2017 WRX Air Lift 3P Viair 444c Check Valve & Pump Issue

One morning when I aired up to leave the house my Air Lift controller went black. Upon inspection, I found that one of my two 30A fuses had blown (two fuses for dual compressors). I found that I had a bad check valve on one of the units and I believe the other had started wearing out do to compensation for the leaking pump. I currently have a rebuild kit coming in the mail since after replacing the check valve the fuse was still blowing. Viair and Air Lift both confirmed that the issue is related to the 2.5+ year old pump. I had been chasong around a ghost leak and was glad to figure out that it was the check valve causing the trouble. I hope this helps and for the meantime I am running a 40A fuse in place of the 30A which is a common size that people use from the start.
Instagram - WRX_SNOWBOARDER

[@TowProVlogs]

Thank you bro

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

glad to help

[@bagged_couple_customs1088]

I had the same issues on my 17 wrx, ended up scraping the entire wiring harness from airlift and making my own with a larger gauge wire since there wiring was so small. Fixed my problem instantly and never had to deal with them again, all I got was a headache whenever I contacted them for help. Car looks great though mine went back to static and started building a GS instead, great video content though man would have helped me a bit back in the day lol.

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Good info. A bigger gauge would help but I didn't want to mess with the relays. Everything has been good since swapping out the compressors. I was on the phone waiting about an hour to talk with someone but for a company that sells some of the best compressors, they did a really poor job in helping me troubleshoot the issue.

[@bagged_couple_customs1088]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER yeah I ended up using a pac80 you can run two compressors off one of those with no issue, then I used a 100amp circuit breaker off the battery so no more issues with fuses up there then just ran a 40amp fuse off the pac80 to the compressor. glad you got it figured out but yeah they do not help you when you need it. a lot of it is just self exploration and hoping for the best lol.

[@mikepeace6694]

Once your check valve goes bad, it causes the compressor to work harder against the back pressure from the tank which will keep popping the fuse. A bad check valve will also cause your compressor to go bad.

[@patrickmcdonald5541]

@@mikepeace6694 both comps. were bad from the start. replaced check valves 2 weeks after install and still popped fuses ended up trashing the comps. and running a single 480cc which does the work that both 444cc were doing and would never switch back again lol now the only issue I have is the crappy airlift manifold leaks a little from the FL port behind the "brass" ring but other than that cant really complain. eventually will look into getting a better one or just replace it entirely.

[@mikepeace6694]

@@patrickmcdonald5541did you purchase it used? Airlift should replace the manifold

[@stateboy80892]

Replaced both check valves and still found air seeping from the intake ports on my 444c Viair dual set up... Replaced both compressors and even replaced the check valves a second time and I'm still getting air leaking from the compressors intake ports!

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

I'm not sure what could be going on then. I'd wrap it all over really thick with the Teflon tape again to be sure. It sounds like the compressors are faulty to me. My tank is set at 150 psi max

[@stateboy80892]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER I literally replaced them yesterday that and the check valves.. Pipe thread tape and pipe dope everything and no leaks anywhere except the from the intakes themselves.. Brand new compressors too 😖😖

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

@stateboy80892 only other suggestion I have is to contact viair and see what they say about it. It seems strange new ones would leak like that

[@blkeclipsel2400]

i am 4 months shy of 3 years owning these same compressors. I have the SMC check valves and before I would just clean them and they worked fine. My issue started with the second compressor popping fuses. I drove about a day on the main compressor. It would take about 15 minutes for the one main compressor to fill a 4 gal tank. So i cleaned the SMC check valve for the main compressor now it's popping too. Doing the exact thing yours was doing. shuts off whenever the compressor tries to fill the tank. The compressor test was sucking so much air I didn't even need soap to determine a leak. This is AFTER I removed both SMC check valves , cleaned them and reinstalled. I also noticed my tank pressure is dropping to 0 within minutes. Tested all fittings and no leaks except at the both of the compressors filter holes. Cleaning SMC check valves ( which always solved the problem ) didn't solve it this time and the 40 amp fuses did nothing. Still popping them. At almost 3 years it might be time i replace the compressors. They seem to take longer to fill the tank , sound a little funny, leaking at the filter ports and popping fuses.

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Yeah sounds like the compressors themselves are wearing out. With the leak, if definitely sounds to me like the check valve is failing to hold the back pressure.

[@blkeclipsel2400]

@WRXSNOWBOARDER that's exactly my thoughts, too, regarding the check valves failing to hold back pressure. However, I have the SMC check valves. The kind that can be disassembled. I took them apart, cleaned them, greased them, and they move freely, just like new. I even swapped them during testing to see if the problem would swap to other compressor in case it was a faulty CV. Same severe leak with main compressor using a different check valve. Called airlift support. He could only narrow it down to 3 things. Electrical wiring, check valve, or compressor. He ruled out the check valve once I told him I had the heavy-duty SMC's. He says that despite the fact that using them voids the viair warranty, he swore by them. Wiring is good, and it wouldn't explain the severe leak from the main compressor, which is when this all started. I just purchased two new 444C compressors. Should be here later today.

