The problem first started with front bags going down after about an hour,not all the way down but down. When I started it up the compressor would come on and time out and the check air ride would show. So I shut it off and restarted and the compressor would run and time out again but message would not show but it didn't seem pumped up enough even tho the error didn't come on. Now its down and staying down. The compressor comes on but there is no upward motion but yet after 2 starts as above the air ride message is not present. It's almost impossible now to find if there is anything leaking.
I installed Arnott Shocks and compressor at the same time about 6 yrs ago and have never had a problem until now. Don't want to go through process of elimination because of the cost but don't know what to do. Help

Sounds like there was some indication of a leaking front air spring, not unheard of on a 6 year old part. This is the problem with ignoring a problem when it first shows up, once the car is completely slammed with no hope of getting it back to normal ride height, it will be very difficult to troubleshoot.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

Is there any chance it's the compressor? The car had some air in it several days ago so I jacked it up took the right wheel off and inspected the fittings on the compressor. One didn't look right so I pulled it out and reinserted. When I let the car down thats when it went down and stayed down

With what you reported about it being low after parking for a while, it is far more likely that it is air springs that are leaking. However, if driven with leaking springs for a while, you may also find yourself needing a new compressor, as it was not designed to keep up with a leaking air spring, only the normal raising/lowering of a properly working system.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

My next question is if I energize the selenoid with an outside source of 12 volts and pump air from a compressor into the shock,just enough to stiffen the boot then switch the power off of the selenoid, first would that work and second would that then be a way to soap the shock to see if its leaking.

Yes you can energize the sensor by outside source 12 volts. It doesn't matter which wire is hooked to ground and which is positive as long as you aren't connecting to anything else, so I don't know how you would do that easily unless you cut the wires near the sensor. By activating the sensor (12 volts) its like turning on the switch which will open the valve/sensor, which allows the air to either enter or release. Removing power (12 volts) will immediately close the valve/sensor and hold in the pressurized air. Forcing air into the system is also another problem unless maybe removing the air line at the sensor and forcing air in at that point, but I don't know how easy that would be. A spray bottle with a little bit of detergent soap and water is an easy way to go. Look for leaks near the bottom of the fold. The more air forced into the bag, the easier to find the leaks. Also the more air forced into the bag, stretches out the bags length which helps expose the fold more, therefore finding the leak/leaks.

My mistake, sorry ---- when referring to sensors above -- it should have been solenoids. Senior moment/in a hurry!!!!!

Thanks for advice on the testing. I have not done it yet. Just to make sure I have all the bases covered, I pulled each selenoid out and found one that the top plastic cap that houses the filter was pushed in on one side. This may or may not have been damaged on installation yrs. ago. I just ordered a new one and will also put new o rings on the other. I noticed when I removed the bad one No air escaped from the shock but when I removed the good one there was a slight blast of air,so I'm wondering if this is the problem. I guess I'll find out when I reinstall and fire up.

If your struts are replacements you should trim off the plastic cage and throw it and the yellow Marsh Mellow away as they are not needed and interfere with the sealing of the solenoid.




Whiner
96 Mark VIII
535 RWHP 486 RWTQ

Hey, thanks for the tip on the cage. So what you're saying is that being the plastic cage was pushed in and kinda twisted it could have been the source of my problem?

Yes



Whiner
96 Mark VIII
535 RWHP 486 RWTQ