Ride won't rise; not sure which system I have

[monkeyboy71]

I just took over the family's 52 Chevy truck project. My bro installed a kit a few years ago. The compressor is a "Pre 1500" - at least that's what it reads. The controller - well, I'm not sure. What am I looking for there to identify which system I have?

Anyhow, after getting power to the unit it will compress fill the tank - at least the compressor turns off after a few minutes, leading me to believe the tank is full. And the unit will let air out of all 4 bags. But it will only 'click' and will not pump air back into the bags. So I am not sure what my issue is. Am I chasing a ground or something simple? Am I chasing hardware? Is it in fact not filling the tank and I just don't know that?

Thanks for any advice.

[britt@ridetech.com]

Control System:
Do you have a digital (LCD number display) or analog (gauge with needles) system?

Compressor:
How long does the compressor run before it shuts off? Our current Thomas 327 compressor takes about 5 minutes to fill a 3-gallon tank from empty to 150psi. It will take roughly 1 minute to fill from 135 to 150.

You need to figure out if there is any pressure in the tank. If there is pressure, then check the valves. If there is no pressure, replace the compressor.

[monkeyboy71]

Control System: Digital. It's just the 4 gauge unit.

Compressor: it runs about 5 minutes. But it hasn't run again since Sunday and I'd like to think that's because the tank is full.

So to check the tank... I'm guessing that mean I gotta pull a hose and let it blow? I don't see a relief value of anything like that...? The tank is a Firestone 150 PSI unit. Not sure the volume - maybe 5 gal. But I'm not sure what is the safe and preferred method to check the pressure there.

[britt@ridetech.com]

You have to figure out if you have air in the tank. If the tank pressure is zero, the vehicle will not raise no matter what you try. If there is pressure in the tank then you can move on to the valves being the cause of the problem.

I pull air lines off tanks all the time while testing equipment. However, be warned. . .there is the potential for a lot of pressure in the tank (normal operating pressure is 150psi) so when you pull a line pull it from the tank side so the air line doesn't go flopping around like an unmanned fire hose and crack someone in the face (I learned the hard way).

[monkeyboy71]

I yanked the line and the tank was full. When it was empty I hooked it back up and powered up and it took 20 minutes to refill. How would I test a valve? Because it's clicking when I press to raise, but it just doesn't move any air. Could it be something as simple as a wiring issue? Or a power issue? Like a bad ground or not enough power to perform?

[monkeyboy71]

I know, it's been a while. Life gets in the way. So I'm back on this issue...

Air in the tank - yes.

Empty tank and refill just to make sure - yes.

Click to drop the car - yes (there's not much air at all in there but it will release what little is there)

Click to raise the car... well, there's a 'click' but nothing happens.

So if there is air in the tank, and the unit is 'clicking' in response to the raise command, then I'm looking at valves?

Any test on those? Should I pull a link and test with it out?

[britt@ridetech.com]

If the valve "clicks" chances are it is working (the "click" is the little stainless steel plunger inside moving. If it moves it almost always opens up allowing air to get through.)

I would take "bench test" the valves. Hook up your shop air into the "Supply" on the valves. This removes the possibility that the compressor/tank is the issue.

Unhook the air lines.

Press an inflate button. . .does air blow out the other side of the valve?

It's quite easy, and common sense prevails when you take second to think about how the system works. Let us know what you find.