Ford Checks Air Ride

[Glorywagon]

Ok Ford run disnostics on my 1995 Mark VIII

Only thing wrong with the air ride was the ( Air Suspension module)

What ever that is?:confused:

[Fordace]

its the processor for the suspension, get one at a junkie.....

[Glorywagon]

its the processor for the suspension, get one at a junkie.....

Ok I now know what it looks like now. Seen one on e bay for 1993 Lincoln Cont. don't know if there the same tho.

Looks like it under the dash somewhere.When my new manual get here I'll figure it all out Thank everyone Danny
PS at least I know the problem now.

[bojo68]

Ok I now know what it looks like now. Seen one on e bay for 1993 Lincoln Cont. don't know if there the same tho.

Looks like it under the dash somewhere.When my new manual get here I'll figure it all out Thank everyone Danny
PS at least I know the problem now.

Yeah, it's right there next to those 237 other modules....
I've always said ford was trying to build a supercollider when they wired these things. It's ONE BIG circle, behind dash, out fenders, behind grille.

[Glorywagon]

Do you know if a 1997 will work on a 1995 ? theres one on e-bay

Also will I need a chainsaw to get to it.:eek:

[bojo68]

Do you know if a 1997 will work on a 1995 ? theres one on e-bay

Also will I need a chainsaw to get to it.:eek:

Your local wrecking yard should have an interchange list.
Far as the chainsaw, haven't ever actually taken a dash harness out, but have worked around the ends. I suspect it's over by the glovebox with a million other little boxes. take the kick panel and glovebox out and it's not really anything that tough. Beats the expletive deleted out of slithering around under the car. Actually I'd think that should be a nice easy cheap fix and should have you smilin big in short order.

[NYC LS8]

It's easy to get to. Just drop the glove box and it's to your right with two wiring harnesses plugged into it. I had to change the one in my old 95. I could yank the one out of it now since I converted it to coils if you need it.

[Glorywagon]

It's easy to get to. Just drop the glove box and it's to your right with two wiring harnesses plugged into it. I had to change the one in my old 95. I could yank the one out of it now since I converted it to coils if you need it.

found one thanks

[Glorywagon]

You would do that . I would be glad to send you a check for it. Just let me know.

glorywagon@windstream.net


I found one from Jamie thanks Danny

[NYC LS8]

No problem. Glad you found one.

[Glorywagon]

Well changed the Air Suspension module that we got from Jamie today.The front end seemed to come down but the rear end is still high.
The car for some reason seems to steer better.The check air ride light when we started car it come on pushed reset and stayed out (For now).

Also the old Air Suspension module someone had it apart before and resealed it.:confused:

[bojo68]

Well changed the Air Suspension module that we got from Jamie today.The front end seemed to come down but the rear end is still high.
The car for some reason seems to steer better.The check air ride light when we started car it come on pushed reset and stayed out (For now).

Also the old Air Suspension module someone had it apart before and resealed it.:confused:

Your front end geometry is set to be correct at spec'd ride height, change that and everything is fubar. Your just approaching getting it to where it should be. You should be able to run the test now to see what the rear problem is.

[Glorywagon]

Your front end geometry is set to be correct at spec'd ride height, change that and everything is fubar. Your just approaching getting it to where it should be. You should be able to run the test now to see what the rear problem is.

Sorry I didn't under stand what you meant. bojo: Originally Posted by bojo68 View Post
(Your front end geometry is set to be correct at spec'd ride height, change that and everything is fubar)

[bojo68]

Well, whenever it was aligned last, it was set at the ride height with the air ride system working. When it doesn't work, all of your alignment specs change with ride height, so if it's not at thew right ride height, front and back, it's not going to handle as well as when it is where it's supposed to be. As of now, it's quite likely your front end is where it's supposed to be, and when your back end gets to the right place it should handle better yet, and the headlights should work better too as they're pretty much the same way.
So, now you need to go back and try the test you tried before you took it to ford. The one it wouldn't finish at the time because of brain death. It will probably work now, and we can get the back right from there.

