2004 air suspension issue

So my problem is my air bags deflate every time I turn the car off. As soon as I turn the car back on the bags inflate and they stay inflated, but the second I turn the car off, both bags immediately start deflating.

I sprayed the bags with soap water while inflated and I'm not seeing any leaks. They just won't stay inflated when the cars off.

Any ideas?

Mods sorry about the multiple threads. I'm using an iPhone and obviously hit the submit button too many times. My mistake.

Hi pmezo
I'm no expert to these systems, but below your threads is mine and what I've been through with a 1995 Town Car. My parents had the car since new, 15 yrs old and the bags just started leaking recently (see cracked bag photo I included). It has worked wonderfully for 14 years (105,000 miles) with no leaks. The system will pump up when you start the car, and when you shut it off, and close all doors, the computer opens the vent solenoids to drop the level about an inch or so. If you shut the car off, but don't exit (or exit but leave door open), the bags should stay as they were while running. Once you close the door, both bag solenoids should open only for about 10 seconds to bleed down. So, I'd guess maybe your solenoids get stuck open during the bleed down process and consequently bleed completely. Then, when started it builds up pressure and maybe that helps them shut after inflation. You can inflate the system, and while running switch off the system with the trunk switch and it should not bleed down. Then wait a few days or even overnight and see if it stays level, I'd bet it will. I wish I could tell you how to be sure its the solenoids, but I don't know enough. If you're a "shotgunner", solenoids are $15 www.suncoreindustries.com (http://www.suncoreindustries.com) and their website should have some guidance on installation (pretty easy). Otherwise, wait for some more detailed advice from some of the smarter folks in this forum. I'm more of a GM guy myself, this is new to me.

One last thing, the compressor will wear out quickly if it has to run excessively (and its $220 or so), so until you fix it you may want to keep the system inflated and disabled.
Good Luck!

So you're saying it's supposed to deflate a little when off, but it sounds like it's a stuck solenoid so it's completely deflating?

I'm new to this car and never had air bag suspension before. By switching the switch to off, what exactly does that do? Does it turn off the compressor?

UPDATE: Just turned the car on and inflated the bags. Let the car stay on for about 15 minutes and the bags were fully inflated. Switched the switch to off and turned the car off. 10 minutes late the airbags are pretty much fully deflated again...

UPDATE #2: Turned the car on and let the bags inflate. Once inflated, i turned the air suspension switch to off, BUT left the car on. The bags didn't deflate. I let the car sit there running for about 15 minutes and the bags didnt deflate at all with the switch off. I turned the car off and the bags immediately started to deflate (i can hear the air coming out).

UPDATE #2: Turned the car on and let the bags inflate. Once inflated, i turned the air suspension switch to off, BUT left the car on. The bags didn't deflate. I let the car sit there running for about 15 minutes and the bags didnt deflate at all with the switch off. I turned the car off and the bags immediately started to deflate (i can hear the air coming out).

I'd venture a guess there is an air leak - somewhere.

OK, That switch shuts down the air suspension computer so that it will not try to level adjust. Its important to always switch off before jacking up the car (like to rotate tires, etc) or the level sensor will think the car is rising and tell the computer to bleed air. Normal function, with switch on, is compressor will run for a short while (usually 10 sec or so if all is well) and raise the back a bit. When you turn off ignition, once all doors are closed it will vent out air by opening both air spring solenoids and a compressor vent solenoid and bring the level down about an inch. It will do that every time.

Good test you just did, now I'm thinking you need to try to find where you can hear the air bleeding. I think its bleeding and not leaking, just my guess. It seems to big to be a leak, leaks always start small. Anyway, when its inflating, go listen for the compressor at the driver's side front fender, in front of tire. Does it stop pumping after some time or is it always pumping? When the car reaches level it should stop. Now, once up to height and you turn ignition off, do you hear the air hissing or bleeding at the compressor? That would mean the system is bleeding down via the solenoids open. I gave it more thought and don't think your spring solenoids are bad, because its unlikely both would fail open at the same time and if only one was stuck just that spring would bleed down. So, listen for the air venting at the compressor (vent solenoid) when it starts to go down. If its not a bleed down problem, then surely it is a leak but why will it stay upright for 15 minutes, and just leak when you switch off....unless the compressor is always running? Check that, but I thought with system switched off it would not pump.
Good Luck, I hope I don't send you in the wrong direction, I was hoping one of the smarter folks would reply!


UPDATE #2: Turned the car on and let the bags inflate. Once inflated, i turned the air suspension switch to off, BUT left the car on. The bags didn't deflate. I let the car sit there running for about 15 minutes and the bags didnt deflate at all with the switch off. I turned the car off and the bags immediately started to deflate (i can hear the air coming out).

If there is a leak, the Compressor will be doing overtime and likely fail soon; they are not meant to be on for extended periods of time.