2000 Navigator air suspension

[Kent]

One morning this week, my 2000 Navigator was making a clicking noise, and the battery was dead. I found the air suspension air compressor constantly trying to come on (it wasn't the vent solenoid), as it was slightly twisting from the torque of the motor.

As I attempted to jump start the vehicle, the clicking became more and more rapid, and eventually stopped. I started the vehicle and moved it into my driveway to check it out the next morning.

The next day, I hooked up a 6 AMP battery charger to charge the battery slowly for a couple of hours, but when I turned it on, the clicking/torquing began again (no key in the ignition). Turning "OFF" the suspension switch didn't change anything.

I had to bring home a large battery charger/starter, set it on 40A and began to charge the battery (switch still OFF). The compressor cycled rapidly, then stopped.

Now the suspension does not operate, and the CK SUSP light comes on after about 5 minutes of driving.

I removed the air compressor. I removed the motor housing cover and I was able to hand spin the motor/compressor, so put it back together and bench tested it, and it ran good, although it wasn't hooked up to any air lines.

The 50A fuse is OK, and tomorrow I will replace the air compressor relay. Hopefully the problem isn't the air suspension module, but any comments?

[v8_dave]

Welcome!

So the compressor kept running and running, I would put money on the relay, since the the air suspension shutoff switch was telling the relay not to engage but it did anyway. But since that lil guy outworked himself the compressor may be dead now as well. See what tomorrow brings...

[Fordace]

belated, but better than never....:)

Some 1997-2002 Expedition 4X4 and 1998-2002 Navigator 4X4 vehicles equipped with 4-wheel air suspension, may exhibit repeat air compressor drier failures. The drier cap may become detached from the drier body, or the drier body may be broken at the neck near the compressor head. This may be due to incomplete or incorrect system diagnosis that leads to replacement of only the original air suspension compressor, despite the fact that the compressor is not the root cause of the concern. Compressor failure in these instances is only a symptom of an underlying system problem.

If the vehicle does not raise and lower normally, check the solenoid valves and air lines for blockages and/or restrictions. Replace any blocked or restricted solenoids and air lines.