ch14

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 1 Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Chapter 14
Electronic Suspension
and Steering Systems
Objectives
Identify the components of electronic

suspension systems.
Explain the operation of electronic
suspension systems.
Identify types of electronic suspension
systems.
Explain the operation of electronic steering
systems.
Identify the components of electronic steering
systems.
Electronic Suspension System
Fundamentals
Electronic suspension system uses
electronic components to control parts
of suspension system
Systems vary according to:
Type and number of input sensors
Whether air compressor is present
Number of wheels controlled
Fundamentals
All systems control operation of shock absorbers or
strut cartridges
Most air-operated systems control ride height and
quality by increasing or decreasing air in air shocks
Air shock systems always contain an air compressor
Hydraulic systems:
Have no compressor
Control ride quality but not ride height
Regulate hydraulic flow through shock absorber internal
parts
Fundamentals
Basic suspension components of
electronic suspension identical to those
on conventional suspension systems
Electronic Suspension Input
Sensors
Variety of input sensors used
Most systems use one or more:
Height sensors
Vehicle speed sensors
Acceleration sensors
Steering wheel rotation sensors
Switches
Height Sensors
Height sensor
converts position of
vehicle body and
axle into electrical
signal
Some vary electrical
resistance as
distance changes
Some vary magnetic
field of current
passing through
sensor as distance
changes (Buick)
Height Sensors
When current flow varies, voltage varies

Control module reads change in voltage
as change in height
Sensor usually installed on body or
frame
Linkage connects sensor to axle or
control arm
When weight added or removed from
vehicle, body moves in relation to axle
Height Sensors
When system compensates for weight
change:
Lever moves in opposite direction
Movement tells control module that ride
height correct
Common systems use:
Two sensors on front suspension
• Attached to lower control arm and body
One on rear
• Attached to rear axle and body
Height Sensors
Height sensor:
Records position of suspension part it is
attached to
Sends information to control module
Control module
Interprets sensor signal vehicle height
Height Sensors
Advantage of system:
Control module can monitor height at all
four wheels
Make changes to keep vehicle level
Vehicle Speed Sensor
Vehicle speed sensor

either attached:
To output shaft of
transmission or transaxle
In differential of rear-
wheel drive vehicle
Consists of:
Toothed wheel
Small coil
Uses magnetism to
(Toyota)
create AC signal
Some speed sensors wired to engine

control module (ECM) or body control
module (BCM)
ECM or BCM controls engine factors
such as fuel mixture and ignition timing
based partially on signal from speed
sensor
ECM also directs speed input to
suspension control module
Acceleration Sensor
Acceleration sensor or accelerometer:

Measures speed of vehicle acceleration or
deceleration
Input from sensor used to calculate
suspension firmness
Keeps vehicle body level during heavy
acceleration or braking
Acceleration Sensor
Some sensors, are

lateral
accelerometers:
Mount at right angle
to centerline of
vehicle
Detect body roll
when vehicle turns
sharply
(Bosch)
Acceleration Sensor
Modern accelerometer consists of:

Piezoelectric crystal
Weight
Changes in speed and direction cause
weight to press on crystal
Crystal produces small electrical currently
Signal is sent to control module
Steering Wheel Rotation Sensor
Some vehicles use

steering wheel
rotation sensor as
input to suspension
system
Sensor determines:
Which direction
steering wheel is
turned (Nissan)
How quickly steering

wheel is turned
Review Questions
1. All of the following are electronic

suspension input sensors, except:
A. speed sensor.
B. height sensor.
C. temperature sensor.
D. acceleration sensor.
C. temperature sensor.
Switches
Switches are on-off

devices that send
specific signal to
control module
Most are two
position switches
Usually on-off
Some have several
positions
(Corvette)
Switches
Switches include:
Brake pressure switches
Manual control switches
Suspension service switches
Door switches
Brake Pressure Switches
Brake system hydraulic pressure

increases when vehicle brakes hard
Brake pressure switch closes at preset
pressure
When switch closes, voltage signal is
sent to module
Tells module vehicle braking is severe
Brake Pressure Switches
Brake switch located in brake hydraulic

system
Many ride control systems do not use
brake pressure input
Manual Control Switches
Manual control switches:

