Air ride help!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Duck]

1st, let me say that I know less than nothing about the air ride, as this is the first one I have owned. Total Newb!!:o

Ok, my 93 is flat on the ground, it was that way when I bought it and I just getting a chance to work on it.
1. The check a/s light comes on at once.
2. Plugged in the tester codes were the hight sensors are out of range. OK, its on the ground. Turned off a/r switch.
3. Jacked up the front and let it back down and reran the test. No beeps from the control box, compressor runs until it times out, but the car does not rise, no check a/s light until the time out.
4. Opened the door twice and reran the test. Nothing. No codes, compressor does not run, nothing.

I am at a loss on where to start. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.


I went out and jacked up the front, and turned on the key. Noise from the rear, sounds like bags trying to fill, then 2 clicks and check a/r light comes on.
Any ideas?

It is working fine after I changed the compressor and got it to air up the rear then the front. Went back out and started the car, let the compressor cycle, shut off the car. The solenoids vented and the car is at the right height.
Post too soon...... rear flat, compressor not running, check a/r message as soon as key turned on and 2 clicks from rear.

[luxuryrules]

Sounds like the compressor is shot, at a minimum. You're very likely looking at some leaky bags as well, but first thing is to get a compressor in there that can pick the car up and you can continue troubleshooting from there.

Very likely, previous owner knew the bags were leaking, but figured "Hey, it picks itself up every time" and let it go, eventually that burned out the compressor.

[Duck]

Thanks,
I will give it a try. I have another compressor that is supposed to be good. I will put it on and check.

[luxuryrules]

Cool, good that you have a source of parts readily available. A parts car? Or you just had a Mark VIII compressor sitting in the garage? Or the previous owner gave it to you?

While you are swapping the compressor, there are two other things you should do in there:
Remove the air silencer (it actually makes compressor R&R much easier).
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00024.html
Swap the fuel filter (you probably have no idea when it was last changed)
You can get a Motorcraft fuel filter from Advance Auto Parts for less than ten bucks, just plan a couple days ahead because they likely will have to get it from a warehouse.
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00047.html

Good luck!

[Duck]

Swap the fuel filter (you probably have no idea when it was last changed)
You can get a Motorcraft fuel filter from Advance Auto Parts for less than ten bucks, just plan a couple days ahead because they likely will have to get it from a warehouse.
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00047.html

Good luck!

Thanks for the reminder, Dan. I didn't even think about the fuel filter being there.

[Duck]

:(Replaced the compressor today. No luck!! Nothing, clicks from the rear, compressor doesn't run, a/r message comes on. The compressor I took off looks new and was supposed to be new replacement, so I guess it was.

So back to the drawing board. Anybody have any other ideas?

Thanks,
Duck

[luxuryrules]

Do you have another car that you're using as a parts car? If so, the next thing I'd suspect would be the solenoids.

See the tech section articles for air suspension troubleshooting, especially since it appears you have access to a tester. I see earlier you had the height sensor codes returned. Try the test in the second article and see if it works through the first five steps before stopping. That will help you pinpoint whether it is solenoids or height sensors.

[1958delray]

Before buying more parts, find out why the compressor isn't running. Check for power at the compressor and work backwards from there. Once the car pumps itself up, you can troubleshoot the leak(s). Check the fuse and the relay!

[jccpd]

Try swapping the relay from the ABS module with the one in your air ride. The ABS module is located on the driver side behind the driver's side front turn signal. See if that powers up your compressor.

[preston]

I agree, follow the system from the fuse / relay block on back to the bags. Good luck!
Preston

[luxuryrules]

3. Jacked up the front and let it back down and reran the test. No beeps from the control box, compressor runs until it times out, but the car does not rise, no check a/s light until the time out.


Is this still happening at all? I wouldn't think you replaced a good compressor with a bad one, that's why I think your problem may be elsewhere.

Keep us posted.

[Duck]

I am going to check it out in the next couple of days. I am thinking that the compressor only runs when the tester is plugged in. But that is just weird.

[Duck]

OK, the car it no longer sitting on the ground :) I suspected that the compressor would only run with the tester plugged in, so I went out plugged in the tester, turned on the switch, and got out of the car. The compressor kicked on and the rear started to rise. The rear went to normal height and the compressor shut off. No air in the front bags. :(
I realized that I still had the front jacked up, so I am thinking that the sensors are reading the front as too high. I lowered the front, turned on the key and the front aired up!!!!

