Cadillac Repair: air ride, air bladder, rear shocks

Question
QUESTION: i have a 1976 seville i have a ticking sound that comes from the air ride container in the front under hood . what could cause this and it has an air input like on a tire how much presser should the container hold. thanks

ANSWER: Charlie,
From memory, your system is electric right? Not vacuum driven. Pretty sure. Anyways, the ticking sound is most likely the relay or possibly even the exhaust solenoid. The Schrader fitting is for testing the system. The compressor comes on as needed to supply the rear shocks. There's a level sensor under the rear of the car that attaches to the rear suspension, it commands the compressor and/or exhaust valve.

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QUESTION: what is the tire valve steam for and how much presser does it take i checked the presser and their was none. should their be any reading on the tire gage?

Answer
Charlie,
As I stated in my first response, the Schrader fitting (you call it a "tire valve") is only there for test purposes. It will not show you what you want. Also, there is no spec for the system pressure because it varies depending on load. I believe the system's MAX. pressure is approx. 80psi but you DON'T want to ever see that while testing.
As I said, the compressor should come on when the level sensor calls for it to. At that point, it will run and produce pressure to fill the rear shocks. If the system has a big leak, and the compressor can't raise the car because of it, the compressor will "time-out" and shut off for the remainder of that ignition cycle (turning the key OFF, resets the timer). What you need to do is reach under the car and feel the air bladder on one of the rear shocks. If it's got not air in it, and the rear of the car appears low, check the sensor on the rear suspension.