Air Ride Compressor ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SCOTI · 10-22-2006, 07:27 PM

My 68 has been on hiatus for a while now. I've been piecing the front suspension back together lately & this weekend I actually sat it back on the ground & off the jackstands.

I'm using a manual fill system w/no solenoids so it's just the air-tank, comp, lines & gauges. I wanted to adjust the rear of the truck to my typical ride height (30~35psi air) but when I went to add some air to the rear bags they just deflated even more instead of adding air.

The batt is out of the truck so I tried using jumper cables from my 74 over to the 12v lead that went to the comp but it doesn't work. The fuses are good & I re-checked the ground. For whatever reason, the comp won't kick on to supply air to the tank. I wound up yanking the discharge line from the compressor & installed a schrader valve to manually fill the air tank from my home compressor. Once the air tank had pressure, I was able to add air to the rear bags w/o issue.

The comp worked w/o any issues earlier this year. What's stopping it from coming on now? What would be more likely: bad pressure switch or bad compressor?

gringoloco · 10-22-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

What would be more likely: bad pressure switch or bad compressor?

Bypassing the pressure switch will answer that. Try removing and bench testing the compressor and go from there.

SCOTI · 10-22-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Bypassing the pressure switch will answer that. Try removing and bench testing the compressor and go from there.

I tried by-passing the pressure switch using a 10ga wire straight from the compressor to the jumper cable to my 74's pos batt terminal. It doesn't do anything. Pos & ground are the only wires so it should be a no-brainer.

I couldn't verify the output @ the jumper cable end because I left my 'start-up'/engine electronics toolbox over @ my buddies place the other night when we fired up his new 355. I'll bring it home one night this week & see if I have a bad connection w/my voltmeter.

Is there any other way to check the compressor?

Beyond Static · 10-22-2006, 11:30 PM

what kind of compressor is it?

SCOTI · 10-22-2006, 11:36 PM

Standard ART opening price-point stuff: Thompson 315. It's been on the truck for 4yrs now (3 in use, 1 sitting in the driveway).

**N2TRUX** · 10-23-2006, 11:19 PM

This don't sound good. If you were getting any voltage at all it should try to turn over. Sounds like it may have died on you...

SCOTI · 10-24-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

This don't sound good. If you were getting any voltage at all it should try to turn over. Sounds like it may have died on you...

Yep....That's my guess. I'll know for sure after getting my voltmeter & 12v test light back home.

10-22-2006, 07:27 PM	#1
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Air Ride Compressor ? My 68 has been on hiatus for a while now. I've been piecing the front suspension back together lately & this weekend I actually sat it back on the ground & off the jackstands. I'm using a manual fill system w/no solenoids so it's just the air-tank, comp, lines & gauges. I wanted to adjust the rear of the truck to my typical ride height (30~35psi air) but when I went to add some air to the rear bags they just deflated even more instead of adding air. The batt is out of the truck so I tried using jumper cables from my 74 over to the 12v lead that went to the comp but it doesn't work. The fuses are good & I re-checked the ground. For whatever reason, the comp won't kick on to supply air to the tank. I wound up yanking the discharge line from the compressor & installed a schrader valve to manually fill the air tank from my home compressor. Once the air tank had pressure, I was able to add air to the rear bags w/o issue. The comp worked w/o any issues earlier this year. What's stopping it from coming on now? What would be more likely: bad pressure switch or bad compressor? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-22-2006, 11:30 PM	#4
Beyond Static Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 16	Re: Air Ride Compressor ? what kind of compressor is it?

10-22-2006, 11:36 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: Air Ride Compressor ? Standard ART opening price-point stuff: Thompson 315. It's been on the truck for 4yrs now (3 in use, 1 sitting in the driveway). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.* Last edited by SCOTI; 10-22-2006 at 11:39 PM.

10-23-2006, 11:19 PM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Air Ride Compressor ? This don't sound good. If you were getting any voltage at all it should try to turn over. Sounds like it may have died on you... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

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