Need help with my Autoride

[keith2k455]

Vehicle is a 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV with the autoride suspension. I replaced the compressor and shocks because I had assumed I burned up my compressor due to very leaky shocks. I know I needed new shocks, 120K on the factory rears. The issue is that now I have it back together, the compressor still never kicks on. I drove the truck today and it does ride better than the worn out shocks, but no compressor. I checked the two fuses under the hood and I have no message or lights in the dash saying anything is wrong. I have 12v at the red wire in the compressor harness as well. I suspect the problem is either the plug/relay at the compressor or I am missing a fuse/relay somewhere else.

I'm hoping one of you GM guys can help me out where to look. There has to be a relay or fuse I am missing. I can't find much on this system and am about to take it in to the shop. I appreciate any help.

 

[gm280]

keith, I have zero knowledge about your setup. BUT, if your compressor uses any large amounts of current, I can easily see a relay supplying that and not a direct wiring setup. So trace the switch wires to the relay and verify that it both locks in AND the contacts supply the current to the compressor. Sometimes you can hear and feel the relay clicking, but the contacts are toast and not allowing current through. Another thing you can try is to jumper power to the compressor to verify it runs.

I honestly know what you're talking about trying to figure out how the manufacture wired things. I have the actual shop manuals for all my vehicles and it still is a huge search to find things. Obviously they never wired things like most electronic circuits. They have their own symbols and techniques. :noidea:

 

[keith2k455]

Thanks for the help pointing me to a relay. In my scouring, I have found a third fuse that is labeled as IGN that may be bad and there is one guy who has a youtube video of a relay along the firewall. 13 years and 120K is a lot of key cycles and that compressor has to pull some current. I'm going to locate this fuse and relay and hope for the best. I think the lack of literature is due to people trashing the auto ride when it acts up.

 

[bruceb58]

There are also autoride sensors that may be faulty. Going to be tough to diagnose without a GM scan tool. The GM scan tool should also be able to read the sensors and turn on the compressor.

You have a factory service manual? Going to be close to impossible to diagnose without one.

 

[keith2k455]

Thanks for that advice about the scan tool and manual. I jumped the relay under the hood and nothing. It's getting a trip to the shop. On the plus side, they can't get me for shocks. I have a feeling is either the control module or the relay/plug on the compressor. I bought an arnott compressor and their definition of wiring is different than mine. I would have guessed it to be completed from the plug, but they had me reuse the old plug.

 

[bruceb58]

Basically going to be close to impossible without a manual. Go on eBay and find one whether you use it for this problem or not. I have an autengenuity scan tool software for my laptop and I have the advanced package for Toyota but would buy the package for GM if I needed it for something like you are doing. A normal scan tool will not do what you need it to do.

This is what my scanner will read or perform with the GM package
https://www.autoenginuity.com/images/vehicle_samples/GM/GM-All-Systems-List.html


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Chevy-G...pWbt~7&vxp=mtr

Just keep your eye out for some that come up cheaper. I know they are expensive but they are well worth the money if you have a problem. You will be spending more than the cost of these taking it to the dealer for your issue.

 

[keith2k455]

Bruceb, GM280. Thanks for the advice here. I decided to take it to the dealer and get the system diagnosed. Figured I post the results for anyone searching for a GM Auto Ride Compressor Issue.

Basically the brand new Arnott Compressor I bought from CarID is junk. Dealer put a new one on for 4x the amount of the Arnott. CarID hasn't been the best with the return thus far either.

 

[bruceb58]

If I had autoride, I would seriously consider just going to normal shocks if anything failed. I am guessing you just laid out a grand on this thing?

 

[keith2k455]

Well....long story, but it was worth doing. It was a case of where a little maintenance leaded to more maintenance and in the end prevented a breakdown and is keeping my family safe.

The problem with DIY, is it would have cost me about $700 to fix if the junk arnott compressor would have worked. Cost to convert to non autoride would have been a little over $600. The conversion would still have been with Arnott stuff, which after this compressor bout I would be weary of buying. If you go with the Monroe conversion you will be in it for a little over $700.

Dealer markup smacked me, it cost me $800 for the compressor from them. I also got lazy and had them do the trans lines that were leaking, then took it to Goodyear for some worn suspension (bearing, pitman, idler arm) components and alignment.

It does feel like I have a new truck though. In the end, the $2k I just spent isn't bad for having this thing for 3 years and doing nothing to it. A lot cheaper than a new truck too. Really I learned to not buy this off brand crap.