ACS Compressor question

[Y Rider]

I have a 2011 RT Limited. I normally ride with a full helmet but with the much warmer temps here in Florida I have been using my half helmet which allows me to hear more of the bike noises. It seems that when I start the bike the ACS compressor runs for several seconds then as I am riding I can hear the valve open to release air pressure. It releases air every half second for half a second. This can continue for 15 seconds or so then the compressor will kick in again. This process continues for as long I am riding on not so smooth roads. At stops it stabilizes and no longer cycles. I have the ACS switch set at 3 (middle selection). Since I never heard this with a full helmet I was wondering if this is normal operation. I don't believe there is an air bag leak since all is happy when idling at stops. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick

 

[Y Rider]

Looks like I actually have a problem. Even on the lowest suspension setting the rear shock has very little travel and rides rough. I may have a defective ACS position sensor. I have the BEST warranty so I guess I's time to make use of it. Hopefully it will be a quick fix.

 

[freebob]

I have a 2011 RT Limited. I normally ride with a full helmet but with the much warmer temps here in Florida I have been using my half helmet which allows me to hear more of the bike noises. It seems that when I start the bike the ACS compressor runs for several seconds then as I am riding I can hear the valve open to release air pressure. It releases air every half second for half a second. This can continue for 15 seconds or so then the compressor will kick in again. This process continues for as long I am riding on not so smooth roads. At stops it stabilizes and no longer cycles. I have the ACS switch set at 3 (middle selection). Since I never heard this with a full helmet I was wondering if this is normal operation. I don't believe there is an air bag leak since all is happy when idling at stops. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick

Really should not cycle that much, The ACS system could possibly have a leak also...

 

[freebob]

I have a 2011 RT Limited. I normally ride with a full helmet but with the much warmer temps here in Florida I have been using my half helmet which allows me to hear more of the bike noises. It seems that when I start the bike the ACS compressor runs for several seconds then as I am riding I can hear the valve open to release air pressure. It releases air every half second for half a second. This can continue for 15 seconds or so then the compressor will kick in again. This process continues for as long I am riding on not so smooth roads. At stops it stabilizes and no longer cycles. I have the ACS switch set at 3 (middle selection). Since I never heard this with a full helmet I was wondering if this is normal operation. I don't believe there is an air bag leak since all is happy when idling at stops. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick

Another thing is The ACS system only works with engine running and in GEAR...

 

[freebob]

Another thing is The ACS system only works with engine running and in GEAR...

Also you might be trying to ride to hard/high at #3 setting I only use #1-2 with Elka rear Shock. in the heat here in SC pressures do expand just lke tire do...

freebob:doorag:

 

[Chupaca]

Well..!!

Agree with roger...we have seen many that have come with the link missing, loose or disconnected. Good idea to check it. The leaking would mean if sitting it would eventually go all the way down. But worth checking as well...:thumbup:

 

[Y Rider]

Really should not cycle that much, The ACS system could possibly have a leak also...

I agree that the ACS shouldn't cycle constantly. At least it didn't in the past. There is no leak because even sitting overnight the suspension is still stiff the next morning. It seems once I put it in gear the pump comes on then pumps it up then starts releasing air. This cycle continues while in gear.

 

[Y Rider]

I suppose that could be.

The system is instrumented to throw a code if it finds something wrong.
The problem could be in the dogbone link that ties the sensor to the frame.
Looking at it from the left side it should look like this:
View attachment 90921

When I first got my Spyder the dogbone was disconnected from the sensor so I am familiar with that problem. Do you know if the passenger seat switch affects the ACS position? That is one thing I haven't checked yet.

 

[cuznjohn]

Looks like I actually have a problem. Even on the lowest suspension setting the rear shock has very little travel and rides rough. I may have a defective ACS position sensor. I have the BEST warranty so I guess I's time to make use of it. Hopefully it will be a quick fix.

look under the left side right behind the floorboard or peg and see if there is a linkage connected to the frame or the pump switch. i had the same problem and it turned out my linkage was not connected to the frame

 

[Elembytes]

I had to replace my pump and fittings

Looks like I actually have a problem. Even on the lowest suspension setting the rear shock has very little travel and rides rough. I may have a defective ACS position sensor. I have the BEST warranty so I guess I's time to make use of it. Hopefully it will be a quick fix.

This spring I had to replace my pump and fittings. The pump would not pump up and hold the pressure and if you air it up manually it would not hold.

Thank Goodness we were able to have BRP over night the part to Pitbull Powersports in Springfield and we stayed over night to get it fixed as it's a 3 hour drive from where we live.

Apparently on our 2012 RTS SE-5, moisture had gotten into the fitting off the pump and it froze and some how the fitting cracked and split. Pitbull replaced te motor and replaced the fittings and all is and has been good.

It does adjust off and on and seems to do it more when I ride alone and when I am at like a stop light but it is all normal.

Good luck with yours but I just wanted to let you know of our experience.

 

[Marker]

I had the same problem on my 2010 RT-S.

It was a defective shrader valve on the air bag, that was leaking air slowly. The dealer installed a new air bag.

The other problem the spyder had was that the wrong perameters were installed in the ACS sensor so the air bag was constantly full and the shrader valve would not open and close to mainatain proper ride height.
When this happened the compressor would not cycle at all.

 

[Y Rider]

Here is a bit more information. Last evening when I put the bike away in the garage I had the ACS setting at 1 (softest). This morning I lifted the seat and measured the air pressure at the valve to be 65 lbs. This seems to be excessively high. With the bike not running I manually released the air pressure to approx. 30 lbs. With this air pressure the suspension felt more normal. As soon as I started the bike and put it in 1st gear I heard the pump come on. After a couple minutes of riding I returned home and measured the air pressure again. It was back to over 60 lbs. The dogbone connection to the position sensor looks normal. There is no leak in the system since it held pressure overnight. There has to be a problem with the sensor.

 

[nhoj]

I started the bike and put it in 1st gear I heard the pump come on. After a couple minutes of riding I returned home and measured the air pressure again. It was back to over 60 lbs. .

Sounds like the ACS-Ride Height needs to be checked/adjusted. This is a calibration in BUDS.

 

[Y Rider]

Sounds like the ACS-Ride Height needs to be checked/adjusted. This is a calibration in BUDS.

I suppose something could have changed in the calibration settings. So it looks like either calibration or a bad sensor. Ether way I will need the service department fix the problem. Just hope it won't take too long.