Driver-accessible switches mounted on
dashboard
Used to move between soft and firm
positions when desired
Manual switches usually have two or
three positions
Suspension Service Switches
Suspension service switch:

Used to disable electronic suspension
system before vehicle raised on lift
• System would attempt to compensate for
suspension changes when wheels drop
• If system not disabled with wheels off ground,
vehicle height will be incorrect when wheels
back on ground
Suspension Service Switches
Suspension
service switch
usually located in
trunk
Switch may be
called on-off
switch by some
manufacturers
(Lexus)
Review Questions
2. True or False? The suspension service

switch must be put in the Off position
before the vehicle is raised on a frame
lift.
True.
Door Switches
Door switch:
Type of input switch
Informs ride control system that someone
is entering or leaving vehicle
Most electronic suspension systems do not
use door switch input
Electronic Suspension Control
Module
Control module:
Computer
• Processes signals (inputs) from input sensors
and sends command signals (output) to output
devices
• Examples: Air compressor and flow control
actuators
Module
(Cadillac)
Module
Microprocessor
Uses control loop principle
Compares input information from sensors
with preset information
Decides whether output devices should be
activated
Module
Control module has delay mechanism
that prevents system activation for 5-10
seconds
Delay mechanism keeps system from
operating excessively when vehicle
driven over rough roads
Module
Most modern modules have data link
connector
Some electronic suspension systems
electrically connected to ECM or PCM
Diagnostic connector of ECM/PCM
retrieves suspension system trouble
codes and other information
Module
Control module can be located anywhere on
vehicle
Under the hood
Dashboard
Under a seat
In trunk
Ride-height suspension modules may be
single units with height sensor
Some vehicles do not have separate module
Module
Suspension control is part of ECM or
PCM
ECM or PCM receives sensor inputs
and makes ride control decisions based
on inputs
Review Questions
3. The electronic suspension _____

processes signals (inputs) from input
sensors and sends command signals
(output) to output devices.
control module
Electronic Suspension Output
Devices
Output of electronically controlled
suspension system may be either:
Air pressure system similar to that of
conventional air shock system
Hydraulic controls located directly at shock
absorber or strut
Some use air and hydraulic components
Electronic Suspension Output
Devices
Air-operated system components
Hydraulic system components
System lights
Air-Operated System Components
Output devices found in air-operated

suspension systems include:
Air compressor
Control relay
Exhaust valve and solenoid
Air drier
Air lines and fittings
Air springs
Air shock absorbers/struts
Air Compressor
Most common air compressor used in

air-operated systems:
Single-piston compressor driven by small
electric motor
Compressor consists of:
Piston and cylinder
Two check valves at top of cylinder
Air Compressor
Check valves arranged so that:

When piston moves down in cylinder, inlet
valve opens by atmospheric pressure
When piston moves up, pressure increase
closes inlet valve
Air Compressor
Outlet valve:
Remains closed
when piston moves
downward
Opens by
pressurized air when
piston moves
upward
(General Motors)
Air Compressor
Compressor assembly contains either:

Pressure relief valve
Pressure relief switch
When preset pressure value reached:
Valve opens to relieve pressure
Switch opens to de-energize motor
• When pressure drops, switch closes and
voltage supplied to motor
• Switch may be replaced by relay
Review Questions
4. How many pistons does the typical air

suspension compressor have?
The typical air suspension compressor

has one piston.
Control Relay
Some compressors operated by relay

Control module energizes relay
Relay sends power to compressor
Relays may be:
Electromechanical (contact point)
Power transistors
Exhaust Valve and Solenoid
Air exhaust valve

operated by
exhaust valve
solenoid
Solenoid:
Controlled by
module
Energized to release
pressure from
system when ride
height excessive (Chevrolet)
Exhaust Valve and Solenoid
Air may be exhausted either:

