"Service Ride Control" ??

[mickeytee]

If you don't have a speed limit code or a service ride light then bilsteins or the preferred by me z06 upgrade GM shocks with simulators will not set that code. If you do have the code shocks won't fix it . so if your tech two is showing voltage change with movement then the module is most likely ok. Usually only one shock locks up or gets firm while the others get soft. You could just unplug the shocks and see how the ride is but you may have to reset the module with your tech 2 after you plug them back up. You can disconnect the travel sensor from the a arm and manually move it while observing the voltage on the tech 2 to confirm they are all ok. When one is bad it usually sets a code

 

[RDwilkerson]

Thanks that will give some direction to head towards. So the GM vette shocks are a better choice, might price them out also. I have no issue with replacing all the mag shock if it would smooth out the bumps better, but still on the line as what is the best action to take (save money or expect a OEM ride) what ever that is. I had a 86 sevelle great mileage great ride handled excellent probably would still have it if my second wife handn't wore it out in 2 years I owned it and the vette (77 what a dog for power might as well put a 6 in it) sold it to buy a Tbird that she also wore out. Just looking for the Cadillac ride it has alway been known for.

 

[mickeytee]

I mostly dont like the yellow and blue. Haha. The b6 are a little soft as they are made for the vertte and the xlr is heavier. The b8 are stiffer but made for a lowered car. The corvette z06 upgrade are stiffer than the b6 and to me are a perfect match. Delco only. Don't get the China shocks. GM are about 450 a set . I think. I bought 6 sets a year ago so they may be higher now

 

[RDwilkerson]

I mostly dont like the yellow and blue. Haha. The b6 are a little soft as they are made for the vertte and the xlr is heavier. The b8 are stiffer but made for a lowered car. The corvette z06 upgrade are stiffer than the b6 and to me are a perfect match. Delco only. Don't get the China shocks. GM are about 450 a set . I think. I bought 6 sets a year ago so they may be higher now

Just did a price run on all the lowest price sources as follows:
Rockauto: Mag shocks with shipping to AZ $1788.80 OEM
Amazon: Bilstiens set might have a ship charge $570.46 stiff
Amazon C6 Z06 front and rear $541.91 Winner! Delco and are black!
Casper sims: $184.94
I hope this helps those who are thinking, needing, wanting to know.
"I am with you didn't like the yellow!"

 

[MR Roadster]

We just brought our 05 home after dealer had it for five months for top module issues. It also went in with dash display "Service Ride Control" message...it's still there. A return call to the dealership claims the module to correct this message is unavailable but it doesn't affect the ride at all so don't be concerned. I really don't like seeing that message all the time...is there a fix?

Service ride control message will effect the ride quality. You must use a scan tool like a tech2 to read the voltage to the ride height sensors and shocks. The scanner will tell you if the the module needs replacing or if the sensors or shocks have become disconnected.
If the module need replacing the cost is very high due to the low inventory around $2500 bucks. Two alternatives are as follows: 1. Use a bypass module ($375) and install c6 corvette non-magride shocks i.e. Bilstiens. 2. bring the car to my house in South Carolina and for $1000 I'll fix and restore the original magride module with a 100% money back guarantee.
Talk to anyone that has purchased my bypass module and they'll tell you it works perfect.
It's only for the 2004-05 xlr no other years will work.
message me at Strandcaster@currently.com for the bypass or to schedule a full restore.

 

[RDwilkerson]

The reason why the 04-05 suspension module are different is that there are 3 input connectors instead of two. So the data going to the computer see the information provided by the posistion sensors and abs to send a voltage to charge the mag power (slurry) to make the shock ether firm or soft. If the module is shorted out will leave shocks at the voltage at the time of short (water damage). Now if it lacks say such voltage the shock will not have the damping needed. Now the excessive action because of lack of damping occurs and will wear at the seals and cause leakage. The PCM has got to recieve a signal from the wheel posistion and the abs to signal what voltage to send. (firm up or soft) With a shorted module that can not occur that will set a code. You can test it by using a tech2 to see what voltage is being set and if it changes by moving the shocks (boucing the car). The voltage will change when the sensor see's movement. No module no voltage change.

