linear pot malfunction

[steve everard]

Shock pot doesn't change voltage when wiped (very small fluctuation). Took apart and checked continuity from connector to circuit board with good result on all 3 wires. There are 2 rails that the sliding copper wiper contacts to and creates what should be a shorter loop depending on position of shocks thus changing the voltage. Anything else I can check ?

[Rick Kirchner]

have you checked the resistance at both ends of the scale?

Is this a pot or a LDVT?

[steve everard]

It is a pot, measured 4.5k connector to rail, cleaned connector, no change. Didn't look like there is much to go wrong.

[David Ferguson]

I have totally worn out a pair of suspension pots in one spot when there was a bending load applied (the body was hitting a suspension piece -- I didn't think it was much, but I was super surprised whenthe first set lasted 10+ years, and the second set wore out in about 2 events (plus towing miles). In my case changes in suspension geometry (ride heights, damper lengths, pre-load, etc) just put me into the contact range -- in fact this might have been what killed the first set...

Linear pots are not good for bump stops, nor droop limiters and they can't tolerate even a very small bending load.

I have cleaned and re-tensioned the wiper arms on some pots to give them another weekend or so of life -- but you will soon need replacement pots.