Directly to atmosphere
Through air drier
(General Motors)
Air Drier
Air drier keeps moisture from entering

shock absorbers
Contains chemical called desiccant
Desiccant absorbs moisture
Air entering system from compressor
passes through drier and moisture
removed
Air Drier
Filter keeps desiccant from entering

other parts of system
When air is released from system, it
passes through drier and takes some
moisture with it
Keeps desiccant from being overloaded
with moisture
Air Drier
Some driers installed ahead of

compressor
Check valve in drier maintains set
pressure in system
Review Questions
5. An air _____ contains a material called

desiccant.
drier
Air Lines and Fittings
Air lines connect other air system parts

Air lines made of plastic tubing
Air line diameter about 1/32'' (0.8 mm)
Air Lines and Fittings
Fitting at end of each air line used to attach
line to other components
Fittings:
Keep lines from blowing off under pressure
Seal against leaks
(Lexus)
Air Springs
Air springs used in place of both spring

and shock absorber in some air-operated
systems
Basic component of air spring is rubber
diaphragm, or membrane
Diaphragm installed between lower
control arm and vehicle body
Air Springs
Filling diaphragm
with air causes it to
expand
As diaphragm
expands, it pushes
body upward
When air removed,
diaphragm
collapses, allowing
body to drop down
(Ford)
Air Shock Absorbers/Struts
Air shock absorbers are conventional

shock absorbers with sealed air
chambers
When used on struts, chambers
sometimes called air bladders
Compressed air can be added to

chambers to:
Compensate for vehicle loading
Increase ride height
Sealed chamber exerts pressure on
shock interior
Pressure causes shock to try to expand
As shock expands, it pushes upward

against vehicle weight, causing rear of
vehicle to rise
Air shocks or struts installed in same
location as conventional shocks and
struts
Review Questions
6. True or False? A vehicle with air springs

has conventional (not air-operated)
shock absorbers.
False. A vehicle with air springs does not

have any shock absorbers.
Hydraulic System Components
On vehicles without air compressor,

internal hydraulic system of shock or
strut controlled to vary ride firmness
Unlike air-operated systems, these
systems cannot control ride height
Hydraulic systems consist of two major
components:
Flow control actuators
Ride relays
Flow Control Actuators
Electric flow control

actuators installed in
shocks or struts
Actuator is electric
solenoid that
operates flow control
valve
Valve controls flow of
hydraulic fluid
through shock
(General Motors)
Flow Control Actuators
Most flow control solenoids pulse on

and off
On for certain percentage of time
vehicle is operating
Percentage may be called duty cycle
Solenoid and valve assembly located in
shock or strut
Review Questions
7. Flow control actuators are used on

_____ ride control systems.
hydraulic
Ride Relays
Some systems with flow control

solenoids have soft and firm ride relays
Relays energized from dashboard switch
Modify computer input to compensate for
driver preferences
System Lights
Electronic suspension controls use

indicator lights
Installed in instrument panel
These lights used to:
Indicate system status
Warn of suspension system problem
Status Lights
Some vehicles have
lights at manual
control switch to
indicate which ride
status or mode has
been selected
Lights usually
consist of LEDs
(light emitting
diodes) mounted on
switch itself (Lexus)
Status Lights
Some status lights used to indicate

problems
System has defect if:
All lights are on at once
Lights flash on and off
Some lights are located on center
console
Warning Lights
Some system use dashboard-mounted

warning lights
Light may be:
Standard automotive bulb
LED
Light operated by suspension control
module
Warning Lights
Most warning lights come on briefly when
vehicle started to check module and light
operation
If light is illuminated at any other time,
system has defect
(Nissan)
Types of Electronic Suspension
Systems
Three general types of electronically
controlled suspension systems:
Air-operated ride and height control system
Hydraulic ride control system
Combination system using both air and
hydraulic controls
Air-Operated Ride and Height
Control System
Air-operated ride and height controls
use one of two height adjustment
devices:
Air springs
Air shock absorbers
Control System
Air pressure to either type is:
Increased by air compressor
Decreased by exhaust valve
Electronic control system operates:
Compressor
All associated valves and switches
Control System
Typical sensor inputs include:
Ride height
Vehicle speed
Output devices are:
Air compressor
Exhaust valve
Control System
Control module:
Processes inputs
Issues commands to air compressor and
exhaust valve solenoid
Control System
Height-sensitive system
Speed-sensitive system
Height-Sensitive System
Height-sensitive system
varies pressure
delivered to air springs
or air shocks based on
ride height input
Module operation of
compressor and
pressure relief valve
solenoid controls ride
height
(General Motors)
Distance between axle and body