Problem is, that as the front was airing up, the rear was airing up higher!!:eek:
Man, is it high in the rear. I opened and closed the doors, seeing if the rear would vent, but no luck so far.

[luxuryrules]

Turn off the air ride switch and take it for a spin. Shut the car off, remove key, get out. Then, hit the switch and get back in to fire it up. Effectively, you're rebooting the air ride system. Ideally, it will vent the rear and then trim the front.

I would not very likely think that both the front sensors died at the same time, instead that the single rear may be the one that's dead, if any.

Let us know what the outcome of the 'reboot' is and, once again, run the self test as outlined in the Tech article. If the rear is still not venting, there are a series of pinpoint tests in my Blue Book that I can walk you through.

[Duck]

Dang!!!!!! Rear vented and now is flat. :confused: Back to square 1.
Ran the self test:
1. Turn ignition on

2. Unplug test plug from holder

3. Plug in reader

4. Flip switch to TEST

5. Tests run automatically


* LF solenoid clicked open/close

* RF solenoid clicked open/close

* Rear solenoids clicked open/close

* Compressor vent valve clicked

* Compressor ran for a few seconds then shut off

This is where it stops. Tester beeps, light flashes, and nothing.
It does not do the following tests.


(Then the system does a height sensor test:

Compressor turns on, front valves click, and the front of car rises, valves click then the same thing(s) happens for the rear and the rear rises
Compressor turns off AND; vent valve clicks
Front solenoids click & front lowers
Rear solenoids click & rear lowers
There is a little clicking after that, but nothing noticeable happens (maybe vent valve).

Any Ideas? It is driving me batty

[luxuryrules]

Details: you turned the car on for the first time since turning the switch back on and what happened? Did the compressor run at all? Did the rear solenoids just click and the rear went from way high to all the way down before it triggered a CAS warning? And where is the front end?
I wonder if it is still not liking the compressor? The way that test is supposed to work is that it runs until it finds the faulty component, and stops after testing that component.

What kind of tester are you using? I'll start pulling the pinpoint tests out of my Blue Book for you, as I am unsure of how to proceed.

Also, will the car attempt to run the compressor when you just turn it on? Is it one of those run-till-it-times-out-then-kicks-a-CAS-warning things, or does it not even try to run the compressor?
This may seem like a silly question, but have you verified the height sensors are all still physically intact and attached? Start with the rear on the DS, make sure both ends are connected (one to the chassis, the other to the control arm).
I think a faulty rear sensor may be telling it not to air up or to air up at the incorrect time, but it also would've gotten to that portion of the test if that were the case...

[Duck]

Details: you turned the car on for the first time since turning the switch back on and what happened?
I started the car, compressor ran, front came to ride height, turned off car, closed door, front and rear vented to park height but the back vented all the way down.
Did the compressor run at all? Not now, unless running self test.
Did the rear solenoids just click and the rear went from way high to all the way down before it triggered a CAS warning? Not sure, but now...turn on the key, rear solenoids click and CAS warning. All about that fast.
And where is the front end?
Normal park height
I wonder if it is still not liking the compressor? The way that test is supposed to work is that it runs until it finds the faulty component, and stops after testing that component.

What kind of tester are you using?
Just a EEC IV tester
I'll start pulling the pinpoint tests out of my Blue Book for you, as I am unsure of how to proceed.

Also, will the car attempt to run the compressor when you just turn it on?
No
Is it one of those run-till-it-times-out-then-kicks-a-CAS-warning things, or does it not even try to run the compressor?
This may seem like a silly question, but have you verified the height sensors are all still physically intact and attached?
They look find
Start with the rear on the DS, make sure both ends are connected (one to the chassis, the other to the control arm).
I think a faulty rear sensor may be telling it not to air up or to air up at the incorrect time, but it also would've gotten to that portion of the test if that were the case...

Dan, I really appreciate the help. Sorry if I am giving poor info, but this is truly a learning experience

[Glorywagon]

Duck we need to get togeather with both are Mark VIII then we would still no nothing. this one of mine seems to be to high. And I don't even know what the air ride looks like.