 

[Blkcash]

Followed the group and bought Blisteins shocks and Casper Bypass. My left rear side is still slightly lower than the right rear side, plus now the Service Ride Control and 80 max light comes on, I tried moving steering wheel and it worked for about 15 minutes, took a sharp curb not too fast and BOOM light back on. My question, if I have SIMS do I need the module? If not what's the most price efficient way to bypass module since it might be bad or am I even understanding how the module works or doesn't work with SIMS? Thanks

 

[mickeytee]

Your module on the 07 rarely fails. I'd say you have another problem. Did you zip tie the rear connectors togeter? The front will plug in and snap lock on. The rears do not. They slide together but need a zip tie around them to hold them together. The shocks don't control the height so I'd look to see if you have a broke spring. Also the front is it level? High A little on the left front can lower the right rear a lot. Also check that your ride height adjusters are good and the rubber has not come off. Plus you could have a bad stabalizer bar link thatS locking up. Several things it could be but the shocks are not the problem with the height. And you do need the control module for the car to run.. . the vette i s the same and if yours is bad you can get one for 175 or so.

 

[Derrick109]

Can someone tell me exactly where the ride control module is located on a 2007 XLR V?

Thank you

 

[Billy_MX]

If you don't have a speed limit code or a service ride light then bilsteins or the preferred by me z06 upgrade GM shocks with simulators will not set that code. If you do have the code shocks won't fix it . so if your tech two is showing voltage change with movement then the module is most likely ok. Usually only one shock locks up or gets firm while the others get soft. You could just unplug the shocks and see how the ride is but you may have to reset the module with your tech 2 after you plug them back up. You can disconnect the travel sensor from the a arm and manually move it while observing the voltage on the tech 2 to confirm they are all ok. When one is bad it usually sets a code

Hey Mike. Looks like you know your stuff.

After 2 years in the body shop for constant scratches, paint job, etc (even had to get a new tail light cuz humidity got inside of it) I got my 07 back. 55K miles. Drove it thru a construction area and after that my Service Ride Message came on. Body shop got ke new shocks but manual because they were cheaper.You think one of the connections got loose? I want to get an idea before I get the lube and take it to the dealership. (They tried to stick $500+ to fix tue door handle which I replaced for $20. I hate em).

Thanks for any ideas

 

[mickeytee]

The above information is usually on the 04/05 cars were the module gets wet.06-09 usually do not have the sysoension module problem as they are zealed better and relocated. I would think if they installedcaspersimulators the most likely didnot zip tie the two connectos together in the rear. A bump could also bend the link on thecontrol arm going to the positon sensors. Theywould be easy to check . the plugs also would not be too hard to locate and make sure they are plugged in.

 

[lextoy]

07 xlr platinum, basically a base, not the V.
never had any service ride control messages, but shop said mag shocks were pretty bad so i opted to let them replace, while redoing brakes.
just had the b8 bilsteins installed and casper simulators.
still have the service ride control message and limit to 80 mph message.
shop initially only installed the 4 white casper plugs for the shocks. skipped the black plugs for the ride height sensors. i didnt know, seemed ok, didnt have any messages until i loaded some weight in the trunk that set it off.
i went back and told them to install the remaining 4 plugs on the ride height sensors, disconnecting the little round sensor with the articulating arm.
they reset the computer again, but both warnings still coming on.
shop did mention one of the ride height sensors was broken, but i never had any messages prior to them removing the mag ride shocks. in any case that broken part is now no longer wired into the car as the simulators replace the 4 plugs to the shocks and the 4 plugs to the ride height sensors correct ? should i have them scan for what is still throwing the service ride control message? no need to replace the broken ride height sensor thats not connected anymore right? they were implying they could replace it...that made no sense to me.
any other trick to get the system to recognize all 8 simulators and reset, stop throwing service messages? the 80 limit is annoying!!! anyone near philly with a tech2, i will pay for a little xlr knowhow!!!!

 

[mickeytee]

When i dothem i completely remove the ride height modules. It ckeans up the clutter and loses 2 pounds. Haha. You do need the sims on the shock wires and the ride height plug. The rear plugs plug in but do not lock together. It requires a zrp tie around the two plugs to hold them firmly connected.i say that the problem. You do still need a good suspension module and the 06-09 rarely fail but do. The bikstein b8 are for lowered cars and have less travel and tge actual damper part is different and works in a different ride height location.. Though this does not affect the module it will not be a comfortable ride unless you have the car lowered 1-2 inches which will bottom out the adjuster on the keaf springs. B6 are a better choice for just replaceing the mag shocks but ive changed out a couple xets to replace with the z06 upgrade and customers like the firmer but not jaw breaking ride. If you are lowered and running nonrun flat tires , im not sure youwill like the b8. Maybe if you autocross
Check the sim connections thats most likely your issue.. I
A tech two will tell you if one corner is not reading proper voltage

 

[lextoy]

First two pics show the white simulators that go to the wire from the top of the shock. Rear wheel location is kinda hanging, front is tucked in above the new strut. Next two pics are of the ride height sensors "without" the black simulators. Pics are from last week. Black sims installed today... But no change in messages yet.

