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I have a vanbulance, it's got a frickin' spoiler, it's rad
it looks like this:
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Anyhoo, enough of your drooling, does anyone have extensive experience of air suspension systems as I'm at a loss...
It was leaking from the air springs when I got it, but managed to fix it with homebrew tyre jizz, which was good for a couple of trips to the alps.
However, a couple of months ago, the compressor packed in and since the air bags were past their best, I decided to plump for a salvaged axle that came complete with air bags and compressor, all in good nick.
Before I fitted the new compressor, I fitted the new airbags and pumped them up (with my trusty Lidl track pump) and left it for a few days; all good, no leaks.
Next up, I fitted the new compressor, which inflated the offside air spring and the reserve tanks, but not the nearside air spring.
Farted about with the level sensors, thinking it might be a calibration issue, to no avail.
Bit disheartened by it all and working outside on damp gravel, so refitted Schraeder valves and pumped up with track pump, figuring I'd sort it in spring when there's more daylight to play with. Both sides inflate fine, however now there is a slow leak on both sides. Been having to get down under van and pump up every day or 2.
So, yesterday I tried swapping the valve block with the old compressor (knew it was piston seal on original compressor pump that had failed and original valve block had been working fine), only to be confronted by same flaccid nearside spring.
Today swapped Air Suspension ECU, but same again.
Thing is, I know from my track pump inflation that there is no specific problem with spring, so mighty confused.
Please help.
I know nothing of air suspension systems, however, is there a non-return valve in the system? Or have you checked that already?
Checked out YouTube?
Hmm, that's a good point, but I think it probably flows both ways, so the solenoid controlled valve block can regulate and level both sides, along with letting the air out when you push the badman lowrider button.
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its probably a conspiracy.
Could it be the 'tyre jizz' has blocked something?
its probably a conspiracy.
Hmmm... now you mention it, it was paid for by the Freemasons and is called a Crusader.
St John's Ambulance is part of the Venerable Order of St John
Queen Elizabeth II—the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms since 1952—is at the apex of the Order of Saint John as its Sovereign Head, followed by the Grand Prior
The Alliance of the Orders of Saint John of Jerusalem is a federation of European Protestant chivalric orders that share inheritance of the tradition of the mediaeval military Knights Hospitaller
The Protestant constituent orders of the Alliance, together with the Roman Catholic Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), form the "Mutually Recognised Orders of Saint John"
'Knights of Malta' if you will... which is of course also a high rank within the Freemasons, associated with the Order of Mark Master Masons.
The current Mark Grand Master, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, is the younger brother of the Craft Grand Master, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
Probably fix it by building a shrine to Solomon's Temple and sacrificing a few innocents...
But a more practical solution would be preferable.
Could it be the 'tyre jizz' has blocked something?
Forgot to mention, when the courier delivered the replacement axle and ancillaries, one bag was inflated and the other was deflated and to my suprise, on releasing one of the quick release collets, the system was still pressurized.
But being as I've changed everything except the compressor itself, which only has a single outlet which feeds into the valve block, I'm struggling to work out what's going on...
That said, there could be some kind of electronic shizz required to set it up when you swap ECUs... when I mentioned calibration, I meant in terms of physical position, rather than technogubbins.
Put it in a bucket of water and look for the bubbles?
Not really sure what you are on about but what about a blocked airline between compressor and the flaccid bag?
I've never dealt with van air suspension, however on trucks/buses, sensors need to be calibrated (you typically put in spacer blocks, drop the suspension down onto them, connect to the ECU, run the calibration sequence, then lift the suspension up and remove the spacers).
However, if the calibration is miles out to the point the suspension is fully up or down, it'll typically trigger a fault and then do nothing.
As a starting point, soapy bubbles on everything to check for any obvious leaks. The air output from the size of compressor on these types of systems is not that high, so you would probably never hear a major leak.
Then provided connectors are reasonably easy to get access to, with the sensors connected and the system powered up, compare voltages between each side. I'd guess the sensors will either be 2 or 3 wire. 2 wire are likely to just be a basic variable resistor setup, so you'll have either 5V or 0V on one wire, and a varying voltage on the other. 3 wire will also likely be variable resistor, but you'll have 5V, 0V, and varying voltage on the other.
Is it a genuine manufacturers system, or aftermarket?
If genuine, I may be able to get details, provided it was also an option on the Vauxhall equivalent, but it wouldn't be until next week.
Thanks for that mc, that's a lot of help; think I'm going to have to revise my jacking strategy to get under it with the compressor running... if I jack it under the axle, it should still attempt to inflate the bags without the wheels touching the ground.
Having said that, I've been jacking it on the nearside, with the wheel off the ground, and the system doesn't kick in when you turn the ignition on, which suggests it's still getting feedback from the sensors.
When both wheels are on the ground, the offside seems to be sitting higher than normal, though I guess that's to be expected when the weight is being transferred to the nearside; also there's not the normal ticking sound as the sensor feeds back and finds its level...
It's a factory system, it's even mentioned in the Renault Handbook and it's made by Dunlop.
Pretty sure the same system is available on Movanos, so I'd be very grateful if you can help with any more details.
In the meantime, Merry Crimbo 😆
Awful, hateful things, I’m driving one tonight with 300k on it and I’m surprised it still runs! anyway, can’t give much technical
Advise on the air system except that t fails regularly so if there is a spring alterntive this would be worth having.
Technical wise, contact your local ambulance service, they’ll have mechanics that know only too well every foible of the air system and may have useful advice!
I was fed up wrapping presents so had a quick look, and I'd find somebody with suitable diagnostic kit.
It's not that complex a system, however without knowing what faults are stored, or being able to see live data, you could waste a lot of time and still not fix the problem.
And there is a calibration routine for setting the normal height. It involves a couple spacers, and diagnostic kit.
Rip it out and fit the standard axle (probably leaf sprung) Just check the spring hangers etc are fitted to the chassis.
Thanks again mc... hooked up my diagnostic thingy today and though it said it wasn't communicating, the nearside now inflates; whether those two are related is another matter, but saves me building a shrine to Solomon's temple complete with Boaz n Jachin.
As for these luddites suggesting normal metal springs, I don't want a van that bounces around corners and shakes my fillings, besides which, being able to drop the back is handy for levelling when I'm getting my camp on, not to mention emptying the shower tray.