If you want to get rid of the "service ride control" message and have the option to replace the GM shocks with standard shocks, there is a proven solution. I was soooooo excited when I found this! It works. It doesn't fix the auto leveling system or whatever might be failed in the autoride system, but it enables you to have a great ride (with quality non-GM shocks) without the irritating message in your face.
The solution is not difficult. In a nutshell, it involves disconnecting the SCM (Suspension Control Module) and reprogramming the BCM (Body Control Module) without the autoride codes. An excellent, detailed explanation, including where to send your BCM for reprogramming can be found at the link below.
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/technical-maintenance/291516-autoride-disconnect.html
You can now buy a Monro OEM shock from Rockauto.com and a few other places for around $250 now. I just replaced mine Feb 2015. They are vehicle specific with the electrical connector. I dont recommend using a non electric connected shock because if you have Stability control it will not work. The fluid in the original shocks has a very fine metalic powder in the fluid and in a microsecond the computer can basically stiffen the shock that the body is rolling towards and help prevent a tipover. They have the Dorman replacement compressors too around $250 too.
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A ton of things could be wrong with your autoride system. If you have more than about 70k miles and haven't replaced the rear shocks ($500+ EACH!!! at the dealer), then they are probably leaking out. If they leak out, then the air compressor will always run. Eventually the air compressor/ride level sensor module (located on the driver side rear wheel on the inboard side of the frame, $300+ at the dealer) burns out because it's not designed to run at 100% duty cycles. After the air compressor burns out, the Electronic Stability Control module (in an XL, located inside the passenger side rear wheelwell trim, next to the third row seat, $300+ at the dealer) will probably short out. If your autoride isn't working and you don't get a "Service Stability" message, your ESC module is probably going bad.
It is possible to convert to regular shocks, but to keep the Stability Control (still has to control your brakes and front variable dampening shocks during "evasive" maneuvers), you have to insert some 1/4 watt resistors in to the ride height sensor connectors (can't remember what values, but I'm sure you can Google that) so that the Stability system doesn't throw a code. Not that it matters, but the message can get annoying if it's always there to nag...
My dealer quoted over $2500 to replace the entire system. I figure I can find the control modules from my local junkyard for $300, and the shocks from ebay for $350 for the pair. Be sure to match all of the GM part numbers, and keep an eye out for an upgraded Air Compressor module - GM released an update that is heavier duty and more water-resistant than the first design. I don't remember the part number, but my dealer included the upgrade with my quote.
Oh, and the only "easy" way to test the modules is with a Tech 2 tool. Otherwise it's lots of testing with a 12-volt source and a couple of multimeters and oscilliscopes...
Good luck!
My 05 Denali XL auotride compressor activates about 5 seconds after I start the engine. It runs for about 3-5sec and stops. Is this standard protocol or do I have a leak? It does it every time. Thanks for your help!
I replaced the front autoride shocks only on a 2001 Denali with standard non autoride shocks. Monroe I think. The rear are still air. One solution for tricking the system into thinking it still has the autoride shocks in front and not throwing a fault code in the message center is to use a 39 ohm 25 watt resistor in the two wires that lead to the air shock sensor on both sides. If you replace all four shocks, you need to use the resistor in all corners. We plugged the air lines to the front, but I don't know if that was necessary. Car rides great. Light stays out.
Gentlemen, I read where the resistor is a 3.9 ohm 25 watt. Not 39 ohm. Not being anal, There is a big diff when ur trying to fix your vehicle. Correct me if I'm wrong please!
I had a BCM reprogrammed at the dealer for the recall that stop the battery from running down over night,and a few days later i went hook my travel trailer up and my air shocks wasn't coming on.can anyone tell me would this BCM reprogramming cause this problem?
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My service autoride light comes on and stays on could someone point me in a direction to start looking. Or can I take the auto ride shocks off and put on regular ones?
I have a 2005 Envoy Denali with a similar problem. Except sometimes it leaks out and sometimes it doesn't. You can here the compressor come on to fill it. But sometimes when I start the vehicle the compressor does not come on and the bags are dumped out.
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