How I solved my Air Suspension Problem

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Panarama

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As you should. As a matter of fact, since this dude’s Mustang was so low to the ground, not only did I have to drive the back of my truck up on ramps to load and unload it but I also had to air the suspension up to off-road 2 mode just to get the back of the trailer down to the ground close enough just so he wouldn’t peel his front bumper off.

Hmmm, you got a problem then if it wouldn’t air up just from people sitting on the tail gate. Was there any warning messages that popped up on the screen?
Yep, some warnings about unable, max weight type messages. (It's been a few years)
 

dontbejelley

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I finally had enough of the air suspension problems and .
-removed the air struts and bags
-disconnected the air compressor
-coded out my computer (alfaobd)
-installed traditional coilovers and springs

I've been worry free for 6 months
Curt, I just joined this forum because i'm having the same issue as you. come out in the morning, on the bumps. Also, sometimes when driving in aero, it goes to bumps. just curious if your fix from the original post and walk through was only a temp fix, and you continued to have issues and that's why you went coilovers? Or was it working fine and you just decided that you wanted coilovers to never have to deal with the air ride quality issue again?

thanks
 

BWL

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Has anybody just removed the compressor and automatic part of the system and just tied the front and back air struts to regular shraeder valves so it worked manually instead of switching to coils. Should in theory ride the same, just not be automatic. I keep a little battery powered compressor in the truck anyways. Now that mine's getting finicky again with a cold snap. I still have warranty, but with the dealers around me booked for 4 weeks it's not good for much. Spend as much on a rental as it would cost to gut it out of pocket waiting to get the truck in.
 
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jamesampm

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My 2018 Limited has that 4 corner air suspension problem that the fuse kept blowing out. I saw someone in the northern state replaced the fuse with an auto-reset breaker, so I tried and I haven't had any problem since except two times, but it resets and works completely fine. It's been one year without burning my pocket for replacement fuses.
Mine is doing the same thing right now, where did you find this auto reset breaker?
 

jamesampm

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the auto reset will allow teh compressor to start up again but did it clear the error for you?
 

goggles

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Great writeup on the pdf, I saved it and going to do a bit of a study on the air system, Im in the process of buying a new 2023 Limited, Im proficient with air systems and I know how to care for them, the question is do I want too, I can order a truck and delete on order, but how long is the wait, I can go and see what stock is available, there will be way more Limiteds in stock with air, I also want Ram boxes, if this was the case, I would move the breather and exhaust tubes out of the taillight compartment and into the Ram box via drain hole and modified drain cap, this makes the accessibility much easier, I would love to relocate the compressor into the Ram box but that would become a heat and warranty issue, I can take care of the heat and grounding issue, but then again if falls into the warranty trap, day one of truck delivery, at home I would go behind tail light and put some anti seize of the air filter/somewhat of a dryer, metal blocks and joints would be treated to make them more corrosion resistant, and periodically re-treat, there are much better air dryers out there that can be put inline, but again what about the warranty, I love everything about air ride, but should I wake up in the morning of purchase day and say to myself, do I feel like caring for air ride and mostly, do I feel lucky.
 

JoeGo88

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@Curt Gobbell This is an awesome post with great diagrams. I am having the same issues with my truck and would like to keep the air suspension if possible. What other problems did you run into after fixing replacing the manifold? How long did the manifold fix last for?
 
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Curt Gobbell

Curt Gobbell

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My front struts never gave me issues, but my rears would randomly leak down and finally caused the pump to overheat
 

Midas

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I have a 2013 ram 1500 lariat with air suspension. I am using alfaobd and replaced the air compressor, valve block, both rear bags and a sensor. somehow i screwed up the calibration and im stuck. Alfaobd says i need to calibrate ride height sensora but i dont know how. Does anyone know how to do this with alfaobd?
thanks
 

SpaceRanger1

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I had my Air Suspension fail at 205k+... After fighting with the Dealer NOT wanting to level truck left to right.. Off (1"). I did my own research with AlfaOBD software and cabling, and this is the place to get your parts from.. They have EVERYTHING for ANY air ride system and quarter the cost!!! They also buy back some of your old parts.
Check them out!!!
 