decreases when weight added
Height sensor lever moves
Telling module that height has decreased
Module energizes compressor motor
Causing compressor to send pressurized
air to air springs or air shocks
Increased pressure raises vehicle body

in relation to axle
When module determines height has
returned to normal, it de-energizes
compressor motor
When extra weight

removed, distance
between axle and body
increases
Height sensor lever
moves in opposite
direction
Height sensor input
causes module to
energize exhaust valve
solenoid
Exhaust valve opens (General Motors)
Air pressure exits system

Body moves downward
When height returns to normal, module
de-energizes exhaust valve solenoid
Height-sensitive system may also be
used as part of combination system
Speed-Sensitive System
Speed-sensitive suspension lowers vehicle body as

speed increases
Accomplished by reducing air pressure in shocks or
struts as speed increases
When speed is reduced, air compressor energizes,
causing vehicle height to increase
(Ford)
Control module receives input directly

from vehicle speed sensor or by way of
ECM or PCM
When vehicle reaches preset speed:
ECM or PCM releases air pressure from air
springs or shocks
Vehicle is lowered
Amount vehicle is lowered varies with

engine speed
System does not operate until vehicle
reaches cruising speeds
Review Questions
8. A speed-sensitive suspension lowers

the vehicle body as the vehicle’s speed
_____.
increases
Hydraulic Damping Systems
Module varies operation of solenoids to

control flow of fluid in shocks or struts
Can be done:
• Manually through instrument panel switch
• Automatically by control module based on
sensor inputs
• A combination of manual and automatic
controls
Input sensors for

hydraulic ride
control system
include:
Accelerometer
Speed sensor
Brake pressure
(Lexus)
sensor
Steering wheel
position sensor
Control module:
Processes inputs from sensors
Energizes solenoids at shocks or struts
Solenoid operation reduces amount of
flow through fluid orifices
Firming suspension as necessary
Control module can control individual

solenoids
Results in variations in firmness from one
side of vehicle to other
Helpful when cornering or hard braking
Manual control systems

Automatic control systems
Manual Control Systems
Instrument panel switch controls manual

system
Switch may be:
Two-position, generally on-off switch
Three-position switch, with additional
“automatic” (or auto) position
• Automatic control takes over when selected
Automatic Control Systems
Control module operates automatic

system based on inputs from sensors
Inputs include:
Accelerometer
Sometimes steering wheel and brake
sensors
System stiffens suspension when
sensors signal firmer suspension needed
When accelerometer input indicates
vehicle being braked hard:
Module signals control solenoids, or
actuators, in shocks/struts to close
Damping effect increased
Increased shock firmness reduces
tendency of vehicle to dive during hard
braking
When input indicates hard braking over:

Module signals solenoids to allow normal
flow through shocks or struts
Ride quality returns to normal settings for
maximum passenger comfort
System performs similar function when
vehicle accelerated or cornered hard
Combination Systems
Combination system consists of both:

