Dead Air Suspension Compressor

[ledzilla]

It looks as though the compressor for my air suspension has died on me. It made an odd noise for a couple days then quit completely. Now there's no air in the air bags and the back of the car is really low. It makes for a very uncomfortable ride.

Anyway, any advice on the cost of fixing this in the driveway vs a shop? And where is the compressor motor? I'm getting the impression that it's under the washer fluid reservoir.

One more thing. Just so I know how much time I have available, does anyone know how long this can go unrepaired before too much damage occurs requiring more repairs? I don't want to let this go like this for another 10 minutes, but I need to know how long I have to generate repair funds.

[Grifter]

Here is how to get the bags back up to height when you have a dead compressor. I'm just copy-pasting this from a previous post I made, some references to blown bags dont apply to you, but the directions are there for you none the less.


OK, heres what you do to get the car back up to ride height (if its the compressor that died, not the bags that blew.)


This works a little easier w/ 2 people, and an air compressor with a rubber tipped air nozzle (worked well for me, the tube type may as well if thats all you have) a small 5 gallon (@ 80ish psi) tank should have enough air in it. It doesnt take much air to get the bags back up

Pop the trunk, you will need access to the air ride switch. Remove the air box (if you have it, or other intake assembly) to reveal the suspension compressor beneath. locate the air line coming out of the small tank attatched tot he pump. remove the air line. Push the colored ring in and pull the tube out to remove it.
with the air ride switch in the on position,and the air compressor all ready to go, have a buddy hop in the car and turn the key to 'On' but dont start it. in a couple seconds you will hear the compressor kick on/grind/howl (whatever noise it makes if any) and/or you will hear the solenoids 'click' from the rear bags. once you hear either of those, start pumping air from the compressor into the air line you removed. that will start to inflate the rear bags. keep filling until the suspension pump stops, or the rear solenoids click shut, or until you get whatever rear height you want.
once you get to the desired height, go to the trunk and flip the air ride switch off so that the computer doesnt make the solenoids open again and you lose all your air. FYI having the air bag switch off will also make the 'air ride' light come on in the dash.

thats how you can manually add air to the bags and still drive around with a broken compressor. I did that for a week when mine went out..
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[ledzilla]

I will try and give this a shot this week.

[whd507]

it will take you about 20 minutes to swap out.

I replaced the bags and compressor and drier (everybody forgets that the drier is something that needs to be replaced ocassionally) for around $300 on my 95 towncar, and swapped it all out in an hour.

www.americanairsuspension.com (http://www.americanairsuspension.com) (?) I think

[whd507]

looks like about $150 with drier

[BAD MERC]

They're relatively cheap. My friend's '99 Navigator needed one and it was $165 shipped from ebay. Took an hour to swap it and reassemble it. A million thanks to Carfixer for the tech info and leads on availibility.

[Marauderjack]

Check this site out....

http://www.suncoreindustries.com/fordcrownvic.asp

Good Luck!!

Marauderjack:burnout:

[ledzilla]

I did some loking around. The only place I could find a proper compressor for my MM was through Ford for $260. Now, if a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis compressor are useable for this application, I know I could save some cash, but it would seem that there are different part numbers between the CV/GM part and the MM part.

[Marauderjack]

I think they are all the same??:confused:

Have your dealer look up parts numbers for CV, GM and TC and see if the numbers cross!!:beer:

I had a spare but sent it out to a member who tested it and it worked...SOLD!!:D

Marauderjack:burnout:

[fastblackmerc]

Call or PM Ray the Dealer.

[ledzilla]

I did speak to a dealer. The GM and CV have the same part number for the air compressor, but its a different part number for the MM, which also seems to depend on build date as well. There are two different compressors for the MM.

[Drock96Marquis]

The CV/GM/TC compressor should be completely compatible. The air lines are the same size, the connectors are the same, the mounts are the same, etc.

AFAIK the only variation for the Marauder compressor unit was a revised inlet and vent to make it louder.


It is located directly beneath the airbox. It is very easy to change.



Inspect RAS related fuses and relays first!

[jimlam56]

The CV/GM/TC compressor should be completely compatible. The air lines are the same size, the connectors are the same, the mounts are the same, etc.

AFAIK the only variation for the Marauder compressor unit was a revised inlet and vent to make it louder.


It is located directly beneath the airbox. It is very easy to change.



Inspect RAS related fuses and relays first!

Any thoughts on why they would want to make it louder?:confused:

[ledzilla]

Ok. This was interesting. After I had the new struts and tires installed, the shop guys turned my air ride back on, probably because I was stupid enough not to tell them to leave it alone. So the air drained out of the rear. The next day I borrowed my buddy's compressor to refill the bags. At the moment I began to refill the bags with the shop compressor, the MM's compressor actually turned back on (which it hasn't done since the summer/fall). I plugged the hose back in, but it turned off almost at the same time.

So my question is this...

Before I spend the money on replacing the compressor, is replacing it really the best option? If it actually worked again, what may be the real issue here?

[burt ragio]

check electrical feed for loose conections if it checks out ok it is most likly a dead spot in your compressor.

[ledzilla]

I'll have to check it out when it warms up a little, then. Maybe the connector needs a little cleaning. It's just a little too cold outside for me to play with it, at the moment.

[MMM2003]

Here is how to get the bags back up to height when you have a dead compressor. I'm just copy-pasting this from a previous post I made, some references to blown bags dont apply to you, but the directions are there for you none the less.

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THANK YOU to whoever wrote/posted this. Saved my butt tonight. Driving home the air suspension warning light came on. Noticed the car sitting extremly low and the compressor never run.

I followed the instructions (happen to have all the tools available at home) and now I'm ready to go until I get the replacement ordered. Oh Ray.... here I come.

Thanks to all the great members that make this possible.

Peter aka MMM2003

[Bradley G]

The replacement compressor I just installed was painted nice glossy black and runs nice and quiet.
A couple weeks driving a buckboard, makes you really appreciate how nice these tubs ride.:D

[Marauderjack]

^^^ 10-4 on the "Buckboard".....

Mine went out a couple years ago and it will rattle your eye teeth!!:argue:

[ledzilla]

Odd occurrence. Thursday I brought my MM to the local Ford shop for an oil change (I can do it myself, but I'd rather not... dumping oil on the belt once is enough for me). Anyway, unbeknownst to myself, they had turned the air suspension back on. IT WORKS! Somehow I no longer have an air suspension issue. I really don't get it.