Troubleshooting Firestone Air Bag System that Wont Hold Pressure

Question:

Suddenly, the airbags installed on my 2006 F350 stopped inflating as they had previously. the control unit is powered and I can hear the compressor switch on but neither the red or the black needle left and right? show pressure holding. The black doesnt move and the red seems to show increasing pressure but then falls back to a lower pressure after I hold the switches to inflate both the rear air bags. Checked for physical damage on the compressor and connections to the airbags. Found none. Electrical connections also are intact. Puzzled. Appreciate any ideas. the F350 is 4WD SRW crew cab long bed and I carry a large Host truck camper - dry weight about 3800 lbs. The truck is relatively new to me bought last summer and used for camping numerous times since then with no issue with the airbags. I did not install the system. It was in place when I bought the truck and truck camper combo together and, as I said working fine then. Seller did not include a manual or other paperwork on the system. My guess is that the system is about the same age as the truck as the truck and camper were bought new at the same time by the previous owner.

asked by: Jim H

Helpful Expert Reply:

There's a leak somewhere on the air lines or fittings of your air bag. What you'll need to do is go over all of the lines and fittings and see if you can find the leak and fix as needed. If the leak is on the line right at the fitting you can take the line off, cut it square with a line cutter # AL10530, and then reinstall it and that should fix it.

If you put some soapy water in a spray bottle and spray the lines that can help pinpoint where the leak is as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C