Is my compressor dead?

[Brentc]

Noticed on the last ride that we have been bottoming out on somewhat small bumps, especially railroad tracks. So today I popped seat and determined no air in bag. Could not get compressor to kick on, so I added air manually to 40 psi and left for a couple hours and it held. I then started bike and adjusted settings to soft, and the air was released out through the system as it would normally, but then when I adjusted settings back to hard, nothing from the compressor. I have checked the fuse F5 on right side box and it is good.
It appears that the compressor is not working, but wanted to see if there were any other troubleshooting steps people may have for me before I load up and head to dealer.

And to add to the whole issue, my extended warranty ran out on May 20 2019.:sour:

 

[Grandpot]

Certain conditions must be met for the compressor to operate.
1. Engine on.
2. Must be in gear. 1st or reverse will do
3. All of the rear compartments must be closed.

Try your test again.

 

[trikermutha]

Check the seat switch too.

 

[Brentc]

Thanks for the replies.
Certain conditions must be met for the compressor to operate.
1. Engine on.
2. Must be in gear. 1st or reverse will do
3. All of the rear compartments must be closed.

I had met all the above conditions on first test, but did it again to double check and also checkded the seat switch. It seemed in tact, but I pulled and re-seated.

Same result

 

[trikermutha]

Last unplug it and check power going to the compressor. Check your ACS switch too

I copied out of the manual below.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES ERROR CODE "MANUAL" REMAINS ACTIVE IN GAUGE 1. Leak in the ACS system. - Check ACS system to detect leak, refer to ACS SYSTEM LEAK TEST. 2. Faulty ACS position sensor or wiring. (Refer to ACS POSITION SENSORfor testing). - Check ACS position sensor signal circuit continuity. - Check ACS position sensor input voltage. - Check ACS position sensor ground circuit continuity. - Perform the ACS position sensor reset with B.U.D.S. 3. Damaged position sensor. - Check ACS position sensor for damage, refer to ACS POSITION SENSOR INSPECTION. REQUESTED SETTING DISPLAY DOES NOT CHANGE IN GAUGE 1. Faulty ACS Switch (CSS) or wiring. - Check ACS switch continuity, refer to ACS SWITCH. - Check ACS switch control circuit, refer to ACS SWITCH. SUSPENSION SETTING CAN NOT BE CHANGED ON VEHICLE 1. Make sure the following requirements are met: - Engine is started. - Parking brake is released. - Gearbox in gear (first or reverse). - Rear storage compartments are closed. 6 rmr2013-035

2. Damaged fuse. - Check F5 fuse in RH fuse box (RFB), refer to POWER DISTRIBUTION AND GROUNDS subsection. 3. Damaged relay. - Check R3 relay (load shedding relay), refer to POWER DISTRIBUTION AND GROUNDS subsection. - Check R4 relay (ACS relay), refer to ACS RELAY (R4). 4. Faulty multifunction gauge control circuits. - Check multifunction gauge control circuit continuity to ACS relay (R4) to (PIN-19). - Check multifunction gauge control circuit continuity to ACS solenoid valve (PIN-18). 5. Faulty ACS compressor or wiring. - Carry out an ACS COMPRESSOR OPERATION TEST. 6. Faulty ACS solenoid valve or wiring. - Carry out an ACS SOLENOID VALVE OPERATION

 

[Grandpot]

The compressor normally fails mechanically. You actually might be able to hear it running, but not pumping.

If you determine the compressor has failed, go to YouTube and search for: can am Spyder compressor. I have a video there showing how to replace it. 41 minutes long.

 

[billybovine]

Check the seat switch too.

I assume you are talking about the pillion switch. This is commonly repeated but incorrect. Seat switch has no bearing on the air ride.

 

[h0gr1der]

I assume you are talking about the pillion switch. This is commonly repeated but incorrect. Seat switch has no bearing on the air ride.

Mr. Billybovine,

You seem pretty well up to speed on most of this stuff, help me set this permanently in my tired old brain.

To my understanding, the pillion switch is to see if there is a second occupant on the Spyder to made nanny adjustments. Is that correct? Stands to reason, if the bike is moving forward under power it will have at least one occupant unless something has gone horribly wrong.

