1997 Ford Expedition Logo
Posted on Mar 18, 2009
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My rear air suspension doesnt air up

My check suspension light came on then my compressor stopped airing up. it seems like there is a little air in the bags still. just replaced the air bags one year ago. please help

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  • Expert 58 Answers
  • Posted on May 06, 2009
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It sounds to me like you have a hole or cracks in your airbag. The dealership typically diagnoses it as the compressor but that is only to keep you coming back and wasting more money on something that will never truly be fixed. The Compressor is the problem but the airbags are bad as well. When the air bag has a hole or leak in it the compressor has to work extra hard because it is like blowing up a balloon with a hole in it. Therefor the airbag will kill the compressor. It sounds like this is what happened. I would recommend going to strutmasters.com and taking a look at our conversion kits. these convert you from the airbag to a powder coated American made steel coil spring that is guaranteed to last the life of the car. This is a PERMANENT fix and ALOT cheaper than going to the dealership. I added the link below so you can check it out. http://www.strutmasters.com/ford-suspension-parts-s/75.htm I hope I was of some help Good Luck!!!

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  • Expert 108 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2009
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If you had a leak in the system the compressor would run continuously. You should check your fuses first, if your fuses are ok check to see if there is pwr at the compressor. If there is pwr then more than likely the compressor is on a permanent lunch brake. The compressor is located on the passenger side inner fenderwell by the radiator. Disconnect the plug and probe for pwr.

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The automatic level control (ALC) system maintains a desired rear suspension position under all types of towing, hauling and loading conditions. The following components are involved in the operation of the ALC system:
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I have a 99 expedition, air ride suspension went out. Changed the air compressor and still will not air up. Checked the relay and seems to be working. One other time this happened and friend changed a...

Your best bet take it an have it diagnosed ! This is computer controlled an may have DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes stored !
C1724 Air Suspension Height Sensor Power Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test F . C1726 Air Suspension Rear Pneumatic Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test G . C1760 Air Suspension Rear Height Sensor High Signal Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test H . C1770 Air Suspension Vent Solenoid Output Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test I . C1790 Air Suspension LR Air Spring Solenoid Output Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test J . C1795 Air Suspension RR Air Spring Solenoid Output Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test K . C1830 Air Suspension Compressor Relay Circuit Failure Air Suspension Control Module GO to Pinpoint Test L
Symptom Chart Condition Possible Sources Action
  • No communication with the air suspension control module
  • CJB Fuse 4 (15A), 6 (5A) and 20 (5A).
  • Circuitry.
  • Air suspension control module.
  • Air suspension switch.
  • GO to Pinpoint Test A .

You replaced a part that you probably didn't need !
  • The compressor is inoperative
  • BJB Fuse 109 (50A).
  • Air compressor assembly.
  • Circuitry.
  • Air suspension relay.
  • GO to Pinpoint Test Q .

There is a lot to this system an guessing as to what the problem is ,isn't the way to fix it.
Measure the voltage between air compressor relay C1000 Pin A, Circuit 1053 (LB/PK), harness side and ground.
  • Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes GO to Q3 .

No REPAIR the circuit. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
Measure the resistance between air compressor C1000 Pin B, Circuit 538 (GY/RD), harness side and air compressor assembly C194M Pin 4, Circuit 538 (GY/RD), harness side.
  • Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes GO to Q4 .

No REPAIR the circuit. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
Air Suspension Height Sensor
One air suspension height sensor is mounted on the vehicle. The air suspension height sensor sends a voltage signal to the air suspension control module. The output ranges from approximately 4.75 volts at minimum height (when the vehicle is low or in full jounce), to 0.25 volts at maximum height (when the vehicle is high or in full rebound). The air suspension height sensor has a useable range of 80 mm (3.2 in) compared to total suspension travel of 200-250 mm (8 to 10 in) at the wheel. Therefore, the air suspension height sensor is mounted to the suspension at a point where full rear suspension travel at the wheel is relative to 80 mm (3.2 in) of travel at the air suspension height sensor. The air suspension height sensor is attached between the No. 5 frame crossmember (upper socket) and the panhard rod (lower socket). Replace the air suspension height sensor as a unit.
When the air suspension height sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is lower than trim under normal driving conditions, the air compressor will turn on and pump compressed air to the air springs. When the sensor indicates that the rear of the vehicle is raised above trim under normal driving conditions, this will cause the air to be vented from the air springs to lower the vehicle back to its trim height level.
Compressor Relay
The compressor relay is energized by the air suspension control module to allow high current to flow from the battery to the compressor motor.
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I have a 2001 town car with a suspension problem. I just replaced the air bags. A month later the pump started to run too much. I tried soapy water but found no leaks.Yesterday the back end droped and the...