[@blkeclipsel2400]

Here's a video of the SMC check valves I'm using and its cleaning process. Simple 2 piece internal design. A spring and a plastic part. Fool proof. When they sieze, you'll know it during disassembly. The plastic piece inside is either stuck in place from accumulated gunk or it has little leverage. You can actually see it in the video when he starts that he had to push the plastic piece out. Once you clean off the gunk, which is a simple wipe down , the spring and plastic piece move freely. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ_XoI1spsikqbssi=Kzmwu7E4UD5x5nE4

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

@@blkeclipsel2400 thanks for the video. I'm sure the new compressors will fix the issue. You'll be surprised how much quieter they sound too compared to your current ones. I agree that has to be the issue.

[@D-Linkwentz]

hey bro this may be a dumb question but where was the fuse that kept blowing? plugged into your interior fuse box or the one under the hood

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

The compressors have their own line that runs directly off the positive battery terminal. The fuses are located along that line.

[@willrise3980]

hi, i just recently having the same problem fuse keeps blowing up when going up,, after you replace the fuse with higher amp how did it go?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

After replacing the fuse with a higher amp I didn't have anymore issues. I ran with the higher fuse for about a month. I did end up replacing one of the compressors then switching back to the regular fuse size. The compressor was wearing out and causing itself to pull to much load.

[@JRod.Cuztom]

Good video bro how did you know what compressor it was ?do you have to follow the wire with the blown fuse ?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

I could tell once I installed the higher amp fuses where it would hold and cycle. The one that was bad was much louder and had more of a metal clanking sound.

[@JRod.Cuztom]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER thank you 🙏

[@pablow2009]

Hey brother quick question I am having the same issue.I also have two compressors 444c black I did swap the valves from one to another and the same fuse keep blowing up that’s it means both valves went bad at the same time or my problem can be something else ? What you think that I should do ??

[@pablow2009]

By the way I tough the same thing lol 😂 using the 40 amp fuse how long did it fix your problem for ??

[@pablow2009]

Another question bro should I just keep using one compressor for now while I get the replacement??

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Your good using the 40 amp fuses. I used them for about 2 weeks. I'd still use both compressors. It's either the check valve leaking (which you can test with soapy water) or the compressor piston seal is worn out.

[@mariobarajas1875]

Where did u buy the replacement SMC valve and what size is it

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

I got it on amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3I2K1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_F9X44P9A3JS4MRDFW6XJ

[@hansilsepp]

From what you describe I might have the same issue.

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

It could be but that was from narrowing it down by checking all the other parts.

[@rickyvincent267]

hi i've been havin this problem...only thing is...the 40amp fuse keep blowing only when i air up or down from the control switches

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

That was my problem too. Anytime I used the switch it would pop. Replacing the compressors took care of the issue.

[@rickyvincent267]

ok thank u much

[@bagged_s2915]

I’m having the similar problem with my car but i don’t have 2 years with it i have 6 months with it i don’t think it’s the compressor because it’s to new but i will try to buy the 40 fuse to see if this helps but before this happen the controller kept saying fault voltage low. Maybe my car battery not strong enough ?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Yeah you will get that error when the voltage is too low. May sure to check your connections and any negative is either attached at your battery or grounded correctly. The 40 fuse should work but if not then it's definitely a battery or ground issue.

[@bagged_s2915]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER yeah it works so far i put the 40 fuse aired up and aired down a bunch of times and my controller hasn’t shut off norther i haven’t received any errors of low voltage. Thanks bro hopefully it doesn’t happen again but if it does what do you recommend? I feel like the both compressor are good they are on no loud noise no leaks. Maybe change car battery maybe the airbags drains the battery

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Possible battery. I'd check the terminals and make sure there is a good connection and no battery acid buildup. Besides that I'm not too sure.

[@bagged_s2915]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER yeah that’s what i was thinking. if it happens again then I’ll change the battery. Hopefully it doesn’t. This video you uploaded was very helpful. Thanks man had me thinking the worst like replacing the manifold it’s self till i came across this video

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

@@bagged_s2915 glad to help.

[@LocalImports]

Man I've been having this problem for a while now so basically its just the compressor I need to replace?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Yeah I replaced the compressors and then used the original size fuses and there's no more problems. It sucks but the compressor does need replaced if your having the same trouble.

[@LocalImports]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER yes I have to do that cause I've been blowing fuses like crazy so just replacing the return valve doesn't work right ?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

@@LocalImports yeah the whole compressor needs replaced. It happens because the internal parts are worn out and it's pulling too much power.

[@LocalImports]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER ohh okay got it thanks! Really appreciate it

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

No problem. 👍

[@willrise3980]

hi thank u great info.when u replace the fuse , do u remember the amp u use to replace the fuse , thank u

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Yeah originally it was a 30amp and I replaced it with a 40amp

[@rickyvincent267]

what do u thinn can cause this??

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

It's from the compressor piston wearing out and causing it to pull too much load while trying to start.

[@StarBoy-nb4yd]

Can I buy this 40amp fuse at an auto part store?

[@WRXSNOWBOARDER]

Yeah the auto store will have it. That's where I got mine

[@StarBoy-nb4yd]

@@WRXSNOWBOARDER thanks bro it did the job 🙏

[@wanderlytv4532]

This just happened this morning will upgrade to 40 amp 🙏🏾 thank you