Firestone Ride-Rite Suspension System Compressor Runs for 1-Second Then Shuts Down

Question:

1995 Dodge B3500 van. All of a sudden when I want to increase the air pressure in the system, the compressor runs for about 1 second and then stops. Any suggestions.

asked by: Ed

Expert Reply:

According to my technical contact at Firestone you can perform a test to eliminate the existing vehicle wiring as a cause for the problem. Use a spare 12V battery (or run jumper wires from the van battery directly to the compressor) to see if it still behaves the same way when directly connected to a power source.

If the same error occurs (shutting down after 1-second of operation) this indicates an issue within the compressor unit. If the compressor behaves normally when directly connected to the power source then this indicates that there may be a problem somewhere in the wiring for the compressor. In this case inspect all wiring for signs of cracks or wear in the insulation and for points where the wiring may rub against the vehicle metalwork; both of these could cause a short that could trigger the shut-down.

expert reply by: Adam R