AIR SUSPENSION

[BAMF327]

I HAVE A 1996 TOWN CAR WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I LOADED UP THE TRUNK FOR VACATION.THEN 20 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE "CHECK AIR SUSPENSION" LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT TO MY 1200 MILE DESTINATION AND EMPTIED THE TRUNK. FROM THAT POINT ON THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF EVERY TRIP EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WOULD PUMP UP AND SIT LEVEL. NOW 3 WEEKS LATER THE COMPRESSOR WONT EVEN TURN ON. THE FUSE AND RELAY ARE BOTH GOOD. I JUMP THE TERMINALS AT THE RELAY AND THE COMPRESSOR TURNS ON BUT WILL NOT LIFT THE REAR OF THE CAR UP. SO I JACKED THE CAR UP JUST ENOUGH TO SLIDE UNDER TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE AIR BAGS (SWITCH OFF) AS I DID I HEARD THE BAGS DEFLATING.THE BAGS LOOK OK. NOW THE CAR IS EXTREMELY LOW IN THE BACK. WHY DID IT SENSE THE CAR WAS TOO HIGH AND DEFLATED THE BAG WHEN I JACKED IT UP BUT IT CANT SENSE ITS TOO LOW AND INFLATE IT.THE LIGHT COMES ON WITHIN SECONDS OF START UP NOW. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

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[JC]

You should post this under the Tech/Suspension forum. BLUECOLLER should have the answer for you.

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Jack Carter
Silver 97

[NDPhann]

Originally posted by BAMF327:
I HAVE A 1996 TOWN CAR WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I LOADED UP THE TRUNK FOR VACATION.THEN 20 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE "CHECK AIR SUSPENSION" LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT TO MY 1200 MILE DESTINATION AND EMPTIED THE TRUNK. FROM THAT POINT ON THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF EVERY TRIP EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WOULD PUMP UP AND SIT LEVEL. NOW 3 WEEKS LATER THE COMPRESSOR WONT EVEN TURN ON. THE FUSE AND RELAY ARE BOTH GOOD. I JUMP THE TERMINALS AT THE RELAY AND THE COMPRESSOR TURNS ON BUT WILL NOT LIFT THE REAR OF THE CAR UP. SO I JACKED THE CAR UP JUST ENOUGH TO SLIDE UNDER TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE AIR BAGS (SWITCH OFF) AS I DID I HEARD THE BAGS DEFLATING.THE BAGS LOOK OK. NOW THE CAR IS EXTREMELY LOW IN THE BACK. WHY DID IT SENSE THE CAR WAS TOO HIGH AND DEFLATED THE BAG WHEN I JACKED IT UP BUT IT CANT SENSE ITS TOO LOW AND INFLATE IT.THE LIGHT COMES ON WITHIN SECONDS OF START UP NOW. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.



I'm having a similar problem with my '95 Continental. But unlike yours, my suspension inflates and stays up. I posted my problem on the Suspension forum. Watch and the replies might apply to us both.

Ross


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[BLUECOLLAR]

Sounds like you may have a problem that has turned into several. First off, you said the air came out of the springs WHILE THE SUSPENSION SWITCH WAS OFF...right? If the springs have vented WITH THE SWITCH OFF, it can only be 2 things:
1)the o-rings around the solenoid are leaking "VERY RARE".
2)The air springs themselves are leaking.

*IMPORTANT NOTE*: If the suspension switch was still on when you jacked up the rear, the sensor will tell the module that its too high and let out the air(vent).

You should make a soapy water solution(dishwashing soap and water) and spray down the rubber part of the air spring. If you see bubbles, thats where the problems started.

Unfortunately, the suspension system is all automatic and if theres a leak in the system, it will keep turning on the compressor and making adjustments until the leak is so bad that it can't put "in" as much as is "going out".

By the time the driver/owner notices a problem, it has usually waisted the compressor. So now, we know the problem started out PROBABLY being a leak, but now has taken out the compressor.

What gives the relay a signal to turn on the compressor? The module. Sometimes,not very often, but sometimes the transistor(relay inside the module) goes bad because of the pump being turned off..on..off..on. The whole system is getting a serious workout all from one problem....a leak. Now the system is working 5 to 10 times more than it was designed to do. On an already old and worn system, it doesn't last long.

As far as the lite coming on after a short time, the module gives the rest of the system ABOUT 90 seconds or so to accomplish the goal set forth by the module(either vent or pump), if it doesn't meet the goal(even if its close), it thinks theres a problem, turn on the lite and shuts the system down. Until either the ignition switch is switched off, then on or the suspension switch turned off then on(reset), the system won't try anything again.

First thing you need to do is analize the damage, one piece at a time.
1)when the rear is low(put weight in it if not), check for a signal(ground) coming from the module. This ground is what tells the relay-to turn on the compressor. REMEMBER:The module will only give it a signal(ground) for 90 seconds. If it isn't getting the signal, the module is probably toast.
2)I can let you borrow a pressure gauge to test the compressor if you would like.
3)Leak test the air springs.

If you wind up needing a compressor, let me know...thats what I do. Look in the advertisement section.
Replace all bad components and you'll be back in business. Post back and tell me your findings.