Air ride not working

[capt porky]

The battery died on my spyder. Charged the battery ran good took trip to the dragon back in August. About a 1000 miles round trip. When I got back bike parked bike due to work. Battery had died again. Charged up again and notice as was riding the air ride indicator when I selected harder or softer was showing manual. Parked it bought a new battery installed it omg what a job. Now the indicator is showing its working but it is not airing up. What could be the problem? Was told at a shop that I might need to have the Ecm reset.

 

[Peter Aawen]

When you try to change air settings (engine running & in gear) does the compressor run at all?? These on-board compressors have been known to burn out, they are pretty small & don't ever move a heap of air, so running them for too long or too often can see them die pretty quick!! :sour:

Regardless, cos the battery's been flat & the Spyder's been parked up for a bit, it could just be that you don't have ANY air left in the air bag, and the fix might be as simple as using the valve under the seat to pump it up to, say.... 20 psi via your nearest shop air or another compressor.

I had the same problem with the air bag right down to the 'Manual' display after I'd left the bike standing for a coupla months with no use; I assumed it was just that the air bag was completely empty... Adding some air with the shop air seemed to pump it up enough for the on-board compressor to manage from there - haven't seen the 'manual' message since!! :thumbup:

Good Luck

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Yes, I'm thinking you don't have any air in it. The chart is taped by the Schrader valve and it will tell you how much air to put in, I'm pretty sure it is more than 20 psi. Also, I think you have to be in gear for the compressor to kick on.

 

[Frank G]

Having the same issues with my 2012 RTL. First check the 20A fuse that protects the Air Suspension system. (If the horn works the fuse is good as they share the same fuse) Last year I blew 2 fuses and after replacement the system worked for a while. This past weekend the fuse blew again, replaced it and no air. The fuse is good but the compressor will not run and it shows manual in the instrument cluster.

At this point I am going to locate the pump, verify it has power and replace as necessary. Will also check for leaks in the system. If I put 70psi in manually 12 hours later it will be down to 40psi. I do not think the system will bleed off when the key is off.

I am willing to trouble shoot the system as the bike is out of warranty.

There has been a lot of chatter on the site about using a lower cost ($50-$60) air pumps verses the $315 Can Am pump. I will take a look at this option when I have it apart.

Be aware that there are other components to the system that can fail. In my case I think I have a air leak which caused the pump to run excessively and it died.

 

[cyclekid58]

Air Pump

Having the same issues with my 2012 RTL. First check the 20A fuse that protects the Air Suspension system. (If the horn works the fuse is good as they share the same fuse) Last year I blew 2 fuses and after replacement the system worked for a while. This past weekend the fuse blew again, replaced it and no air. The fuse is good but the compressor will not run and it shows manual in the instrument cluster.

At this point I am going to locate the pump, verify it has power and replace as necessary. Will also check for leaks in the system. If I put 70psi in manually 12 hours later it will be down to 40psi. I do not think the system will bleed off when the key is off.

I am willing to trouble shoot the system as the bike is out of warranty.

There has been a lot of chatter on the site about using a lower cost ($50-$60) air pumps verses the $315 Can Am pump. I will take a look at this option when I have it apart.

Be aware that there are other components to the system that can fail. In my case I think I have a air leak which caused the pump to run excessively and it died.

Mine is not working most of the time, had the bike in for service this week and the dealer checked it, could get it to work when hooked up to the computer BUDS system, and once in a great while. Plus the compresser is making a funny noise, tech does not like the sound of it and luckily is replacing just before the factory warranty runs out, I still have the BEST warranty but heck, this way no deductible. I believe max air pressure is 85psi if I read correctly in the manual (yes I read it!) I put 70psi in manually until dealer could check it but usually run to the higher end riding 2 up all the time.

 

[Frank G]

First of all there is no intention of Hyjacking the op's post. I just want to add to it and provide information to those with non functioning air suspension systems.

Just checked with cheapcycleparts.com and there price for a new compressor is $346.99 OUCH!

Baker Air wings offers a conversion kit for those with manual systems for under $300.00 and they locate the pump in the rear storage compartment. I like that as it would be highly accessible and I could use a aftermarket pump.

Hope the op comes back with more information.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

First of all there is no intention of Hyjacking the op's post. I just want to add to it and provide information to those with non functioning air suspension systems.

Just checked with cheapcycleparts.com and there price for a new compressor is $346.99 OUCH!

Baker Air wings offers a conversion kit for those with manual systems for under $300.00 and they locate the pump in the rear storage compartment. I like that as it would be highly accessible and I could use a aftermarket pump.

Hope the op comes back with more information.

$260.24 at powersportswarehouse.com​

 

[Frank G]

$260.24 at powersportswarehouse.com​

Thanks.:thumbup:

 

[capt porky]

When you try to change air settings (engine running & in gear) does the compressor run at all?? These on-board compressors have been known to burn out, they are pretty small & don't ever move a heap of air, so running them for too long or too often can see them die pretty quick!! :sour:

Regardless, cos the battery's been flat & the Spyder's been parked up for a bit, it could just be that you don't have ANY air left in the air bag, and the fix might be as simple as using the valve under the seat to pump it up to, say.... 20 psi via your nearest shop air or another compressor.

I had the same problem with the air bag right down to the 'Manual' display after I'd left the bike standing for a coupla months with no use; I assumed it was just that the air bag was completely empty... Adding some air with the shop air seemed to pump it up enough for the on-board compressor to manage from there - haven't seen the 'manual' message since!! :thumbup:

Good Luck

Tried put around 25 lbs air in it today. Still no luck the compressor didn't start. And went back to saying manual.:banghead: Tried it with engine running in forward and reverse with park brake off.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Doesn't sound good!!

As some have suggested, check the fuse & I guess you you could try adding more air manually too(70psi?) just to see if that makes any difference, but if you can't get your compressor to start at all then it sounds like it's going to be something related to that rather than just a lack of 'starting pressure'...... :banghead:

Sorry, but I still reckon it was worth a try!

Hang on, just another thought.... You were sitting on the seat with the engine running & the trans in gear, weren't you?? I've heard that the compressor might be linked into the seat sensor circuit, so apart from having the engine running & it in gear, if you've got no 'bum on seat', there's no compressor!!

 

[kj2352]

airbag

The battery died on my spyder. Charged the battery ran good took trip to the dragon back in August. About a 1000 miles round trip. When I got back bike parked bike due to work. Battery had died again. Charged up again and notice as was riding the air ride indicator when I selected harder or softer was showing manual. Parked it bought a new battery installed it omg what a job. Now the indicator is showing its working but it is not airing up. What could be the problem? Was told at a shop that I might need to have the Ecm reset.

Well mine had same problem. Airbag had hole in it. Fixed it same as car tyre. still good after 5000kms. kj2352

 

[kj2352]

airbag holed

The battery died on my spyder. Charged the battery ran good took trip to the dragon back in August. About a 1000 miles round trip. When I got back bike parked bike due to work. Battery had died again. Charged up again and notice as was riding the air ride indicator when I selected harder or softer was showing manual. Parked it bought a new battery installed it omg what a job. Now the indicator is showing its working but it is not airing up. What could be the problem? Was told at a shop that I might need to have the Ecm reset.

Well mine had same problem. Airbag had hole in it. Fixed it same as car tyre. still good after 5000kms. kj2352