Principles of Operation
Vehicle Dynamic Suspension
Special Tool(s)
Principles of Operation
WARNING: Do not remove an air spring under any circumstances when there is pressure in the air spring. Do not remove any components supporting an air spring without either exhausting the air or providing support for the air spring to prevent vehicle damage or personal injury.
WARNING: Disconnecting an air line that is connected to the air compressor can cause personal injury or damage to components as high pressure air is vented uncontrolled.
WARNING: Before repairing or installing any air suspension component(s), turn off the air suspension switch or disconnect the battery ground cable to prevent vehicle damage or personal injury.
WARNING: Do not attempt to install or inflate any air spring that has become unfolded to prevent vehicle damage or personal injury.
WARNING: Failure to observe the following procedures may result in sudden failure of the suspension system.
WARNING: Any air spring which is unfolded must be refolded prior to being installed in a vehicle.
WARNING: The air spring refolding procedure should not be used for an air spring, which has never supported the vehicle's weight while in the correctly folded position.
WARNING: Vehicles with an incorrectly folded air spring(s) found after the vehicle has been driven, must have a new air spring instated.
WARNING: Do not attempt to inflate any air spring which has collapsed while deflated from the rebound hanging position to the jounce stop.
WARNING: When installing a new air spring, care must be taken to not apply a load to the suspension until the air spring have been inflated using the air spring fill procedure.
WARNING: After installing an air spring in the hanging portion, it must be inspected for proper shape.
NOTE: The scan tool may be used in place of the Super Star II Tester.
The air suspension system is deponed to improve ride handling and general vehicle drying performance.
Air Suspension Control Module
A microprocessor controls the ad suspension system. The microprocessor and its supporting hardware are contained in the air suspension control module. The air suspension control module responds to signals from various sensors in the vehicle to maintain the programmed ride height while the vehicle is either moving or stopped. The air suspension control module accomplishes this by opening and closing solenoid valves to control the amount of air in the air spring(s). The air suspension control module tunes on the compressor by applying voltage through the compressor relay to inflate the air spring(s) and raise the vehicle. The air suspension control module opens the vent solenoid to lower the vehicle by releasing air from the air spring(s)in response to signal inputs from the air suspension height sensor(s).
Air Suspension Switch
CAUTION: The air suspicion switch must be turned to the OFF position when the vehicle is hoisted, jacked, towed, jump started, or raised off the ground, to avoid unnecessary operation of the system sad possible damage to the air suspension system components.
The air suspension switch provides a signal to the air suspension control module in the ON position to activate the system to maintain the programmed vehicle height.
Air Compressor
NOTE: The compressor contains a thermal overload circuit breaker. The circuit breaker automatically resets after a cool down period and after being if tripped by excessive compressor motor heat.
The air compressor assembly consists of the compressor pump, electric motor and vent solenoid (must be installed as an assembly).
Air Suspension Height Sensor
The air suspension height sensor sends signers to the air suspension control module. There are three possible conditions that the air suspension control module interprets from the signals of the air soon height sensors. The conditions are trim height, below tom height, or above trim height.
Solenoid Valve, Air Spring
WARNING: Never rotate an air spring solenoid valve to the release slot in the air spring end cap fitting until all pressurized air has escaped from the air spring to prevent vehicle damage or personal injury.
The air spring solenoid valve allows air to enter and exit the rear air springs during height adjustment operations. The air spring solenoid valve is electrically operated and controlled by the air suspension control module.
Steering Sensor
The steering sensor provides the steering rate and position to the air suspension control module to avoid overcompensation of the on suspension during turns.