2004 tahoe- service ride control- rear susp.

[VirginiaInRaleigh]

Before I posted this I did a good amount of research looking at other threads.
A few weeks ago the 'service ride control' came on in my tahoe. damn. everything seemed fine. After a little research I learned that this was most likely the auto-level air ride rear suspension. IE expensive.

The compressor no longer turns on when I hook up my trailer to the car. BUT the car also does not drop really low when I am towing either- stays up high where is should be. And this is a heavy load (horse+trailer= 4 to 5,000 lbs). Nor does it sag when not pulling a load. everything seems normal.

I read somewhere that it could be a fuse issue?
Seems as if their is a leak in the suspension part the compressor will keep running and running and burn out. so then you have to replace both. I don't remember hearing the compressor run continuously.

Any ideas. I need to take it in the shop to be inspected anyway, I'm just procrastinating. I can do some stuff on my own, but I'm not sure if I'm up for this task if it turns out to be a big replacement. Good thing I just got my xmas bonus....ha great way to spend it.

 

[VirginiaInRaleigh]

Ok update, I took it to the dealer and it will be $800! for them to JUST replace the compressor. And they won't be able to check for leaks until after that.
I'm thinking I can probably replace the compressor myself (to the time of a part for about $200) and if I hear the compressor running non stop trying to fill up the sir shock, then I'll take it over and have them do that.
From what I have read, just the compressor portion doesn't seem like a huge deal- a few bolts to take off and then inside my warm house I can fiddle with putting the new compressor on.
I'm by no means a mechanic, but as long as I have instructions, I seem to do OK. And if it doesn't involve jacking my car up, well then even better.

 

[scorpio]

I have the same issue for a couple years now but been driving like that lol. Let us know how it goes please and good luck

 

[VirginiaInRaleigh]

Ok new update! Ordered the compressor from Arnott. Seems like a piece of cake...
But no, it never is, good thing I'm stubborn.
This afternoon's task was to simply remove the part from the car- tomrrow was reserved for re-wiring etc. 3 bolts, should be easy. And 2 of the bolts are easy, right there easy to get to.
But the 3rd bolt must be accessed from a small hole with an extended socket. Pretty sure it's 13mm, as the others were. I spent about an hour fiddling around with the darn thing, including trying to remove the spare tire for easier access. Ended up not being successful, arg.
Tomorrow I am going to see if a shop can get it off for me. Unless anyone has any other ideas! But darn the engineer who though this was in some capacity a reasonable design.
And the adventure continues!

 

[VirginiaInRaleigh]

update

new update. Finally got the compressor off the car, successfully (I think) spliced the wires and transferred that over.
The arnott compressor also came with a dryer re-build kit, which is basically new desiccant. Is it necessary to do that or can I just put the old one back on? I ask because I don't have the tools required to open up the dryer cylinder (need a table vice and large pipe wrench/monkey wrench etc.) Input? Thanks
I just want to get it back in the car!

 

[Lowufo]

I would fix the dryer even if you need to get the right tools.

 

[VirginiaInRaleigh]

Ok my final update on this!
As I noted before, a fella helped me nock the dang thing off. Now I realize it would have been much easier to get off if I had known how it was actually attached. The 3 bolts went into larger key-hole type holes, then slid down into a narrow groove to stay secure. They are not just simple bolts through holes as I thought.

I hooked up the wired first to test it out, rested it on a bucked while I sat on the bumper. The motor started right away until the shocks were inflated. yay! then I re-bolted it onto the car- I broke/lost some of the bolts in the process so I just replaced them with normal bolts. And best part?!? The dang message is gone!!