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Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349048] Mon, 07 October 2019 21:06 Go to next message
traveler1980 is currently offline  traveler1980   United States
Messages: 24
Registered: September 2019
Location: Gettysburg, PA
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Junior Member
Hi All,

I am having a problem with the compressor for the air ride system in my coach. It has an Electro-level 1, but the compressor is a Viair installed by the PO. When the coach is running (or in the acc position) the compressor tell tale light will come on with the middle switch in Auto and I can hear a click in the compressor compartment (relay or solenoids?) Unfortunately, that is all that happens. The compressor does not actually come on.

The coach has lock offs and can be aired up from schrader valves above the wheel wells, so not a showstopper but I want to get the problem fixed.

What steps do you recommend I follow to diagnose the issue? I don't want to simply start replacing things. I plan to work on it over the next few weeks.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!


Jamie Sharp
South Central PA (Gettysburg area)
'76 Palm Beach, AKA "Grumble"
Re: Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349049 is a reply to message #349048] Mon, 07 October 2019 21:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
Messages: 782
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
Senior Member
A couple things come to mind..

1... ground the compressor and bring a direct hot line of power to the compressor and see if it even runs.. if it doesn't.....maybe step #2( plus the cost of a new compressor)...
2... these systems can be expensive to completely rebuild back to a stock working system . Maybe think about a newer upgraded system. Keith V has the microlevel. And Jim Hupy has his air system, and Jim K has a system. A newer system could be cheaper in the long run..

I like step #2.....
Good luck,
Scott.


Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas

[Updated on: Mon, 07 October 2019 21:46]

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Re: Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349054 is a reply to message #349048] Tue, 08 October 2019 06:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   Canada
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
Senior Member
Did you check all fuses in the "house".....the click is the relay which is good, now you need to see if you have power/ground to the compressor.

If you do and the compressor can be verified as failed then just get a rebuild kit or replace it.


Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
Re: Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349055 is a reply to message #349054] Tue, 08 October 2019 06:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
traveler1980 is currently offline  traveler1980   United States
Messages: 24
Registered: September 2019
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Karma: 0
Junior Member
I'll check the house fuses. Does the compressor run off of the house, though? I thought it ran off of the 30amp breaker in the chassis fuse block. Then again, who knows what's been changed in the last 40 years.

Sounds like the general first step is determine if there's power to the compressor, so that'll be the first thing that I investigate.


Jamie Sharp
South Central PA (Gettysburg area)
'76 Palm Beach, AKA "Grumble"
Re: Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349057 is a reply to message #349048] Tue, 08 October 2019 08:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
I'm betting no power to the ViAir, they last pretty well. As long as the valves work, the system works well - I got on in the 26'. As someone noted, parts can run to some money. Get power to thye compressor and troubleshoot from there if you need to.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Air Ride Compressor Issue [message #349058 is a reply to message #349057] Tue, 08 October 2019 08:07 Go to previous message
Justin Brady is currently offline  Justin Brady   United States
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
Senior Member
First check for voltage at the compressor. Multimeter.
If you've got voltage at the connection try running power directly to it and see if it runs. If not: bad compressor. (unlikely)

Next I'd have a look at the pressure switch, if it's a new viair switch they do go bad, especially if it's an off brand. The Old ones also go bad as they are pushing 50 these days and become brittle.



Justin Brady http://www.thegmcrv.com/ 1976 Palm Beach 455
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