I thank if I have to much trouble Ill convert mine Over to Springs. Danny

[luxuryrules]

No problem, Duck, you're giving great info. And I'm sure I am asking for all kinds of information I don't need. From here, I'm just going to pull the pinpoint tests from the Book and walk you through them. Let me know what the result of each test is so that I can get you through the proper steps.

Try this:
Turn the AS switch off.
Turn the key to Run (but don't start the car).
Remove air compressor relay connector.
Connect a voltmeter to circuit 175 (black wire/yellow stripe) and a good ground.
Do you get B+?

If so, do the same thing with circuit 420 (Dark blue/yellow stripe) and a good ground.
Do you get B+?

If so, leave the relay disconnected and pull the gray control module connector.
Connect voltmeter to circuit 420 again (Dark blue/Yellow stripe) and a good ground.
Do you get zero volts?

If so, reconnect the gray control module connector and use a fused 30 amp jumper for the next step. At the relay connector, jump circuit 417 (Pink/Orange) to 175 (Black/Yellow) and see if the compressor kicks on.
If so, the relay is shot and needs to be replaced.

[Glorywagon]

Well on my mark VIII I have no leaks 24 hour and there still up :) But it seems like they are sitting high like there not bleeding off. I'm gonna take it by Ford and have them run the codes and get an estimate then maybe I'll know where to start.

[luxuryrules]

Danny, try the self test outlined below. At the bottom of the article is a way to do it without a tester (I did it while I was on the Power Tour last year using a paper clip and a set of jumper cables!).

It will work through each part of the test, and when it tests the faulty component, it will not move to the next step. So print out the checklist and, while the test is running, check off each item. Last item to get checked is the first one to troubleshoot.

Post your findings in a new thread to keep confusion to a minimum. Also, that service CD you bought will have the same pinpoint test charts that I am using here, you will find them to be of great value in troubleshooting the problem.

EDIT: suppose the link would help:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00242.html

[Glorywagon]

Ok thanks When I can get my son to check it. I'm not the best of health so he will for me.

[Glorywagon]

I never thought to look but I wonder if the air ride switch in the trunk is turned off. Will look tomorrow. Would that make it set high?

[Glorywagon]

switch was on . Gonna take it to Ford tomorrow and run diagnostics $40.00 and let them tell me what the problem is. In 2 days the car has not lost any air.Just sets High. Will let you know what Ford says.
If I decide to let them fix it they will sub, the $40.00.

The last time I let them do this on my 91 F150 they burnt up the emc .

[Glorywagon]

The Serviceman At Ford said the the car was probley raised without shutting off the air ride and the air ride will just have to be reset. :confused: Will find out tomorrow.

[bojo68]

Duck we need to get togeather with both are Mark VIII then we would still no nothing. this one of mine seems to be to high. And I don't even know what the air ride looks like.

I thank if I have to much trouble Ill convert mine Over to Springs. Danny

I wouldn't do that. You've already got good air bags, that's the most expensive thing there. That only leaves control system, not a big deal, and it's not as complicated as some like to make it out. I think it will be cheaper to fix what you have.
Yes, I'm sure there are die hard spring conversion people, but each have to make their own decision. It might be worth considering if he was looking at 4 shot bags.

[Glorywagon]

Wife just called me from Ford they want $700.00 to fix air ride said the brain:confused: that control the air ride isn't working.
$450.00 for parts plus $250.00 labor.

She bringing home the print out will let you know.I don't enen know what they mean BRAIN.
Said it would not hurt to drive it this way. Just don't ride as good. Danny

[Glorywagon]

Wonder when they say BRAIN bad. (Car or us) Do they thank were stupid and wouldn't under stand.

[Philip]

that would be the air ride computer, the brain....lol

[bojo68]

Brain dead is nothing new, and if your good you ought to be able to come up with one a LOT cheaper than that. See what Jamie wants, I'd bet he's got a bunch of them. I don't think they go often enough to drive the price up ridiculous. In fact, there's a 93 sitting in a local yard, if they interchange and Jamie doesn't have one, I could get you that one.

[Glorywagon]

What does it look like and wheres it located at?

Thanks I sent Jamie an e mail will tel you know. Danny

[Duck]

The Mark is sitting up all on its own. :D I talked with Eddie at American Air Suspension and he gave me some ideas to try and they worked like a champ. Been up for over a week now and has not gone down.:D:D