01 SLS air ride problems

slsonvogues · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 11:05 PM

I have a 2001 cadillac seville SLS and ive noticed that my rear end is lifted very high as if my car was a custom drag racer haha. The ride is very stiff feeling as if the air bags are filled up and i have no idea why they wont lower. The pump turns on a startup but does not continue to run. When i go around bends the vehicle feels as if its going to fishtail. This is my first post on this website, and any advice is greatly appreciated.

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 11:24 PM

Pull the DTC's. You'll probably have one regarding an exhaust valve solenoid or some such thing. See the sticky at the top of the page if you need help.

slsonvogues · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 01:21 AM

I have already done that and suprisingly there is no related codes...I have read alot about the air bags failing and the cars sagging, but cant find anything about them being stuck all the way up all of the time

submariner409 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 09:04 AM

Pull the right rear wheel and check the rear height control link connected to the suspension arm. The link goes up to the height sensor and, if it pops off, gives a false signal to the system.

The system sounds OK otherwise, as the initial prove-out operates as designed.

slsonvogues · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 07:16 PM

The system sounds OK otherwise, as the initial prove-out operates as designed.

????????

Im not sure what you meant by that. and also is there another height control link on the other side? I have taken it to a local garage with cadillac experience and he said it could be one of many problems. I just dont have the money right now to pay for alot of diagnostic work...is this a common problem? the only reason im so worried is beacause I have vogue tires on and the car is so high that the outer edge is wearing quickly from them leaning outwards. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

timothyr · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-09, 09:08 PM

sub is saying (I think and in my opinion), everything else in the system sounds like it is functioning properly (compressor cycling, and the ability to hold air).

There is only one sensor, and it can be seen from near the right rear wheel. if it is disconnected or misadjusted that will cause what you describe. To be honest I would be a little scared of the local garage you mentioned....not that they dont know there stuff, but to suggest that it could be several things, before litterally just glancing for the obvious (if you know what you are looking for you can see it just by looking under) says to me "be prepared to pay the cadillac tax"

slsonvogues · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-09, 08:26 PM

Well thanks for the warning but since the mechanic is very trustworthy, i dropped off my car today and had him look at it. I havent gone back to the garage to pick it up yet but he said that the car is lowered and all he did was "screw with some things". He didnt charge me anything

but stated we wont know if the problem is fixed until a few days go by. If the car were to raise back up, which i pray it does not, what could be the cause if the car is sitting just fine after a short test drive?

submariner409 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-09, 09:14 PM

If anyone tries to make further diagnosis on the basis of "screw with a few things", then they don't belong in CF.

I'll be the mechanic either set/connected the ride height sensor or maybe temporarily bled down the shock air bladders.

timothyr · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-09, 10:14 PM

agreed....I think the "screwed with a few things" is I adjusted it but need to leave my options (and your wallet) opened.

although my impression is improved....if he did adjust it for free he has earned my respect; if he just bled it off without adjusting/checking, you are being set-up, the more I think about it, 99% that is where the problem is

slsonvogues · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-09, 01:29 PM

Well when I went to pick up the vehicle i discussed what he actually did. He let the air out to lower the car and then took it for a short drive. When he returned he stated that the driver side had gained some air but the passenger side did not. I have driven it a good bit and the car is still sitting at normal height but only time will tell if its going to stay there. How comparable is the standard shocks included in the conversion kits? I am really considering just converting to get rid of the problems but id hate to sacrifice the smooth ride that at one point i experienced

submariner409 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-26-09, 01:33 PM

The kicker with going to straight (passive) shocks is that not only do you lose height control for load compensation, but also you introduce spring problems because the rear springs are calibrated for the "assist" of the height control.

A dead height control system causes the rear to sag: the springs alone can't handle the rear weight, so passive shocks = new springs.

slsonvogues · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-09, 01:40 PM

geezz...i dont know what to do. If I go to a dealership i know they can fix the problem, but im 20 years old and dont have the $$$ to pay their ridiculous prices. What else can i possibly do? am i the only 1 in the world who has had this problem, because there is nothing on the world wide web about it, only sagging. I never mentioned but there is clunking come from the back when i hit bumps and even with the car at normal height i still dont seem to have that all so smooth ride, maybe im just expecting too much?

submariner409 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-09, 05:23 PM

A 2001 SLS will not have a floaty Cadillac Fleetwood ride: far from it. The Seville series evolved into a Sport Sedan line, (Seville Luxury Sedan and Seville Touring Sedan) with the looks and handling to go with it. You want a real Cadillac shocker, ride in a late 2002+ STS with F55 MagneRide.......even tighter than your SLS. The 2005+ "STS" is not in any way a Seville: it is a hype on the initials of a popular marque.

If there is clunking and the car is at normal height, one or both shocks is/are shot or a suspension bushing is worn to the point of metal tometal contact. There are ways to retain the level control and not use ACDelco OEM shocks. If the car is sagged out due to bad shock boots, then the suspension is bottoming out on the rubber insulators at the top of the maximum travel stops.

Look at www.rockauto.com , BUT suspension parts for the SLS/STS series are anything but inexpensive.

ranuve · #14 (**permalink**) 03-26-09, 11:40 PM

I have a 1998 STS and have experienced the same problem. It is definitely your load adjusting air suspension. Mine used to go on when I hit a bump and stay up for awhile and then go back down. The dealer wanted a bunch of money to replace the compressor system. It has stayed down for a year now but the compressor runs most of the time. I'm just wondering if the system can be just plain disconnected. I'd be happy with regular shocks. Anybody know?

timothyr · #15 (**permalink**) 03-27-09, 12:11 AM

the whole system can be disconnected, but as sub said, you must replace both the shocks and the springs...if you pick up an FSM (or even a chiltons or haynes) these things are not rocket science....it is litterally an adjustment that is out of whack or a loose screw