What To Do When Volvo Truck Air Bags Not Working?
By far, the most common reasons for Volvo truck airbags not working include air leaks from deteriorating rubber components, damaged height control valves, a broken compressor due to faulty fuses or relays, and electrical issues like faulty solenoids or damaged wiring.
Navigating through each of these issues requires some understanding of Volvo truck airbags. It’s a component responsible for proper suspension maintenance, smooth riding, and correct stability while driving.
It needs to be in optimal form to avoid any mishaps on the road, making quick resolution of problems one of, if not the most important, priorities right now.
Keep on reading…
4 Underlying Causes Behind Why Volvo Truck Air Bags Not Working
I’ll discuss the major culprits that are most likely responsible for a Volvo truck having misfunctioning airbags.
1. Air Bags Not Working Due To Air Leaks
There are several issues that air leaks in Volvo truck’s suspension system can lead to. This includes uneven ride height, improper handling, and a weird hissing noise.
All of these symptoms strongly indicate that the air suspension is not able to maintain the right pressure. As a result, it is affecting the vehicle’s stability and performance. Later, it can also result in starting and ignition switch-related problems in your Volvo.
The major causes behind air leaks are deteriorating rubber components. It can also happen from any leak that occurs either right before the manifold or somewhere between the compressor and the manifold.
Over time with continuous driving, the rubber parts will fall apart and develop cracks. And this will lead to compromised seals and air loss.
To fix the air leaks, you need to give the airbags a thorough visual inspection. If you find any visible cracks or tears, you need to prepare a soapy water solution. Buying a specialized leak detection spray can also help.
Apply your chosen solution to the airbags and the other associated components. Afterward, it should be easy to identify the exact location of any leaks. The bubbles will form wherever there’s air that’s escaping.
As soon you locate the leaks, target that airbag and quickly replace them. The same goes for any other associated components. Quick replacement will prevent more deterioration compromising the performance of the entire air suspension system.
2. Damaged Height Control Valves
If the system has height control valves that are damaged, you will experience common symptoms. This includes uneven suspension and excessive bouncing.
There will also be difficulty maintaining a proper alignment. Well, faulty height control valves are often a result of clogs that take place from debris accumulation. It could also be from general wear and tear.
You can try cleaning or replacing the valves if required. You must make sure that the valves are free from all gunk and properly adjusted for optimal performance.
The air supply lines connected to the valves should also be inspected thoroughly for any blockages or leaks. These are also the prominent causes behind valve malfunctions.
3. Malfunctioning Compressor
If there’s low air pressure in the brake system, put your doubts on the compressor. You may also find some unusual noises or vibrations coming from the compressor area confirming the underlying issues.
A fuse or relay-related issue is usually the main culprit behind a malfunctioning compressor. You may find damaged bearings or even worn-out pistons that are vital to make sure the compressor is able to work just right.
StrutMasters shares that there are some clear signs to watch out for when a compressor is acting up. If your truck sits lower than usual, makes weird noises while driving( like grinding or clicking sounds) and the ride feels bumpier with the truck being harder to control, it might be time to get your compressor checked out quickly.
To handle this situation, I would suggest checking the compressor fuse and relay. If there are any signs of damage or failure, replace them.
Don’t forget to do a physical examination of the compressor itself by focusing on the condition of the bearings and pistons. If you find out there’s any wear or damage with these crucial components, it’s best to repair or replace them.
4. Truck Air Bags Not Deflating
The Volvo truck airbags not inflating or deflating is often an electrical problem. It may happen even when the indicator light shows the airbags are functioning correctly. Faulty solenoids or problems with the wiring are the main causes behind this issue.
To fix this you need to check the wiring harness and connectors and replace them if necessary. Also, check for continuity and voltage at the solenoids using a multimeter. As soon as you find any defective solenoids or damaged wiring, replace them.
For a more thorough inspection, you can manually supply air to the airbag dump line. This is just to make sure that the bags are capable of deflating. Also, consider following the airline from the leveling valve to the solenoid valves to identify any potential blockages or disconnections.
It can also be possible that the main air supply is compromised. To figure out, you need to isolate and check other air-operated components.
For example, the air horn and differential locks. If these components are doing well then there’s nothing to worry about the main air supply staying within the air bag system.
Wrapping Up
And that was my take on handling the situation when the Volvo truck airbags not working. There’s a systematic approach to address the issues and you must be well aware of those. Don’t proceed without checking your specific model’s manual. This is just to be sure you are not taking any step that may violate their warranty condition or any warning already mentioned.
Also, be regular with maintenance, always use OEM parts, and work on knowing more about safety protocols. If you are not sure about it, or cannot source a specific part, it’s best to visit the local service center or even hire a professional mechanic.I will be back with similar content soon, and in the meantime, you can check my exclusive guide on common instrument cluster problems in Volvo trucks.
