Accuair problems

[tk-mpl]

I am having problems with both my accuair e-level systems. I have the full e-level system in my 1961 Belair as well as my 1968 C10. The system in my Belair is having issues with the touch pad cutting out all the time, I think it's the cord. I tried my touch pad from the truck and it still cuts out, which that one doesn't cut out in the truck. I also tried the connector at the back of the touch pad with the same results. Now my truck seems to be operating fine, but has an excessive draw. It kills the battery within a couple days. I remove the fuse for the ECU and the battery lasts weeks. Just wondering if anyone has had similar problems with their e-level system?
Thanks
Trevor

[tk-mpl]

Nobody...?

[Ghostwhite]

I don't have E-level yet but I do have the accuair switchspeed on my toyota and because of how its wired the compressors will kick on over the course of a few days due to some minor leaks I haven't addressed yet.

Are you sure you don't have any leaks that may cause your compressors to kick on depending on how its wired? What pressure switch are you running? Have you hooked up an ammeter to see how much draw there is? Is your accuair ECU hooked to keyed power and constant +12? Have you tried swapping ECUs between the two to check if the draw is an internal problem or an install problem?

The cable and touchpad issue does seem like a bad cable, can you easily pull the cable out of the truck to test direct to the car ECU?

[tk-mpl]

Both systems are wired as per accuair's spec, which is keyed power. So the compressors would never come on when the key is off.. Both vehicles are assembled with full interior so swapping components is hard. Accuair got back to me and I will do some circuit testing and get some numbers for them. Once I'm back from work I'll check it out.

[1hihum]

I have an issue where one bag seems to air done out of the blue while driving. It says it's still in the #2/3 position according to the controller, but it's clearly not. I spoke with Travis from pro performance and he seems to think it's an air leak, but I have yet to find one. Let us know if you find the cause! I'm always interested in learning.

[68is4me]

Lets us now what you find. I am also curios as mine also goes dead after a few days. For now since it is just a work in progress, I just leave the charger on it.

[tk-mpl]

I was able to test the red circuit for amp draw. With the meter inline of the fuse there was a 449mA draw. The compressor actually kicked in for a second as well, which I don't think that should happen with the key off. So I guess we'll see what accuair is going to do about this.

[Ghostwhite]

Are you running the accuair pressure switch?

[Hart_Rod]

How old is your ECU? I had to have mine replaced because it would not save any manual programming that I would do. Anyway, in for the answer on this one.

[tk-mpl]

The whole system is accuair so yes it is an accuair pressure switch.

How do you know how old the ECU is? I purchased the system a 2 years ago, but was only on the road for last summer. Is there a build date on it?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by tk-mpl

The whole system is accuair so yes it is an accuair pressure switch.

How do you know how old the ECU is? I purchased the system a 2 years ago, but was only on the road for last summer. Is there a build date on it?

They are numbered, but I'm not sure how the determine what the date is. I purchased mine in 2010, but didn't get mine installed until early this year.

[smbrouss70]

Now you have me worried Rob, I purchased my accuair in 2010 or 2011, and I am about to throw it on the Blazer. I hope mine works. How much was it to replace the ECU or did they just do a swap on it?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Now you have me worried Rob, I purchased my accuair in 2010 or 2011, and I am about to throw it on the Blazer. I hope mine works. How much was it to replace the ECU or did they just do a swap on it?

They swapped mine out. I think they will take care of you if you have a problem.

[Hart_Rod]

Updates?

[tk-mpl]

They want me to send in both ECU's and the cable and touch pad from the Belair. Just waiting for a good time to have both vehicles disabled. I ended up having to replace the battery in the truck and it has actually been good. So I might just send in the Belair stuff and keep an eye on the truck for the summer.

[jsweeney57]

I had an issue with my accuair e-level system where the compressors would kick on when the key was not on. They wouldn't shut off either. Sent the ECU, touchpad, and cable back for testing. All tested good. Found a questionable ground off the ECU and seems to have fixed the issue. Now the system takes forever to calibrate again... and the touchpad heats up real bad while trying to calibrate. That's where I left off yesterday haha.

[drfloyd]

Wow, sure glad I opted to not bag my truck after reading all of this from these 2 posts. Looks like they have some serious issues that maybe delayed because folks are just getting around to installing systems they bought several years ago. Good luck guys.

[68is4me]

Originally Posted by drfloyd

Wow, sure glad I opted to not bag my truck after reading all of this from these 2 posts. Looks like they have some serious issues that maybe delayed because folks are just getting around to installing systems they bought several years ago. Good luck guys.

The Accuair system I have works great. I wouldn't go any other way. Accuair has a lot more good reviews than bad.