Air-operated shock absorbers
Hydraulic damping valves
System performs functions of air-
operated system:
Height control
Lowering at cruising speeds
Combination Systems
System performs functions of hydraulic

system:
Control of body level during heavy
acceleration, braking, or cornering
Varying ride feel
Operation of system similar to operation
of individual systems
Electronic Steering Control
Systems
Electronic steering control system:
Provides maximum power assist at low
speeds
Reduces assist at high speeds
Increases road feel and steering stability
Systems
System functions by monitoring:
Vehicle speed
Speed at which steering wheel is turned
System uses this information to control
output of power steering pump
Systems
If electronic steering control system
fails:
Power steering pump output is not affected
Power steering system operates normally
Dashboard mounted light warns driver
of system failure
Systems
Control system components
Control system operation
Electric power steering systems
Control System Components
Basic components of electronic steering

systems same as conventional steering
system:
Pump
Gearbox
Connecting hoses
Control System Components
Electronic components used to modify

operation of basic parts
Common electronic components:
Input devices
Control module
Output devices
Input Devices
Two most common input sensors used

in electronic steering control systems:
Steering wheel rotation sensor
Vehicle speed sensor operates in same

manner as described earlier
ac signal created in sensor
Sensor signals ECM or PCM
ECM or PCM sends speed reading to
steering control module
Steering wheel
rotation sensor
installed in
steering column
Two basic types:
Electromagnetic
sensor
Optical sensor
(Lexus)
Electromagnetic sensor creates variable

ac voltage
Operates in same manner as wheel
speed sensor
Frequency sent to control module as
steering wheel turning speed signal
Optical sensor (or optical disc) senses

steering wheel speed using:
Photo cell
Photo diode
Shutter assembly
Photo diode creates light signal that is

picked up by photocell
Photocell converts light beam to
electrical signal
Shutter:
Connected to steering shaft
Rotates with it
As shutter turns, slits interrupt light
beam
How fast light beam interrupted
determines electrical signal sent to
module
Review Questions
9. All of the following are part of a steering

wheel rotation optical sensor, except:
A. flow control actuator.
B. photo cell.
C. shutter assembly.
D. photo diode.
A. flow control actuator.

Control Module
Control module:
Processes inputs from vehicle and steering
wheel speed sensors
Sends output command to flow control
solenoid
Module usually installed near steering
wheel
Output Devices
Several devices used to control steering

effort in power steering system
Some mounted on power steering pump
Others installed on steering gear
Systems will have only one type of
output device
Output Devices
Output devices include:

Flow control solenoid
Inlet hose check valve
Pressure control solenoid
Electromagnet
Flow Control Solenoid
Flow control solenoid and valve

assembly:
Diverts flow to pump reservoir
Installed in outlet line of power steering
pump
Pulses on and off to control amount of fluid
diverted
Flow Control Solenoid
Module controls pulse time (or duty cycle) of

solenoid
(Toyota)
Inlet Hose Check Valve
Inlet to power steering gear contains

internal inlet hose check valve
If vehicle strikes pothole or bump when
flow rate low, severe kickback may be
felt in steering wheel
Inlet Hose Check Valve
Check valve:
Keeps fluid from backing up through inlet
hose
Reduces kickback by allowing fluid in gear
to absorb some shock
Not all systems use this valve
Pressure Control Solenoid
Controls pressure to steering gear valve

Increases or decreases steering effort
Solenoid located on rack-and-pinion steering
gear
(General Motors)
Electromagnet
Some systems use electromagnet

assembly
Assembly located at power steering
valve in rack-and-pinion steering gear
Electromagnet
Electromagnetic
assembly consists of:
Permanent magnet
attached to input shaft of
valve
Two pole pieces (also
magnets) attached to
output section of valve
Magnetic coil installed in
pinion gear housing
(General Motors)
Control System Operation
In operation, electronic steering control

system components work together:
To control steering system operation
Regardless of type of output device used
Flow control systems
Pressure control systems
Electromagnetic systems
Flow Control Systems
At low vehicle speeds, module instructs

flow solenoid to allow full oil flow to
power steering gear
Solenoid opens completely
System inoperative
Control module still receives and
processes inputs from sensors
At high speeds:
Rate at which steering wheel turned affects
electronic steering system operation
At straight-ahead cruising speeds, module
reduces power steering fluid flowing to
steering gear
Low fluid flow increases power steering

effort
Gives driver more control and road feel
When steering wheel rotation sensor
indicates steering wheel moving quickly:
Module signals flow control solenoid to
move to fully open position
• Provides full power assist needed to make
quick steering maneuver at high speeds
Pressure Control Systems
Steering gear valve contains small