 

[lextoy]

B8 does seem quite a bit more jarring than the mag ride. I preferred it more the caddy refined ride. Just got new tires. Continental dws06 plus. Non run flat. You think I need to get it lowered an inch all the way around to get the shocks to a more optimal absorbing position? It does feel a little looser at high speed like it wants to wander more easily, front end a bit less planted. It's going straight, just not as locked down as it used to feel above 75. Will lowering ease up the ride a bit? Where are you located mickeytee?

 

[lextoy]

mickeytee, you are always saying the rear sims need to be ziptied. do you mean two white and two black, rear drivers and rear passenger sims, or one in each wheel well? each wheel has a shock sim (white) and a ride height sim (black) casper instructions talk about the gray(white) shock sims needing to be zip tied. are you calling those the rears? that would mean one at each wheel, the shock sim.
i think if my buddies computer will scan the xlr it will reveal where to start checking plugs... any special reset functions in the ecu with a tech two i should mention to him? i assume he has a tech 2, from the way he is describing it. I rather pay a shop to do this kind of stuff, but that was the 3rd visit and throwing money at them doesnt seem to work... so now i gotta dig into this myself, grrrr.

 

[mickeytee]

Ill try and get a photo of what im talking about . no programming needed but you may need to drive a mile

 

[lextoy]

Update, after getting a Chinese tech 2 to scan codes and check the suspension system, found that 3 of the 4 Casper resistors for the struts were fried. That happened when they only installed those 4, and not the ride height sensor resistors. (Original shop did that) We saw with the tech2 while driving, zero change in the 3 locations for voltage % reading for the struts, while one was modulating from 0 to 30%. The dead strut readings were the ones throwing the codes. The 4 ride height sensors were reading a steady 2.24 v, and no codes. Caspers was great and mailed me a new set of 4 gray resistors.
Moral of the story is install all 8 at the same time!! I used electrical tape to secure every resistor to its plug, the 4 gray plugs(for the struts) definitely need it as they don't snap in, the 4 black plugs snap in, but I did it anyway.
I redid the zip ties at all 8 locations to make sure they were safely tucked away from moving suspension parts. I can see how the strut resistors might need a bigger voltage capacity... If they burn out again, I'll order a different style on eBay and splice them in myself. The strut resistor has to absorb the voltage that the module is sending that would have adjusted the mag ride viscosity. I'm sure that wasn't a low voltage. The ride height resistors are just sending a signal to the module, so are very unlikely to fail.

 

[mickeytee]

Interesting. Ive got maybe 30 sets installed and never had a failure. i do install all 8 We used to just solder in the resister direct but liked the plug ins as one day you might want to go back to mag ride should the price drop. Id say your problem is in the grounds .next ime you are there remove the ground on the frame on all four corners and remove and clean them.

 

[lextoy]

Latest update. Casper's strut resistors kept failing. I assume they can't take the load being sent by the still active suspension module. Looking around and asking around, came to the conclusion I need 50 to 100watt resistors, ideally 1 to 3 ohms but ohms not that important, only that lower ohms generate less heat. Found this kit on Amazon and ordered them. Easy install. You can see the resistors are much bigger, the size of your pinky, the Casper's were tiny like the size of a grain of rice embedded in epoxy and couldn't dissipate heat. Fronts went on perfectly, had to make Minor modification of the plug so it would fit on the rear pigtail. See the pics. This kit got rid of my service suspension and 80mph limit warnings. Finally after 3 months of fighting with this. Oh yeah I left my ride height resistors on from Casper's, they were fine. I burned up 6 total strut resistors. Lol
Pic of the new big resistor installed, plug how it fit on the fronts, and how I had to clip out the plastic for the rears, pic of my old Casper's on the ride height sensor, and a fun pic of my tech2 clone readings.

Amazon.com