I also had the problem with battery draw and compressors that come on with the key off. When I called Accuair they said it will always have a draw and if it sits for over a week recommend installing a battery tender. As for the compressor coming on with key off he also said that if the battery was low when the key is turn off sometime the ecu will still have the compressor demand still active and might indeed start the comp with the key off. I just keep the battery charged and have had no issues since.

[Willie Makeit]

Originally Posted by drfloyd

Wow, sure glad I opted to not bag my truck after reading all of this from these 2 posts. Looks like they have some serious issues that maybe delayed because folks are just getting around to installing systems they bought several years ago. Good luck guys.

if you made the determination to not use bags based solely on these two threads then you are 100% correct, bags are not for you.

[tk-mpl]

Just as an update I have been running the truck all summer and it has operated perfectly. I replaced the battery and it doesn't go dead anymore. The Belair however still looses connection all the time. I will deal with it for the summer and then take the module, harness and keypad and send it all in for them to check out.

[drfloyd]

Originally Posted by Willie Makeit

if you made the determination to not use bags based solely on these two threads then you are 100% correct, bags are not for you.

Nope. I made the decision from a long term "pain in the butt" point of view. Water being my biggest concern. My point was that after having made that decision, I'm glad I did based on these 2 threads. I have several build projects going on so maybe I'll bag one of the others later on when I'm more educated on how the manufacturers handle some of the things that concern me.

[BigMike]

Had my E-Level setup running on my truck for a little over a year now with ZERO issues, best decision I ever made. I think a lot of people have issues (not saying any of these guys here) because they didn't take the time to do it right. Wiring, running air lines where they can get pinched, melt, rub through, whatever. Most of the "bad" stuff I hear about air bags is because it wasn't done right. You really have to invest the time to plan it out properly, not just toss it all together in a couple of hours. I love my setup, all except for my junk shocks that I need to replace with ridetech RQ's.

[Ghostwhite]

Originally Posted by Willie Makeit

if you made the determination to not use bags based solely on these two threads then you are 100% correct, bags are not for you.

Originally Posted by drfloyd

Nope. I made the decision from a long term "pain in the butt" point of view. Water being my biggest concern. My point was that after having made that decision, I'm glad I did based on these 2 threads. I have several build projects going on so maybe I'll bag one of the others later on when I'm more educated on how the manufacturers handle some of the things that concern me.

Originally Posted by BigMike

Had my E-Level setup running on my truck for a little over a year now with ZERO issues, best decision I ever made. I think a lot of people have issues (not saying any of these guys here) because they didn't take the time to do it right. Wiring, running air lines where they can get pinched, melt, rub through, whatever. Most of the "bad" stuff I hear about air bags is because it wasn't done right. You really have to invest the time to plan it out properly, not just toss it all together in a couple of hours. I love my setup, all except for my junk shocks that I need to replace with ridetech RQ's.

These three quotes are the best way to describe how everyone should approach an air ride system. If you are willing to do everything correctly you have little chance of going trouble free for the life of the build. If you approach something half-cocked and expect everything to work without a lot of planning and effort then you will have poor results.

I have an accu-air switchspeed setup in my toyota pickup and have never had a single issue with any part of the system but I have following builds, installs and troubleshooting threads for years. I knew exactly how to spec the system and properly install the components to ensure a long trouble free experience.

Have there been a few issues with the accu-air systems? Yes! Show me a company that has never had a single warranty issue ever. The fact is there is a lot more components to an air system vs springs but the rewards outweigh the simplicity of steel springs.

[BigMike]

Originally Posted by Ghostwhite

The fact is there is a lot more components to an air system vs springs but the rewards outweigh the simplicity of steel springs.

Exactly. A Chia Pet will give you far less problems than a real dog because it is simple and minimalistic. Some people are completely content with a Chia pet, but I love my dogs and they give me years of happiness...wouldn't have it any other way.

It's a matter of choice. If you want stock height, lifted or slammed. Car, truck or motorcycle, we are all different and choose different things based on life experience and research. Just don't make your decision based on the wrong facts (see it all the time) Like sales taught me, a happy customer may tell a few people about their purchase...friends, family. An unhappy customer will tell EVERYONE. Don't base your decision on the handful of unhappy customers, read all the good ones too.

Also, if you're gonna do it don't just buy the cheap eBay no name stuff (unless you have experience with air systems and know every component to them). Buy a good system from a proven manufacturer/reseller with good customer service (Travis @ Pro Performance is AWESOME) and you will have a much better air suspension experience.

My $0.02 for what it's worth

[72MARIO]

I have also experienced the battery drain problem. Now I just keep the battery tender on the suburban. It's been at least 2 years now of driving and I have had zero issues. I took my time a routed everything neatly. Also my controller is mounted not sliding around on the seat. I thought that the cable would eventually fail if left on the seat.