Air suspension drops as you drive
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Air suspension drops as you drive
Ok so I've been doing some research about the air ride on my 2003 GX470 and have not been able to figure out what's up with mine. Here is what's going on. When set at normal the suspension drop after setting for some time but if I set it at high before parking it for the night it will still be high in the morning. So I'd have to say no leaks. I have exercised the suspension and does not make a difference. I can raise it to high before driving and it will drop all the way down to low with in about 1 mile and start to beat you to death. But when you stop at a red light for a little time it will start to pump the suspension back up. I was thinking it could be the ride height sensor but after read some of the other treads it does not match to me. It seem like the compressor will not turn on when drive down the road but only when stopped. Is there a sensor on the compressor that gone bad?
This all seems to have started right after I have new tire put on the vehicle. Could they have pull a wire loose or something?
This all seems to have started right after I have new tire put on the vehicle. Could they have pull a wire loose or something?
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I have pumped it up to high before parking it for the night and it did not drop at all after setting for 8 to 10 hours. It will still be high in the morning that tells me no leaks.
#6
It starts acting erratically when the air bags leak.
Mine would be fine one day and stay at the same height and dropped down the next.
Logically, you would think if something leaked air, it would be consistent, but for a variety of reasons, sometimes the leak happens, and sometimes it doesn't.
Do some more troubleshooting to make sure, but the symptoms you're describing is probably how everyone's started out and if the rear bags are original, I would make a large bet they are the culprit.
I kept ignoring mine as it was so inconsistent, then one day it just dropped and just wouldn't reinflate anymore. Of course I was on a road trip when it happened.
Mine would be fine one day and stay at the same height and dropped down the next.
Logically, you would think if something leaked air, it would be consistent, but for a variety of reasons, sometimes the leak happens, and sometimes it doesn't.
Do some more troubleshooting to make sure, but the symptoms you're describing is probably how everyone's started out and if the rear bags are original, I would make a large bet they are the culprit.
I kept ignoring mine as it was so inconsistent, then one day it just dropped and just wouldn't reinflate anymore. Of course I was on a road trip when it happened.
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
It starts acting erratically when the air bags leak.
Mine would be fine one day and stay at the same height and dropped down the next.
Logically, you would think if something leaked air, it would be consistent, but for a variety of reasons, sometimes the leak happens, and sometimes it doesn't.
Do some more troubleshooting to make sure, but the symptoms you're describing is probably how everyone's started out and if the rear bags are original, I would make a large bet they are the culprit.
I kept ignoring mine as it was so inconsistent, then one day it just dropped and just wouldn't reinflate anymore. Of course I was on a road trip when it happened.
Mine would be fine one day and stay at the same height and dropped down the next.
Logically, you would think if something leaked air, it would be consistent, but for a variety of reasons, sometimes the leak happens, and sometimes it doesn't.
Do some more troubleshooting to make sure, but the symptoms you're describing is probably how everyone's started out and if the rear bags are original, I would make a large bet they are the culprit.
I kept ignoring mine as it was so inconsistent, then one day it just dropped and just wouldn't reinflate anymore. Of course I was on a road trip when it happened.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Yes I know it cannot be driven with the bags pumped all of the way up. But it's like when it but it's like when it lowers it to normal it just keeps right on going down to low.
#9
Thanks for the reply, what troubleshooting would you recommend I do. I would have thought that if it was a small air leak the compressor would keep it at least somewhat pumped up as I as I drive down the road. I know if the compressor ran for too long it would automatically shut off but it's like the only time it will run is when you are stopped. For example this morning it was all the way down on the axle when I pulled out of the driveway driving at a low speed and coming to the first stop sign you come to it had already started to Pump It Up to normal. But then when I got on the straightaway for about a block or so it dropped down to the lowest point again. But when I came to the next stop sign it started to pump it back up again.
Again, mine would be fine one day and the next day really low and then go through that cycle again.
Maybe spray some soapy water on the rear air bags and see if bubbles start forming?
There is additional troubleshooting you can do on things like the sensors, but you'd have to find a service manual to see the steps. Sensor problems are pretty rare though, air bag problems are pretty much the norm with the age of your car.
#10
Thanks for the reply, what troubleshooting would you recommend I do. I would have thought that if it was a small air leak the compressor would keep it at least somewhat pumped up as I as I drive down the road. I know if the compressor ran for too long it would automatically shut off but it's like the only time it will run is when you are stopped. For example this morning it was all the way down on the axle when I pulled out of the driveway driving at a low speed and coming to the first stop sign you come to it had already started to Pump It Up to normal. But then when I got on the straightaway for about a block or so it dropped down to the lowest point again. But when I came to the next stop sign it started to pump it back up again.
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks BradTank and ALAN553
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
#12
My air bags behaved exactly as you've described at 87k before I replaced them with new Arnott bags. I could air them up and as soon as I hit a few potholes or speed bumps they would deflate and I would bounce off the rear bump stops until I stopped and took the time to re-inflate.
The removal/installation is really straight forward. There is one air line and a flat clip on the top of each bag and the bottom just rests on the axle. The top of the driver side bag is pretty cramped and much easier if you have smallish arms. I would also recommend cutting the air lines really close to the fitting versus trying to remove them from the old bags if you use the Arnott bags.
Cole
The removal/installation is really straight forward. There is one air line and a flat clip on the top of each bag and the bottom just rests on the axle. The top of the driver side bag is pretty cramped and much easier if you have smallish arms. I would also recommend cutting the air lines really close to the fitting versus trying to remove them from the old bags if you use the Arnott bags.
Cole
#13
Thanks BradTank and ALAN553
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
#14
Thanks BradTank and ALAN553
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
Ok from what you two are saying it's the air bags put before I go spend the $$$$ on them. I need to understand something.
How the the height control system works. So I know you can only adjust the height stoped or below 25mph. So does that mean that's the only time the compressor will operate? It will not operate when you are driving down the road?
If if this is correct it would explain why the suspension drops as I drive but the starts to pump back up when I stop.
Also how difficult are the air bags to replace. I am mechanical, I've replace all the struts on my 2002 Avalon.
#15
Driver School Candidate
OP what was issue? I have a similar problem. If I set my bags to H they stay inflated while parked. It does seem like when I initially drive, they adjust to N and seem to remain inflated UNTIL I slow down below a certain amount (18 mph?). At this point, they deflate within a few minutes and the ride becomes clunky and then bouncy or is it bouncy then clunky. At this point switching it manually from N to L will begin pumping air into the bags as they are deflated . That's what is throwing me off. Why does it remain inflated on the initial move from H to N until the first time I slow below 18 then the deflation starts. It's like it's being triggered to deflate when going under 18 mph even though the icon says N. The compressor does not seem to run while driving unless I come to a stop light and manually hit the switch. Ideas?
Last edited by SOTF; 12-31-18 at 09:57 AM.