another guy with an air ride problem

[apierce]

Hey guys,

I have read through quite a few posts on air ride issues and after all of that I feel like I should still post my particular situation.

- My car is currently sitting such that the fronts measure 27/27.5 inches (from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the well) and the backs measure 24.5/25. That's how it is in the morning before I have started it.
- When I turn the ignition the compressor kicks on but I see no height changes.
- After about 90 seconds the compressor times out and I get the "Check Air Ride" message.

Based on that and what I've read I almost feel as though I have two problems...leaks and vents that aren't working. Maybe both front sensors are bad but that seems unlikely. This didn't seem to fit most people's flavor or problem.

Any advice.

Thanks. Adam

[partsman662002]

Is the compressor making alot of noise when it runs? Mine did something simliar to that, except it went BANG BANG BANG, then stopped.
I am not sure what the measurements should be. I think the back will measure a little lower, because of the shape of the wheel well.
Do all the solenoids click?
Take a look here http://www.markviii.org/psjs_faqs/04051030.shtml

[Fordace]

The upper sensor mounts bend and break easy on the 93-97's.

If the front suspension height sensor upper mount requires replacement, it can be serviced by replacing the height sensor ball stud instead of replacing the entire upper control arm.

SERVICE PROCEDURE



Turn off air suspension system. The switch is located in the trunk on the LH side.
Raise vehicle on hoist and remove front wheel/tire assembly where suspect height sensor mount is located.
Remove ride height sensor.
Remove broken height sensor ball stud from upper control arm. This may require use of a grinder/cutting wheel.
Using pliers, straighten the height sensor mounting bracket on the upper control arm.
Install service Ball Stud (E8OY-5C561-A) into the height sensor mounting bracket on the upper control arm. Tighten the nut on the service ball stud to 13.6 N-m (10 lb-ft).
Reinstall ride height sensor or replace Ride Height Sensor (F3LY-5359-C) as required.
Reinstall wheel/tire assembly. Torque wheel lug nuts to 115-142 N-m (85-105 lb-ft).
Lower vehicle.
Turn on air suspension system.Parts #s needed......

E8OY-5C561-A - Height Sensor Ball Stud
F3LY-5359-C - Height Sensor

:)

[apierce]

partsman -

According to the factory manuals 24.5'' give or take for the measurement I gave is normal. That makes my fronts about 3 inches too high. The compressor doesn't seem to be making any more noise than it used to. As far as the solenoids...I guess I am not trained well enough to hear them clicking but I am guessing the fronts aren't opening.

fordace -

The thing that is confusing to me is that both of my fronts are high. I can see one height sensor having trouble but two at the same time seems strange.

Thanks guys.

[partsman662002]

When you park the car, does it vent to "parked height"? Next time you park your car, get out, leave the door open, make note of the height, then shut the door...the car should lower about 3/4". In the winter the cold causes the vent to freeze stuck, but I am sure this is not the case, as it was in the 60's today (I live in Eastern Ma too).
I have to wonder about the chances of BOTH sensors going bad at the same time.
Do you ever find your car completely lowered in the morning?
Is your "door ajar" light stuck on?
I am not sure about the height measurements on my car, I have converted to coil springs anyways, now the rear of mine seems high (I will be chopping a coil out soon). I do remember thinking that the rear always looked lower, when it had air suspension, and seem to recall people saying that it was normal.

[Turbo8]

Same problem here and yes my door is open light is on.
Whats that mean?

[partsman662002]

I think that I read that when the switch in the door latch sticks, it causes the door ajar message, and it also makes the computer think the door is still open, which would keep the car from venting to parked height. Look here for info on the door ajar message http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00089.html
Did you read the other page that I posted the link to?

[apierce]

partsman,

Yeah unfortunately it never gets to what you would consider "parked height". When I get home after work the fronts measure about 27 and when I get up in the morning they measure the same thing. According to the manuals the front should sit about 1/4 inch about the rear give or take...so they are way off. I was hoping the weather today would loosen something up, but no dice. For now I have just the air ride off to save the compressor and see what happens to the front over time.

Turbo8,

Partsman is right...the literature says that the car will not vent when it believes there is a door open on the chance that it might lower itself onto a curb or something like that. If your car thinks its door is open (even when it isn't) it will probably do the same thing (i.e. not vent). I had that problem before and worked the crap out of the latch with WD40 followed by silicon spray.

[Encouragable]

I had a problem with the compressor running until the check air ride light came on. I replaced the air compressor and all is well. I think the dryer on the compressor was the problem but I ordered my compressor with a new one. When I removed it the stuff inside rattled and came out when I shook it while it was upside down. I think it stoped up one of the 4 lines that leave the dryer on the inside. the reason I think that is that once in a while the air ride light would not come on.

[apierce]

Just to give an update...

After riding for about a month with the air ride off (what can I say, I'm a busy guy). I took my Mark in for the recall and to get the air ride checked out. They got back to me saying that the right/front height sensor needs to be replaced and also that the top ball stud needs to be replaced as well...necessitating that the upper control arm be swapped out. The guy called me at the end of the day so I wasn't able to call him back, but after thinking about it I couldn't figure out how the ball stud could be bad.

Anyway...let's say the guy is right and the ball stud and sensor are bad. If I wanted to do this on the cheap do you think I can buy the sensor myself and figure out some other way to attach the sensor to the upper control arm. Seems like a waste to trash a control arm just for the ball stud. Just a thought...maybe I need to pony up and pay but I am not going out without a fight.

Thanks

Adam