Air - in the tank.

[Many brands]

As I understand it .. The valve under the seat is to "fill" the tank. (80/90 lbs.) When you increase the air shocks (from the button on the dash) - is this were the air comes from ? And where does it go, when you decrease the air. (using the button on the dash). And what is the passanger sensor, under the seat do ? And where does that air come from?
Or am I not understand it ?

 

[Peter Aawen]

Nope, there is NO tank! (Not unless you fitted one yourself, anyway!)

Briefly, the schraeder valve under your seat puts air into the tiny air bag that sits alongside the shocker & spring in the rear suspension (20-90psi) and assists the rear suspension maintain the static ride height. Base model RT's with the air bag only have a hose direct from that valve to the air bag & they require addition/reduction of air manually with the aid of shop air or similar & a pressure gauge. For those Spyders like the Ltd's that have the the switch on the dash too, that switch varies the settings for pressure in that air bag & the height adjust device down on the swing arm, so changing the switch settings will trigger the addition/release of air via a tiny compressor & extra valving down there under the seat, all in order to try & maintain the set height in response to changes in load & suspension travel etc as directed by the switch & height sensor. The compressor puts air in when needed, the valve on top of the air bag releases air to the atmosphere when needed, all in order to maintain your settings as governed by that switch & the height setting device on the swing arm... hyea:

The passenger sensor under the seat is an entirely different module, it sense extra weight on the seat & triggers variations in the VSS & braking control in order to compensate for the extra weight.

Fun stuff, isn't it?!? :thumbup:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

There isn't a tank, rather a small air bladder to assist the suspension. You can start byt putting about 50 psi in it through the schrader valve under the seat. From there, you can firm it up or soften it down using the onboard compressor that is activated by the switch on the handlebars.

 

[Chupaca]

There's that part....

As for the passenger seat sensor..it tell the onboard computer you have extra weight and adjusts the handling for it. It does not have anything to do with the air suspension. The air suspension is more of a load leveling function and keeps you from dragging your.:cus:...:roflblack:

 

[Easy Rider]

You can start byt putting about 50 psi in it through the schrader valve under the seat.

IF.....you really have the automatic system, THAT step should not be necessary. If it is, something is wrong.

And for the OP:
If you have the automatic system, pushing the switch while the engine is running should bring up a "gauge" that you can vary from stiff to soft.
IF.....pushing the switch instead brings up a message something like "Manual adjustment is required", than you do not have the automatic system......and all adjustments must be made manually via the stem under the seat.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

And for the OP:
If you have the automatic system, pushing the switch while the engine is running should bring up a "gauge" that you can vary from stiff to soft.
IF.....pushing the switch instead brings up a message something like "Manual adjustment is required", than you do not have the automatic system......and all adjustments must be made manually via the stem under the seat.

Well, almost. If the automatic system is not installed, which is the case with the base RT, there is no switch on the dash. If there is a switch and you get the message about manual adjustment needed there is a problem with the automatic system that needs to be fixed.

 

[JayBros]

The OP's operators manual should explain the whole system.

 

[Easy Rider]

Well, almost. If the automatic system is not installed, which is the case with the base RT, there is no switch on the dash. If there is a switch and you get the message about manual adjustment needed there is a problem with the automatic system that needs to be fixed.

All I have to go on is the '12 RT that I had for a while.

It had the switch......but did NOT have the compressor, etc. for automatic operation.
I thought that was somewhat odd but the dealer said "normal".
YOu don't think that the dealer could be wrong do you ?? :roflblack:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

All I have to go on is the '12 RT that I had for a while.

It had the switch......but did NOT have the compressor, etc. for automatic operation.
I thought that was somewhat odd but the dealer said "normal".
YOu don't think that the dealer could be wrong do you ?? :roflblack:

Dealer either didn't know what he was talking about, or the compressor was shot and he didn't want to let you know! :dontknow: The parts diagrams for the 2012 RT show the switch and compressor for the 2012 RT-S and RT-Limited but not for the base RT.

 

[Peter Aawen]

YOu don't think that the dealer could be wrong do you ?? :roflblack:

Yeah, I'd have just a TINY suspicion that either the dealer had no idea that any RT with the switch on the dash should have had the rest of the automatic system fitted & working as well.... or maybe they knew that the compressor was fitted and not working for whatever reason & just couldn't be stuffed trying to fix it - or possibly they didn't want to hafta try to fix it on their dime?! :dontknow:

But that could just be the cynic in me sneaking out for a bit of an airing!