosed, I don't think any conclusions should be drawn at all.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 03:04 pm, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
I cant say whose fault it is but I do have a picture of the car just before it was picked up. I figured that I would play it save have pictures at time of collection to show the physical shape of the car. The suspension was at the right height at the time.
I do know that I would have a hard time trying to proof that it happened during transportation, but I will still try to file a complaint and keep my fingers crossed.
I shouldn't have been watching when the car was unloaded. It was so painful to see the spoiler being scrapped and pulled forward. Luckily it seem to be no worse for the wear.
The front left is buggered, so it's into the shop on Monday. So the pits inspection and registration will have to wait. Ah well........
Any one have a front left strut? Are the front ones interchangeable?
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 03:18 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Does it pump up at all when the pump is running? If so it is safe to pull the solenoid valves apart and clean 'em out (simple job). the front solenoids are just in front of the compressor below RH headlight. Take the cover off so you can put your hand on the pump motor while running. If there is no vibration the actual pump isn't pumping when the motor turns it. Glazed up bore or broken piston rings in the pump (rings are nylon I think, any pump repair type place should be able to find some to fit. It's been done before. Just disassembly and cleaning can fix them, at least temporarily). The suspension computer senses pump motor current and won't let it run forever, a trap for people sometimes when playing with height settings and they think it's broken 'cos the compressor won't work. 15 minutes later it works fine.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 03:29 pm, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
No even with the pump on for a while, it is not at full height, at least I do not think so, but it does go up. It sinks very quickly when the motor is off.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 03:43 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
In that case you should be able to hear where the air is coming out. Solenoids and control valve, airline ripped (likely as it has been transported) or airbag. (how was it tied down? could have snagged an airline). Since it will pump up it is safe to pull stuff apart and check. Just be aware that it can take a while to come up if you let all the air out when disconnecting solenoids etc.
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 06:06 pm, by: Charlie Hooper(Charlie)
I thought there'd be some sort of a valve on the airbag itself stopping air escaping if an airline was ripped? If I'm wrong then my shock going down may just be a hose as I can hear the leak inside the engine bay but not near the shock.. The problem is there's no fricking room to try to locate it better..
Friday, March 10, 2006 - 06:44 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Nup. Rip the airline out of the solenoid valves and she drops like a stone.
The struts are not interchangeable.
P.S. Make sure all appendages are clear when pulling that airline out!!!! It WILL hurt if, for instance, you have your spare hand resting on top of the tyre when you do it ( a natural position...as I found out the hard way)
Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 12:50 am, by: Alfred Heng(Alfred)
Can't hear any noise or air leaks on the front left, but the pump is making funny sounds. Unfortunately I don't have any space to work on the car, but will have access to some workshop space on Monday and will take a closer look then. Just sad that I can't drive it this weekend, but I figured, I have waited so long, a few more days won't kill.
Have taken a closer look at the rest of the car and I am confident that it will come out great after a detail and the full 100km service. I wish I didn't have to cut the paint, but will have no choice.
All fluids actually look fine but I have decided to change them ALL. She will get a new cam belt and water pump at the same time and new idler bearings as well as leads and Platinum plugs.
Will also put in new LCA bushes which I ordered from Andrew when I bought the car. The set that is on the car actually looks ok, only one has a small crack in it, but I figured I'd just get it all done at one go.
My main priority is to get the car running well then I will worry about the cosmetics. The wheels are nice, but 2 of then have bad gutter rash. Need to find someone who will let me use a wheel balancer so that I can turn down the rim face.
I suspect that I will be spending quite a bit of time on the car over the next few weeks! Will start a new thread when she is ready for showing.
Mark if it is the motor or solenoid, will I be able to get replacements easily?
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