hydraulic pistons
Pistons use power steering pump
pressure to oppose movement of
steering gear
Extra pressure increases steering effort
Electric solenoid:
Operated by control module
Regulates hydraulic pressure to pistons
At low speeds, solenoid reduces
pressure to pistons
Results in minimum steering effort
At higher speeds, solenoid allows

pressure to pistons to increase:
Increasing steering effort
Improving road feel
Electromagnetic Systems
At low speeds:
Coil de-energized
Power steering at maximum assist
As speed increases:
Module proportionally energizes coil
Increasing current flow builds up magnetic
field around magnets in power steering
control valve
Electromagnetic Systems
Magnetic field increases resistance

between input and output sections of
valve
Driver input to steering gear has less effect
Driver must put more effort into turning
steering wheel to move steering gear
Increase in effort improves road feel
Electric Power Steering Systems
Power steering system

on some late-model
vehicles operated by
electric motor
Kinds of electric power
steering:
Electrohydraulic
• Steering conventional
hydraulic type, but
pump driven by electric
motor, not engine-driven
belt
(TRW)
Three electromechanical types have no
hydraulic components
Motor in these electromechanical
systems is installed:
(A) In steering gear and moves rack directly
(B) On steering column and operates pinion
gear meshed with ring gear attached to
steering shaft
(C) On rack and next to, and meshing with,
pinion gear
A B C
(TRW)
All electric power steering systems

operate on same principles
Computer controls overall system
operation
Computer bases decisions on inputs from
sensors
Sensor on steering column provides

inputs on:
Turning effort
Speed of steering wheel movement
Speed sensors provide vehicle speed
input
Vehicle speed inputs come from same

sensors that provide inputs used to
control:
Automatic transmission shifting
Anti-lock brake (ABS) operation
Computer:
Processes inputs
Sends voltage to electric motor
Amount and direction of voltage
depends on inputs received from
sensors
At low speeds or during parking,

computer sends high voltage to motor to
provide maximum steering assist
At high speeds, computer sends
relatively small voltage to motor
Reduces assist to increase road feel
Review Questions
10. True or False? Some electric power

steering systems have hydraulic
components.
True.

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Identify the components of electronic

When current flow varies, voltage varies

Vehicle speed sensor

Some speed sensors wired to engine

Acceleration sensor or accelerometer:

Some sensors, are

Modern accelerometer consists of:

Some vehicles use

How quickly steering

1. All of the following are electronic

Switches are on-off

Brake system hydraulic pressure

Brake switch located in brake hydraulic

Manual control switches:

Suspension service switch:

2. True or False? The suspension service

3. The electronic suspension _____

Output devices found in air-operated

Most common air compressor used in

Check valves arranged so that:

Compressor assembly contains either:

4. How many pistons does the typical air

The typical air suspension compressor

Some compressors operated by relay

Air exhaust valve

Air may be exhausted either:

Air drier keeps moisture from entering

Filter keeps desiccant from entering

Some driers installed ahead of

5. An air _____ contains a material called

Air lines connect other air system parts

Air springs used in place of both spring

Air shock absorbers are conventional

Compressed air can be added to

As shock expands, it pushes upward

6. True or False? A vehicle with air springs

False. A vehicle with air springs does not

On vehicles without air compressor,

Electric flow control

Most flow control solenoids pulse on

7. Flow control actuators are used on

Some systems with flow control

Electronic suspension controls use

Some status lights used to indicate

Some system use dashboard-mounted

Distance between axle and body

Increased pressure raises vehicle body

When extra weight

Air pressure exits system

Speed-sensitive suspension lowers vehicle body as

Control module receives input directly

Amount vehicle is lowered varies with

8. A speed-sensitive suspension lowers

Module varies operation of solenoids to

Input sensors for

Control module can control individual

Manual control systems

Instrument panel switch controls manual

Control module operates automatic

When input indicates hard braking over:

Combination system consists of both:

System performs functions of hydraulic