Air ride help!

[rjn173]

OK, yesterday I am driving and my air suspension light comes on. I get out and notice the back end is very low. I first look in the trunk and the air switch is on.. This morning I start the car and to my surprise the back end raises into its normal position and is staying there (for now). So, what could be the problem here? Everything must be fine except the compressor? Is the compressor on its way out? If so, is this an aftermarket product or dealer only?

[fastblackmerc]

OK, yesterday I am driving and my air suspension light comes on. I get out and notice the back end is very low. I first look in the trunk and the air switch is on.. This morning I start the car and to my surprise the back end raises into its normal position and is staying there (for now). So, what could be the problem here? Everything must be fine except the compressor? Is the compressor on its way out? If so, is this an aftermarket product or dealer only?

Leak in the lines or bag(s).

Mine leaks down over 3 or 4 days.

I'd check your pump also.

Clean out the well it's in and add more drainage holes.

[Baconbit]

Where exactly is the well it sits in? Need to check mine out and see what its like.

[rjn173]

I thought about the air lines and air bags but if there was a problem with them I would think that the car never would have lifted itself again. Is the pump/compressor for the air ride located under the hood on the driver's side near the firewall? Dealer only item?

[cougar9150]

I thought about the air lines and air bags but if there was a problem with them I would think that the car never would have lifted itself again. Is the pump/compressor for the air ride located under the hood on the driver's side near the firewall? Dealer only item?

It may just be a slow leak such as a crack airline, bad o-rings on the solenoid, leaks dryer, or a small crack/tear in a bag.

Do the bags deflate after the car has been sitting for a bit?

Does one side drop sooner than the other?

The compressor is under the air filter housing on the drivers side. Suncore, Arnott, and American air suspension are all good but cheaper alternatives than going to the dealer for air suspension parts. There are a few other places as well including Amazon and eBay that these companies sell their components at. Bags from any 03 and up Panther will fit.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what they all said^^

The system works by sensing ride height with a mechanical switch linked to the rear suspension. When you add weight it tells the system to add more air to the bags and when you remove weight it tells the system to release air. That's the sort of ghostly sighing you sometimes hear from the front of the car after you've exited. If that switch is intermittent, or the connector contacts corroded, it may have allowed the system to to completely deflate instead of stopping at the desired height.

If it does turn out to be the compressor (fairly common), the Arnott unit is excellent and reasonably priced. I have no experience with the others.

[rjn173]

When I started the car, the rear went up evenly and has been staying that way.. it doesn't seem to drop to one side or another. The car sat for more than 24 hours and still looks good. Today I will be driving it so let's see what happens.. Thanks for the advice.

[rjn173]

When you say mechanical switch, do you mean the one in the trunk that turns the air ride on and off? If not, where is the switch and contacts that may be corroded?

[RF Overlord]

a mechanical switch linked to the rear suspension. It's directly above the rear axle on the driver's side.

[rjn173]

Yep, I guess we are talking about the same switch.

[RF Overlord]

No, we're not. Lemme try this: it's ATTACHED to the rear axle on the driver's side. Under the car.

[GetMeMyStogie]

Leak in the lines or bag(s).


The lines only have pressure in them when the air pump is inflating the bags (and for a short while after the pump stops). The bags have solenoids on them which keep the pressure in the bags. If the lines had a leak, the air springs probably would never raise, or you would hear a pretty loud hissing sound while the the air pump was running.


If the rear end drops while driving and the air susp. light comes on, it's probably because the air bag(s) have a crack in the fold that leaks more when the spring is extended. Sitting still, the crack(s) are covered by the lower spring mounting cup. But driving around, the spring extends and compresses, and when extended, the air leaks out.

With leaks in the bags, you can't shut off the air susp. switch, because the rear end will sag more and more while driving along. You can, however, reset the air. susp. computer and get the light to turn off for a little while by turning the key as if to engage the starter - not all the way forward, but just enough until the radio shuts off. I use this trick to sometimes reset the CD changer while driving, but it should work for the air susp. computer too.

[tbone]

The pump is going. Finally you will come out and have to drive it with no rear suspension. Not fun. Check the height sensor too and probably replace as well.

[director101]

Does anyone have experience in installing the Arnott replacement parts? They advertise a complete kit for what seems like a VERY reasonable price, and I'm tempted to buy it.

[fastblackmerc]

Many have used the Arnott pieces with good success.

[Chevyguy]

The Air springs will interchange from 91-2011

Lots of different part#s' with different spring rates. The Marauder air springs are the stiffest ever made by Ford. The Aftermarket ones are pretty stiff, not as good quality as the originals which usually last over 100K miles/10 years.

One can often track down some OEM air springs on Ebay for a good price... It's that compressor that is so darn expensive. IIRC the 98 -2011 interchange

A great Air ride diagnosis writeup here fuse# wire colors probably different but the same basic system used in the Crown Vic, Marauder and Town car.

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00061.html

[Motorhead350]

Junkyard pump for $30. DONE!

Don't waste your time looking at Crown Vics, they don't have it. Grand Marquis and Town Cars are fine. Even the previous generation Town Car. I got my pump off a 1996 and it still works fine.

[fesifisky]

Junkyard pump for $30. DONE!

Don't waste your time looking at Crown Vics, they don't have it. Grand Marquis and Town Cars are fine. Even the previous generation Town Car. I got my pump off a 1996 and it still works fine.

I agreed if in a pinch, grabbed one off a Lincoln when the compressor went on my first MM. The mounts were slightly different so I just hooked it up to raise the rear and shut the switch off.