2004 Nissan Armada Air Levelizer Suspension Repair

Troubleshooting the circuit, replacement of compressor, suspension control unit, height sensor, and reprogramming the air levelizer via CONSULT.
Note, in an attempt to shorten this already long video I excluded the installation of the airshocks and will upload that as a separate video.
Synopsis
The 2004 Armada was purchased used in 2017 with 191K miles on it. The previous owner indicated they had the air suspension "disabled". Through this process I discovered only 7.5/8.5 Volts to the compressor when there should be 12Volts. The issue was 1) bad compressor, 2) bad height sensor, 3) the programming was set to adjust the height to maximum (thus effectively disabling the system). Reprogramming of the vehicle height was required and needed a tool (Nissan CONSULT-III).
Replacement of the suspension control unit DOES NOT resolve the issue. reprogramming the ECU via CONSULT or another tool is required.
Also note I originally swapped the relays behind the battery as my initial test for if the relay was bad (26:10), however I placed the method for testing the relay earlier in the video (23:00)

[@dadtodc]

Your tutorial is spot on. I had done all the testing that you did. I replaced the level sensor because it tested bad. I watched 6 other videos and decided it was the control unit on my beast. Then at the very end you cleared the codes. That was the ticket. At 1am I was freaking done with this stupid auto level but decided what could it hurt to run an OBDII. No codes found. I said, what the hell and decided to hit erase codes anyway. As soon as it completed the pump came on. Hahaha. Crazy and good job.

[@loojthoj3096]

what year is hour Qx and does it need to be program once install the new ride height sensor?

[@jeffkraus1753]

maybe, if it was just the height senor it probably would still be ok without reprogramming. In the end for me I also had to reprogram because the previous owner "disabled" the system by having a false height sensor value and saving it as normal to override the check suspension dashboard light.

[@projectguyprojectguy9019]

Great video - thanks! One note, the air compressor lines - you have to push that orange piece in and then pull the lines out. Works easily if they are not fused together like on my air shocks.

[@tinkerscorner54]

I cringed when you "pulled" the air hoses. Those connectors are neat, the way they work, but also the source of many air-ride leaks. Leaks can generally be repaired by cutting approx. 1/2" from the end of the line (with an airline cutting tool) and most times you can re-use the same connector (If it's not damaged. Lincoln Navigator veteran. Soapy Water is my friend.)

[@mjcoleman]

This is truly one of the best videos I have seen on YT. I have an 11 Armada, sag issue, previous owner installed non air - and we tow a 30ft trailer. Almost identical issue. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this - this is what the internet was made for. Great work

[@sneekc2146]

Very thorough video. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you.

[@danishzd]

with live data and bidirectional controls, you can command the compressor to turn on and raise the vehicle, you can watch the voltage of ride height sensor in live data as you do it.

[@ljswinney3025]

Man your video was awesome nobody could have did it like you did this video but only thing if you could have shown us what part was bad.

[@juanrrobledo89]

I believe he tested the main unit in the vehicle and determined it was the culprit, but decided to swap everything out, looks like he lives in an area where salt and rust is a problem

[@jeffkraus1753]

In the end the previous owner "disabled" the air level system to avoid the dash light indicator and installed regular shocks which caused the vehicle to sag. Definitely the compressor and level sensor needed to be replaced, but the main fix after that was to use the CONSULT software to reset the air-leveling system. Basically the previous owner had manually moved the sensor to maximum level and programmed the computer to say that was the normal height so it would never try to turn the compressor on.

[@Battal7773]

33:40 you have to use a flat screw driver to push the red base and pull the hoses easily

[@sinhalo]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing like wth are you doing

[@cody2097]

Great tutorial on using a multimeter

[@travisstone3489]

Thanks for all of the knowledge I just gained. My '09 Armada has a new compressor installed & my new level switch will be here tomorrow. If that doesn't fix it, I now know what to check next. Thanks for the great video.

[@Racer_x00]

Found my problem thanks to this, great video man

[@alexandershvid]

In the beginning of your video at 8:25 you are showing incorrectly installed old level sensor. At the end of the video you are installing a new one correctly. Hope that fixed your problem.

[@antoniobanderas6331]

Awesome video. My 2005 armada can now get fixed.

[@assassinworks]

Thank you very much this was well done walk through very thorough.. can you help with adjustable pedal system

[@adamjmunoz8863]

I have a 05 Armada the slip vdc light abs lights came on truck running good no check engine I was told it’s the rear abs wheel sensor

[@danyboy6522]

When you change the module that you had 7 vdc with the new one did you had 12 vdc after ?

[@rxolt1]

Do you happen to know where you found the compressor filter? I can't find it listed anywhere and my new compressor didn't come with one. Not shown in diagrams either.

[@fill75dotcom]

where is the 28581-7S602 part locate? Also is it just a simple unplug battery, install part and reconnect battery and we're all done?

[@rjhein]

Firestone airbags. $29 compresser. And done.

[@Mrkevi123]

Can you explain?

[@rjhein]

Just add Firestone airbags. Then get a cheap compressor off Amazon to work them... There's not a whole lot to explain, but there are a lot of resources on Google about this, including here on KZbin.

[@elvisslo]

The simplest answer is usually the correct one. The Armada/QX80 air suspension system is a Rube Goldberg machine. I keep thinking about the $69 dollar Monroe Max-Air Shocks I put in my 69 Olds. Worked perfect for 10-years. You can even use a hand pump to inflate the shocks.

[@FastEddieQ]

Cool! Question, where did you order those quick disconets that you installed in your compressor, and if you have part number that would be much appreciated

[@travisstone3489]

Where did you get the Consult tool & software & how much did it cost?

[@jeffkraus1753]

Depends on the year of the nissan. The consult 3 I think only works up to 2013 models. Since it is an older tool you can find them cheaper on ebay or a Chinese clone for about $130. The new consult tools for more modern models are really expense - ~$2000 - $3000 new or China clone for $600 - $700. You could check out obdii365.com

[@jperico86]

@@jeffkraus1753 hey, i have an 2006 infiniti qx56, I've done everything but replace the control unit, which is my next step. I was just needing to know the exact model of scan tool I need to get, and do I need to download the app/program to calibrate the air levelizer?

[@LiveNLearn1968]

@@jeffkraus1753 How much the whole project cost you for this project?

[@sandynewman5533]

Where did you find the Nissan Consult?

[@carlosmunoz-gw8lz]

Como puedo encontrar esos manuales yo tengo problema en mi 08 nissan armada no llega electricidad atras no se que puede estar pasando

[@contendingforthefaith9897]

Where is the fuse for the suspension leveling system?

[@larryfresquez9058]

During your video I noticed you have the titan side mirrors. Were they hard to put on and are your mirrors functional with the side mirror switch

[@jeffkraus1753]

I ended up buying 2 sets of mirrors as this is my tow vehicle and I needed tow mirrors and the original mirrors did not extend. The first replacement set had the wrong connector for my Armada so I had to buy a second set and made sure that one had the correct connector. These newer mirrors have both heated function and motor function working. I have a video for it I have not uploaded yet....I'm way behind on all the new videos I made....

[@RobertYocum]

You should have shown the final result with the vehicle riding higher at the end

[@brettsmalley6549]

can you put the link the the webpage you were looking at in the comments? i cannot find this anywhere!

[@jeffkraus1753]

For parts it is parts.nissanusa.com and search based on vehicle or part name/number. The repair manual is a PDF you can find by just doing a search on 2004 Pathfinder Armada Service Manual

[@drivenautorepair5856]

was not the correct way to remove the hoses (tank)