Power issues.

[BadAssPT]

2002 PT Cruiser. 2 VIAIR 400c' s, 2 5 gallon tanks, 1 pressure switch. Issue: I used to blow both compressor fuses like once a week. I chalked it up to poor install and dealt with it until I could figure out the problem. Well I guess I waited too long because now the compressors won' t even come on. I have checked the fuses (good), and I can hear the relay clicking when I hit the switch (the compressor toggle switch) but compressors don' t come on. Any timely help would be greatly appreciated. I am on a deadline.

[B.J.]

I would first make sure that you' ve got power coming out of the relay to the compressors. Just because the fuses are good doesn' t necessarily mean that theres power running throught them. If there is no power out of the relay, I would then make sure that there is power coming into the realy (both power wires). From there I would check the pressure switch to make sure that it hasen' t gone bad (jump the two terminals). If none of that works I' d put direct 12 volts to the compressor to check it' s operation.

[Cameron]

We had the same problem with a couple of trucks we did, it ended up being the wiring. We have always used 10g wire, per compressor, run it through a " stinger" fuse box, like would go on a high end stereo, we bumped up the wire size and have not had any problems since. As far as the compressors now, fused, it shouldnt have fried the compressor motors, I wouldnt think. One thought I had, if it is the wire, and the wire is melted somewhere, and power and ground are run together, maybe it cooked both wires and they are touching and that is the problem and the reason they are not working now, a combination of a shorting out, no ground etc.

Just a thought.

Cameron Beene, Owner
Unlimited Restylin
(870)230-2948

[HomegrownHalfTon]

Hey BadAssPT - I have the exact same pumps and tanks that you have and I am having the same problem with my relay as you are. The relay gets hotter than hell after the pumps run a cycle, which doesn' t seem right to me. I have all of the correct size wires, fuses and all. I haven' t installed it yet, but I have a second pressure switch from Air Ride and I am going to plumb it into the second tank and eliminate the relay all together. Since I am running a toggle switch to the pumps, I don' t really see the need for the relay. Yeah, the second switch will add a bit more wiring, but if it will help the reliability, then it' s the ticket. The pres. switches are like $35.