 

[trikermutha]

I assume you are talking about the pillion switch. This is commonly repeated but incorrect. Seat switch has no bearing on the air ride.

You are correct. :bowdown:

It Signals the VCM when the PRS switch is depressed. the VCM applies changes to the control parameters, mainly to reduce maximum allowed lateral acceleration and yaw.

I went back and looked it up.

 

[h0gr1der]

You are correct. :bowdown:

It Signals the VCM when the PRS switch is depressed. the VCM applies changes to the control parameters, mainly to reduce maximum allowed lateral acceleration and yaw.

I went back and looked it up.

Trikermutha,

So it only activates with the addition of a rear seat passenger?

 

[trikermutha]

Trikermutha,

So it only activates with the addition of a rear seat passenger?

I believe it does as the extra weight/passnger etc plays into the Pillion switch and controls the parameters on the VCM mainly to reduce maximum allowed lateral acceleration and yaw.

 

[Brentc]

In the short term is it feasible to put 35-40 psi in manually until I figure out if I want tackle replacement myself or have dealer do. I added air yesterday and it is holding, so I’m assuming it should hold......

 

[Jim&Teresa]

I just had an air suspension issue on our 2014 RT Limited on a ride recently. I took it to our dealer and it was found out the programming in BUDS was not working adequately for this system. I also thought I lost the compressor as I aired up the air ride system using the schrader valve manually. It would lose air so I thought a leak and compressor issue. Sometimes though, it would hold air - very erratic... System did not blow any fuses, but the compressor would not air up the suspension....

They reprogrammed the air ride system (probably just a BUDS update) and it works perfectly - no parts needed!! You may want your dealer to check if the system is faulting due to BUDS! Good luck....

Like others have stated, engine running and in gear for system to respond.....

 

[Brentc]

I did see in the manual that there is a checkbox setting that could be unchecked through buds that says wether or not the unit has a compressor. I will see if the dealer can check for me. Ext weekend, good thought Jim.

I just had an air suspension issue on our 2014 RT Limited on a ride recently. I took it to our dealer and it was found out the programming in BUDS was not working adequately for this system. I also thought I lost the compressor as I aired up the air ride system using the schrader valve manually. It would lose air so I thought a leak and compressor issue. Sometimes though, it would hold air - very erratic... System did not blow any fuses, but the compressor would not air up the suspension....

They reprogrammed the air ride system (probably just a BUDS update) and it works perfectly - no parts needed!! You may want your dealer to check if the system is faulting due to BUDS! Good luck....

Like others have stated, engine running and in gear for system to respond.....

 

[safecracker]

I just went thru this Sunday. My compressor died on MD. It is my second compressor. By the way the replacement compressor has a splined shaft instead of a D shaft and set screw. BRP learned from earlier compressors. Any way there is a relay just for the air ride suspension. On my 2011 RTS it is R1. It should say on your relay cover which relay it is. Remove it, this way it wont bleed out your air. This is a quick, temporary fix. I just converted mine back to a standard RT. I may order an aftermarket compressor, (VIAIR 98c, $87.00, Amazon). OEM is $385.00. Bruce

 

[DGoebel]

But yes, if you decide to remove the switch/automatic adjustment, you can run a simple airline from the schraeder valve direct to the airbag.

 

[safecracker]

That is what I did. But for OP find out which relay controls the air ride and remove it. As I stated in above post.

 

[Brentc]

Thank you for the info, the relay is in the right block. It’s either r4 or r5. I will check the manual tomorrow and pull that relay.

That is what I did. But for OP find out which relay controls the air ride and remove it. As I stated in above post.

 

[Jim&Teresa]

I did see in the manual that there is a checkbox setting that could be unchecked through buds that says wether or not the unit has a compressor. I will see if the dealer can check for me. Ext weekend, good thought Jim.

The first and only time the air suspension failed on our bike is this time when the bike has over 55,000 miles on it... No issues with the bike overall - We purchased it new in 2014 ....it's been a great ride.....I don't know why BUDS malfunctioned in regard to the air suspension.....

 

[steviep]

My forth compressor went last friday. It should be under warranty but if not I will look into a simple fill system