[Glorywagon]

Ok thanks

[Glorywagon]

Yesterday I replaced the Air Suspension module. Today the cars front end won't come up Setting on the ground almost.
The rear end is still up real high.
started the car and the front didn't come up. The car stayed up for 2 or 3 days till I changed the Air Suspension module.

[bojo68]

Check to see if the off switch in the trunk didn't get turned off somehow. It SHOULD pump up within about 30 sec shortly after ign is turned on. Sometimes you may have to cycle the ign switch a couple of times because the air pump times out after ~20-30 seconds. It may need to cycle twice to get it right.
If that doesn't do it, the same test needs done.

[Glorywagon]

Check to see if the off switch in the trunk didn't get turned off somehow. It SHOULD pump up within about 30 sec shortly after ign is turned on. Sometimes you may have to cycle the ign switch a couple of times because the air pump times out after ~20-30 seconds. It may need to cycle twice to get it right.
If that doesn't do it, the same test needs done.

Ok thanks But I thank I'm gonna convert it over to springs. I can buy it for $375.00 complete ready to bolt on. I'll play with it but not spending any more on the AIR RIDE. Done spent $90.00 on it and its worst now then it was.I can't even drive it now.

[luxuryrules]

Before you do, hear me out:

There are two Mark VIIIs in my fleet. My 95 is almost bone stock, factory air ride and everything. The 96... last year the air ride started throwing all kinds of trouble at me. As best I can tell, the rear bags died. So I replaced the bags, only to discover the compressor was shot. Instead of replacing the compressor, I opted to convert it. Basically, big mistake. I used the lowered kit from AAS, which was part of the problem. Didn't ride the same, and handled better but only at the cornering limits. I then built my own suspension using performance (stock height) Tbird springs & Tokico dampers all around. I got my ride quality back, cornering limits slightly lower, but handled nicer than the car ever has before. However, the rear end sags when I have stuff in the trunk, and I am now driving a fancy Thunderbird.

I have had three suspensions on my car, and to this day, I wish I had just replaced the f$%&ing compressor instead of converting the car.

You're already $90 into it, so you at least should troubleshoot to see how much you would be saving or not saving by using coils. Yes, it takes patience and a little know how, but this is not rocket science I promise you. How would you feel if you spent $375 on coils only to discover it was a $15 solenoid? Or that you hated the outcome?

Follow the link:
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00242.html
At the bottom of the article are instructions to conduct the test without a scanner. I did it with a paperclip and jumper cables, once upon a time.
Post the results in a new thread, and give lots of detail when you do. We can help, just be patient.

[mikemark8]

not to be contrary, but i can understand the frustration with air ride problems-i have owned 2 marks now, and i spent a lot of time and money on air ride problems, knowing that as long as they had air rides, I will spend more in the future. they are great when they work, but when the problems go past the simple and inevitable bag leaks, you have to spend time and money and chase down relays, harnesses, connectors, sensors, brains, lines, o-rings, motors...and when it has mechanical springs, the faults (ride quality, load capacity) pale in comparison to having a dependable car to just get into in the morning and just drive. my mark is not a daily driver, so i can afford to let it sit while i wait to get time or money or needed plans to repair it-if I used this as a daily driver, and I had problems that required time and money to correct it being slammed (to the point it is dangerous to drive), I think I'd be more than receptive to the idea of solving this borderline design flaw once and for all.

case in point-I have a front air bag that leaks, and when it sits overnight, it is sometimes slammed in front-so, I have a wooden block that i place under the driver side (leaking bag) that is 5 inches tall-the car sets down on it, of when I go to drive it (possibly days later) I wait for the compressor to raise it the inch needed to remove the block-this reduces the strain on the compressor of having to run until 'timed out', and it does not allow the bags to fully deflate, which aggravates the problem of cracks in the bag at the fold. It is kind of a PITA, but I have been doing this for about a year now, and when I use the car (again, not a daily driver), it does not give me any problems. when it goes past just replacing leaking bags, I will probably bite the bullet and just replace the system with springs.I can appreciate the purists on here that love the uniqueness of the air ride, but it is contrary to being practical over the long haul. Just my opinion.

