Bad ride after it came off the lift

[Dan Zukowski]

My 1994 Continental rode fine until my mechanic forgot to turn off the ride control before lifting it. Now it doesn't sag but it rides like $#!&! It seems to be only the back shocks that are not lifting when the compressor comes on. I put a ruller next to the car and they didn't budge. I am also getting a service light when I start the car but when I start driving the car it goes off. Any suggestions? I have to reiterate, it doesn't look like a low rider but the ride is equal to a truck on a bumpy dirt road! :confused: :eek: :mad:

[ekooke]

Check your rear height sensor mechanical & electrical connections.

[Dan Zukowski]

Can you tell me where it is located :confused: Is there any other possibilities?

[mystery]

Forgetting to switch off the suspension when lifting it causes the computer to think the heights are too high, so it deletes most or all of the air in an attempt to bring it down. When the car is put back on the ground, it would be flat and would have been a hard fall.

This may cause some air struts to be damaged, causing a leak.

Or what may have happened in your case is that one or more actuators (located on top of each strut) may have been damaged or disconnected. The actuator controls whether the strut is to be firm or soft. i.e. front actuators make the struts firm when braking; back actuators make the struts firm when accelerating; hard cornerning causes the left or right side to firm up.
If an actuator is malfunctioning, you will get the Ride Control Light soon after starting the ignition.

If it is the actuator, these are quite pricey (as with everything) from the dealer. You may want to try Bagmaster or Arnott to see if they have any.

[Dan Zukowski]

The ride control light never comes on unless I turn off the switch. All I get is the general "service" light briefly when I start it but it goes away shortly after I start driving the car.

[Dan Zukowski]

Sooooo, I just felt the boot and it appears to be hard, not mushy so I don't think it is losing air, it's just not lifting like it should for that floaty ride. :confused: I don't know what to look for next.

[mystery]

What do you mean 'not lifting' for the floaty ride? The only time height is added is if the height sensor tells the computer the side is too low.

Measure all four wheel heights (on level road) from the road to the top of the fenders. Fronts should be anywhere from 28 - 28.5". Rears should be around 28". If they are significantly higher than this, this would be the cause of your rough ride because of the increased air pressure in the struts.

** Before doing the following, ensure your struts 'vent': turn on car then add weight to rear. Turn off ignition, then remove weight, then close all doors: car should lower a bit. Repeat process in front.

If your car properly vents, do the following:
If the rears were too high, you can adjust the rear height sensor located near the right rear wheel:

- turn off air suspension switch

- jack up rear right side

- go under the car from the rear right up to where the axle is

- you will see a 'dial' mechanism with a couple of wires going into it: this is the height sensor
- on this height sensor, loosen the 3/8" (or 5/8" can't remember) screws. Turn the lever/dial either towards or away from the body of the car (can't remember which way is to heighten or lower)

- re-tighten screws (not too tight)

- lower car, turn on switch, turn on car and see difference in rear height: measure to see if it is close to 28"

- repeat above to adjust as desired

Note that the front height sensors can be adjusted in the same manner, but since there is one on each side, you must get each side within 1/2" of each other; otherwise they will be constantly 'fighting' to get to the right height. Hopefully it is just your rear height that has to be adjusted.

Good Luck

[ September 25, 2003: Message edited by: mystery ]

[Dan Zukowski]

Well, here is what I found. 26" on one side and 27 1/2" on the other side measuring to the middle of the wheelwell. So it looks like I am not getting enough air into the strut. If it were fully deflated it would be considerably less, correct? Like the tire would be in the wheel well and you wouldn't be able to see the whole tire from a side view? I also don't here any clicks when the compressor comes on. I just want to make sure I troubleshoot this correctly and your help is greatly appreciated.

[ekooke]

quote:Originally posted by Dan Zukowski:
Well, here is what I found. 26" on one side and 27 1/2" on the other side measuring to the middle of the wheelwell. So it looks like I am not getting enough air into the strut. If it were fully deflated it would be considerably less, correct? Like the tire would be in the wheel well and you wouldn't be able to see the whole tire from a side view? I also don't here any clicks when the compressor comes on. I just want to make sure I troubleshoot this correctly and your help is greatly appreciated.


The 27-1/2" isn't too bad. The 26" is too low, and that's probably your inactive strut. Reach up behind each rear wheel well and squeeze the bladders for comparison. One that's low on air pressure will have SOME give to it, while one that's fully inflated will be rock hard. If both rears are rock hard, what's the height of the FRONT wheel wells? If the front heights aren't near equal, one of the height sensors could have been knocked out of adjustment during its time on the rack. Anyway, do the sit in the trunk trick first to see if you can get the solenoids to fire after the compressor comes on. If you only hear one solenoid fire, you may have a break or burned spot in the wire harness connector leading to the non-firing solenoid at the strut; this is usually the ground wire, since the + side is always hot, and the other (-) wire grounds thru the suspension computer. If neither solenoid fires when you do the sit-in-trunk exercise, it's probably the single height sensor (tiny shock absorber) attached to the rear axle & frame. Check to see that the sensor is firmly attached at both ends, AND that the electrical connector to the sensor is fully seated.

[mystery]

You didn't give the heights of the front wheels.

A high front right wheel will cause the rear left to be low; a high front left wheel will cause the rear right to be low.

Make sure you are on level ground.

[Dan Zukowski]

Mystery, you are the man. 28" all the way around :D I dit the adjustment you suggested and I'm stylin again. It is much appreciated. P.S. I hope to share a picture of my 94 soon here on the board.