Having it hooked up to a factory scan tool would be your best bet . Check for DTC'S diagnostic trouble codes . Without testing ,code scan ,we'd only be guessing .
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The dashborad says suspension fault

Problems with the air suspension seem to be less frequent with the Sport than in previous Range Rover models, but they still do occur. One owner reports "Whenever my RRS is lowered to "access" level a suspension system fault message apprears.". Another reports " Had the RRS back less than 2 hours and another "suspension fault." Also kept receiving messages that the vehicle is raising slowly and vehicle will raise when system cools. Couldn't even drive because it wouldn't raise out of access mode. Anyway, back to the dealer. Picked the RRS up again today-dealer said the EAS compressor was faulty and replaced it. So far everything is ok." Overall, most of the problems seem to be related to bad suspension height sensors or bad compressors. Angus Wade of the Czech Republic had his suspension light come on when in Germany; it started yellow and then red, then disappeared when he stopped and restarted the engine -- and has not happened since. His dealer said they have seen this a bit.

Weak Compressor: An official Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) LS-204-004 addresses "ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION (EAS) WARNING MESSAGE AND LAMP ILLUMINATION". This deals with the warning message "Suspension Fault - Normal Height Only" message appearing with the Air Suspension Warning Lamp on. Computer diagnosis shows pressure increasing too slowly or unable to pressurize, with no air leaks. The usual problem is the compressor exhaust valve sticking, causing an internal air leak when the compressor is active. The bulletin recommends renewing the air compressor (RQG500090 is the latest specification air compressor with a stronger exhaust valve return spring)and installing and updating the air suspension control module software using WDS disc 13 or later.

Suspension Fault Message (random): One owner reported getting random suspension fault messages on his brand new RR Sport purchased in June 2006, well after the fix was in for the weak compressor. His suspension Fault message and Suspension Warning Light (Amber) came on after 5 days of ownership. He stopped and restarted the car, which caused the light and message to disappear, but they came on again after 5 minutes. Later the same day, the warnings disappeared again.

I have heard that on 2006 models, EAS fault messages can be caused by an internal leak in the Air Suspension compressor exhaust valve. The fix is said to be replacing the compressor updating the software.

Hope helps.
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The dashboard says suspension fault

Problems with the air suspension seem to be less frequent with the Sport than in previous Range Rover models, but they still do occur. One owner reports "Whenever my RRS is lowered to "access" level a suspension system fault message apprears.". Another reports " Had the RRS back less than 2 hours and another "suspension fault." Also kept receiving messages that the vehicle is raising slowly and vehicle will raise when system cools. Couldn't even drive because it wouldn't raise out of access mode. Anyway, back to the dealer. Picked the RRS up again today-dealer said the EAS compressor was faulty and replaced it. So far everything is ok." Overall, most of the problems seem to be related to bad suspension height sensors or bad compressors. Angus Wade of the Czech Republic had his suspension light come on when in Germany; it started yellow and then red, then disappeared when he stopped and restarted the engine -- and has not happened since. His dealer said they have seen this a bit.

Weak Compressor: An official Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) LS-204-004 addresses "ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION (EAS) WARNING MESSAGE AND LAMP ILLUMINATION". This deals with the warning message "Suspension Fault - Normal Height Only" message appearing with the Air Suspension Warning Lamp on. Computer diagnosis shows pressure increasing too slowly or unable to pressurize, with no air leaks. The usual problem is the compressor exhaust valve sticking, causing an internal air leak when the compressor is active. The bulletin recommends renewing the air compressor (RQG500090 is the latest specification air compressor with a stronger exhaust valve return spring)and installing and updating the air suspension control module software using WDS disc 13 or later.

Suspension Fault Message (random): One owner reported getting random suspension fault messages on his brand new RR Sport purchased in June 2006, well after the fix was in for the weak compressor. His suspension Fault message and Suspension Warning Light (Amber) came on after 5 days of ownership. He stopped and restarted the car, which caused the light and message to disappear, but they came on again after 5 minutes. Later the same day, the warnings disappeared again.

I have heard that on 2006 models, EAS fault messages can be caused by an internal leak in the Air Suspension compressor exhaust valve. The fix is said to be replacing the compressor updating the software.

Hope helps.
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More than likely you have an inner leak in one of the strut assem. in rear.
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1997 Lincoln Continental Suspension Conversion Problem

It could be a wheel speed sensor that went out or something... When working with the wiring, something could have just gotten crossed or tapped to get these codes as well. The compressor shouldnt be running anymore if everything was tied off properly. Take it in somewhere and have the codes cleared and that should fix the problem hopefully. I know AutoZone has a reader, but I do not know if they have they ability to clear the codes.
I hope this helps.
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