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SpaceRanger1

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I have a 2013 ram 1500 lariat with air suspension. I am using alfaobd and replaced the air compressor, valve block, both rear bags and a sensor. somehow i screwed up the calibration and im stuck. Alfaobd says i need to calibrate ride height sensora but i dont know how. Does anyone know how to do this with alfaobd?
thanks
Do you have it on laptop or phone??
Fairly simple.. Do you have the M+ module or you hard linking it to laptop??
I really need to talk you threw it..
 

RebelReaper

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My truck (2014 with factory air suspension) would randomly lower both rear corners evenly to the bump stops
  • Usually happened at night
  • It would correct itself after I started the truck
  • Frequency of occurrence was 1-2 times per week
It would look like this :(

View attachment 248894


So, over a several week period I documented several approaches to isolate the issue and I have attached them to this thread.

I'm happy to report that the issue was a faulty air suspension manifold (also called a valve block). These manifolds cost $250 new, but I found one on eBay for $60 used and it has worked perfectly for several months.:banana-mario:
Hey Curt, first off thank you for the phenomenal tutorial, really helping me out as I prepare to make some repairs to my air suspension system.

I went ahead and took it to the dealer for diagnostics and they said the compressor needs replaced and quoted me $2,200

That being said I am going to replace my compressor and valve block, I am just curious if there is a certain procedure for bleeding the air before starting? Or what best practice is there?

Any information from anybody is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much in advance to everybody in the forum. This is my first post but I have learned a lot here and hope to share knowledge I'm the future.

Best Regards!
 

MMM

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I had the same problem on my 2015 after the freeze here in Texas. FCA refused to fix a know problem with their product (none of the air springs have a leak. I will be selling those). I had fought with it for 9 months and decided to have the suspension changed out for a conventional coil over system. Best decision. Truck rides at a normal height, I still can haul our BSA scout trailer and I never have to worry about it every again. I will be joining the class action lawsuit regarding this issue as it is a safety issue stated in their service bulletin. Dealer wanted over $4,000 to troubleshoot and fix the problem. I took it to Allout Offroad and had it all replaced for just over $1,800. Again, best decision.
Just started having the cooldown message yesterday on my 2014. Front air bags are on the bump-stops. Now I have to decide, repair, convert to regular suspension, or if I could keep it running for a month longer, I would just get rid of it at this point. Too bad as I love the truck. 2014 with 47k miles.

Dealer wants $4,800 to repair, so I am looking to maybe fix myself, or do an air delete.
 
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MMM

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Do you have it on laptop or phone??
Fairly simple.. Do you have the M+ module or you hard linking it to laptop??
I really need to talk you threw it..
I ran across this video yesterday for that, using alphaODB.
Is this what you are asking?
 

Suttles13

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If
My truck (2014 with factory air suspension) would randomly lower both rear corners evenly to the bump stops
  • Usually happened at night
  • It would correct itself after I started the truck
  • Frequency of occurrence was 1-2 times per week
It would look like this :(

View attachment 248894


So, over a several week period I documented several approaches to isolate the issue and I have attached them to this thread.

I'm happy to report that the issue was a faulty air suspension manifold (also called a valve block). These manifolds cost $250 new, but I found one on eBay for $60 used and it has worked perfectly for several months.:banana-mario:
If you replace the compressor and valve block does it dispel the nitrogen, or is that an outside component from the closed loop nitrogen. I have a brand new compressor/block for my 2016 ram and didn’t know if I’d need the equipment to recharge the nitrogen to complete the job. Thanks for any advice!
 
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Curt Gobbell

Curt Gobbell

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Whenever you open the closed system to replace a component, you let some nitrogen out (even if you valve off the affected line)

Unless you vacuum the system and replace with pure nitrogen, you will always have some moisture in the system.
 
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Curt Gobbell

Curt Gobbell

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Yiu can install the compressor and valve block and test the system without the nitrogen, but it may void your warranty on the parts.
 
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