Suspension Issues

[Elston]

2011 QX56 (New body style).
I've seen a few threads on this, but none specific to my situation. My relay fuse is fine. I used paper clips to bypass the height sensor and the compressor still didn't turn on. When I plug in the compressor, I hear a click in the computer attached to the compressor. So, I thought I needed a new compressor. Plugged in the new compressor and it still doesn't work. Considering the Infiniti is all computers, do I need to take it to a stealership to have it programmed, for some reason?
I thought about a shock conversion kit, but I can only find the Strutmasters kit for $500... any other kit suggestions?

 

[marctronixx]

hi and welcome.

there is no "computer" for the compressor. there is a relay.

the qx is not "all computers", but i understand what you are saying.

you are overthinking the compressor.

there is nothing that needs to be "programmed".

you say you plugged in a new compressor and you said it "didn't work" - what are you expecting it to do?

all the compressor does is keep the rear of the car level with the front. it needs to know the height of the rear by the height angle sensor.

to test, dont "bypass" the height sensor. re connect it and add some weight to the rear of the trunk (just get some adult sized people to sit on it or add some heavy weight to make the rear sag). with the car running the compressor will trigger and raise the height.

as for suspension kits, i cant help you there.

 

[Elston]

hi and welcome.

there is no "computer" for the compressor. there is a relay.

the qx is not "all computers", but i understand what you are saying.

you are overthinking the compressor.

there is nothing that needs to be "programmed".

you say you plugged in a new compressor and you said it "didn't work" - what are you expecting it to do?

all the compressor does is keep the rear of the car level with the front. it needs to know the height of the rear by the height angle sensor.

to test, dont "bypass" the height sensor. re connect it and add some weight to the rear of the trunk (just get some adult sized people to sit on it or add some heavy weight to make the rear sag). with the car running the compressor will trigger and raise the height.

as for suspension kits, i cant help you there.

Got it!
I replaced the compressor, as the old one was in really bad shape, and it sounded like it was full of gravel once I got it off the truck. I hooked up the new compressor, and it still didn't work.

By "bypass", I meant I disconnected the height sensor, pushed three paperclips into the wire to the compressor, and it should've turned on, as I've seen in several videos. I know what you're thinking... it takes at least 30 seconds for it to kick on, and the height sensor needs to be low enough to "call for air". Well, I connected the paper clips and waited for at least a couple minutes, and the compressor hadn't been working for a couple of months so the shocks had absolutely no air and the truck was nearly riding on the rear tires. Still nothing.

I talked to my mechanic, who works on foreign cars for a high end dealership in town. He hooked it up to his fancy diagnostic computer, which is much more sophisticated than the handheld at Autozone, and learned it was the ride height sensor. He cleared the codes, told me to replace the ride height sensor, and I would probably need to come back to adjust the ride height, using his computer. THAT'S what I meant by "reprogramming the computer". If it calls for air, and there is a defect in the system, it shuts down. If that cycle repeats itself several times, the computer may tell itself to shut down that entire system, i.e. the air ride suspension, for good, and the computer may need to be replaced, which runs about $3k.

I got home, disconnected the compressor from the height sensor, started the truck, and tried my paperclips again. IT WORKED! I'm guessing it was because of the cleared codes. I plugged it back into the height sensor and it seems to be working again, for now.

So, I've got a new compressor, and im ordering a new height sensor. I'll let you know how it all works out.
Thanks!

 

[PETTY HEAVY]

Got it!
I replaced the compressor, as the old one was in really bad shape, and it sounded like it was full of gravel once I got it off the truck. I hooked up the new compressor, and it still didn't work.

By "bypass", I meant I disconnected the height sensor, pushed three paperclips into the wire to the compressor, and it should've turned on, as I've seen in several videos. I know what you're thinking... it takes at least 30 seconds for it to kick on, and the height sensor needs to be low enough to "call for air". Well, I connected the paper clips and waited for at least a couple minutes, and the compressor hadn't been working for a couple of months so the shocks had absolutely no air and the truck was nearly riding on the rear tires. Still nothing.

I talked to my mechanic, who works on foreign cars for a high end dealership in town. He hooked it up to his fancy diagnostic computer, which is much more sophisticated than the handheld at Autozone, and learned it was the ride height sensor. He cleared the codes, told me to replace the ride height sensor, and I would probably need to come back to adjust the ride height, using his computer. THAT'S what I meant by "reprogramming the computer". If it calls for air, and there is a defect in the system, it shuts down. If that cycle repeats itself several times, the computer may tell itself to shut down that entire system, i.e. the air ride suspension, for good, and the computer may need to be replaced, which runs about $3k.

I got home, disconnected the compressor from the height sensor, started the truck, and tried my paperclips again. IT WORKED! I'm guessing it was because of the cleared codes. I plugged it back into the height sensor and it seems to be working again, for now.

So, I've got a new compressor, and im ordering a new height sensor. I'll let you know how it all works out.
Thanks!

HEY Elston, how's the truck riding now? I purchased an 2013 with QX56 with the rear end suspension sagging like pants with no belt! It was a good deal 77,000 for 21k! TO good to pass up! Now im ready to get it fixed, I bought a warranty to cover my a$$. I just want to know what to be aware of when I tell the shop I have a warranty lol, Also what are some self fixes you reccomend to do myself? Thanks in return!

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[Elston]

HEY Elston, how's the truck riding now? I purchased an 2013 with QX56 with the rear end suspension sagging like pants with no belt! It was a good deal 77,000 for 21k! TO good to pass up! Now im ready to get it fixed, I bought a warranty to cover my a$$. I just want to know what to be aware of when I tell the shop I have a warranty lol, Also what are some self fixes you reccomend to do myself? Thanks in return!

If it hasn't been working for awhile, you may need to have the codes reset before you can begin to diagnose the issue. If you don't know somebody who has access to a diagnostic tool, it would be worth the money to take it to a dealership. I wasted a couple hundred bucks replacing the compressor when all I needed was the ride height sensor. The diagnostic tool will tell you exactly what's wrong. Good luck!
Oh, and BTW, my truck is riding just like new!

 

[primov8]

Make sure the independent shop(s) has a full range scan/diagnostic tool that can read, diagnose and correct any DTCs. Those pocket scanners like the ones used at your local auto parts store and even some repair shops can only diagnose engine/emission related DTCs.

 

[Elston]

HEY Elston, how's the truck riding now? I purchased an 2013 with QX56 with the rear end suspension sagging like pants with no belt! It was a good deal 77,000 for 21k! TO good to pass up! Now im ready to get it fixed, I bought a warranty to cover my a$$. I just want to know what to be aware of when I tell the shop I have a warranty lol, Also what are some self fixes you reccomend to do myself? Thanks in return!

I replaced the compressor... still nothing. Took it to my mechanic, hooked it up to his computer and found out the ride height sensor was bad. Replaced that, took it back to mechanic so he could "reset" everything, and it rides like new again! Now we're thinking about trading it in for a newer QX80!

It rides great! We also recently got a few things painted. There is a class action lawsuit against infiniti for their white paint. We love our QX56 and hope to continue driving it for years to come! I'd say try to fix anything you're comfortable doing. You'll need to determine your level of expertise.

 

[PETTY HEAVY]

Sorry for the delayed response...so I took the truck to the stealership 2 weeks ago for an oil change before a long road trip and got a complimentary inspection, apparently there must've been a small hole in the suspension that grew over time, now i have a huge hole in the rear suspension and the stealership trying to charge $4900 to fix. Any recommendations on a conversion kit? Wife is married to the truck and rather not trade up.

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