[bojo68]

Ok thanks But I thank I'm gonna convert it over to springs. I can buy it for $375.00 complete ready to bolt on. I'll play with it but not spending any more on the AIR RIDE. Done spent $90.00 on it and its worst now then it was.I can't even drive it now.

If that's what you want to do, fine. just kindly send your air bags over here please!:)

[Glorywagon]

If that's what you want to do, fine. just kindly send your air bags over here please!:)

Well found out that my the guy that repairs my F150. Knows all bbout them mark VIII so now its at his shop. Will let you know.

[Philip]

Understanding the air ride system or being on the good side of a mechanic is not a bad thing here, but the system itself is fairly simple and straightforward. When something breaks or wears out, using new OEM air ride components generally gets you years of trouble free driving. My thing is that you've got to do what is right for you, but keep in mind that what we all fell in love with was partly the air-sprung suspension, that is going to keep or restore the original handling and ride characteristics of the car.

Hopefully your mechanic can figure out what's amiss, and hopefully it will be a minor part and you will be painlessly cruising your Mark VIII soon.

[Glorywagon]

O k here what Dave found at the shop. The susp. module tha Jamie sent me was bad. Thats why the car would not air up. He installed the old susp. module and the car aired up.
The compressor is working but is not venting.
So the compressor need replacing he said.

[luxuryrules]

Whatcha gonna do?

I'd replace the compressor :) Easier than a conversion.

[Glorywagon]

I have the car home not fixed yet. Here is what we know now .
All sensors are good and getting fire. The Susp module that I installed was bad thats why it dropped to the ground. Installed the old Susp. module and it aired right up.So that put me back to ground zero.
We are getting fire to the sensor that works the vent. But the vent is not working. Cost today $90.00 so total $180.00 still not bad I can at least drive the car again.
Now1- I just need to install new compressor or 2- Convert it over. Leaning to new Compressor 3-Maybe just drive this way.

[Glorywagon]

I was looking at the manual and it said I need to remove the front bumper cover to replace the compressor ? Is that right? Shop says it takes 3 hour to change it.

[bojo68]

No, you can change the compressor without removing the bumper. Actually the bumper is a lot easier to remove than usual.
I know I could replace the compressor in less than 3 hours without taking the bumper off, not sure I wouldn't take it off though.

Wait a minute, strike that, yeah the bumper has to come off, and it takes 14 hours, I need those air bags...:)

[luxuryrules]

Danny, I have faith you can do the compressor on your own. It's not bad, and the bumper does not need to come off.

Go at it through the wheel well. Start by removing the air silencer, because that will give you lots of space to work.
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00024.html
While you're in there, replace the fuel filter too.
http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00047.html

Bojo, did you yank the bumper on yours? I found it to be not bad, but a two person job. Then again, I really don't have the patience for that kind of thing.

[Glorywagon]

Wait a minute, strike that, yeah the bumper has to come off, and it takes 14 hours, I need those air bags;)

Not today because I can drive the car . Yesterday I was ready to JUNK it. Besides I'm gonna have my son in law do the job which ever way I go.;)

[Glorywagon]

Decision made I ordered conversion kit from Eddie at American air susp.
Reason I drive a lot on gravel roads a lot.and the conversion kit has life time warrenty. And my son in law will fix it for me;)

Thank You all. Danny

[bojo68]

Luxury, never had any trouble with mine, and I left the bumper on on the one I did. Took bumper off a car I was getting parts off of, might be easier that way.

[bojo68]

Wait a minute, strike that, yeah the bumper has to come off, and it takes 14 hours, I need those air bags;)

Not today because I can drive the car . Yesterday I was ready to JUNK it. Besides I'm gonna have my son in law do the job which ever way I go.;)

OK, lemme know when he's done, I'll give ya an address to send them to...:)