95 Continental Air Suspension question - compressor

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Larry1117Conti

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Hello. While a new Gold Member to LVC, I have been reading the forums for a while since finding the site. The replies are what make this a superb site for all. Thanks.

Recently I awoke one morning to the car sitting lower than a custom chopped Ford! Turning the ignition and cranking the car did not start the compressor as I expected. For the last month or so, the right front has settled low after the car sits but when the car is started the compressor levels it all out. I have noticed that at stop lights, the compressor runs for 10 seconds or so and levels the car. From the posts here, I found this is likely a leaky air spring. Checking the air springs rubber boot, it does feel rough, so I know I need to replace them.

My question is about the compressor. How do I test the compressor to see if I should also replace it at the same time? At this point it will not engage at all. I have tried suggestions I read here: (1) Checked/replace the fuse, (2) Turned off the air ride in the trunk for a day and (3) Disconnected the battery to reset the electronics. Nothing seems to trigger the compressor to engage. Does this simply mean, sorry Trekkies, that "It's Dead, Jim"? Am I missing another way to test the compressor? Such as hooking it up to a meter or by passing some switch?

Also, I know the conversion kits are less expensive, but I do like my air ride system! It would be simple to replace all the air components, but unless I have to spend the extra $170 or so for a compressor, I would rather not.

Thanks for reply in advance. Larry.
 
Odds are the compressor is shot and you will need a new one, I canot think of any other way to test it except for the ones you have mentioned. How long have you been driving with the bad bag? If you have been driving it for a long while with the leak. The compressor is most likely shot. If you don't want to replace the air components you can get a conversion kit, from american air suspension or strutmasters. The kit consists of you're everyday coil springs. Nomore air suspension woes.
 
Thanks Conti94. I suspected as much. I will add it to the list.
As for this issue, I just started noticing the compressor running more than usual about a month or so. Of course the car is 11 years old and this is the first issue to speak of in the 6 years I have had her. While not loaded with money, and I know there could be other air ride issues, but I do like the air ride. If the replacement air ride lasts 5 years or so, I would be happy with that. Thanks for the reply.
 
if the money is the biggest problem with replacing all 4 corners and the compressor, start with the ones that are the problem (appearently the front in your case) and the compressor. then as soon as the $ allows, do the other end.
 
Air Ride Issues Resolved! No more bounce!

My issues with the Air Ride Suspension have been resolved. I replaced the two front air struts, solenoids, air compressor and relay. The instructions downloaded from the Arnott website were of GREAT help. However, there were a few unknowns thrown into the mix not covered by the documents. I took a few pictures and will submit an adjusted 'how to' document to the LVC site and Arnott site for future reference.
I have to say that without finding this site, I would have easily spent another $1,200 at some dealership to get my Continental back to the smooth ride I had came to expect.
I am glad I became a Gold Member for $30.00 and will encourage others to participate as well. What a small price to pay to help such a site.
Thanks to those that offered support and ideas as well as the operators of this site for providing a place for like minded people to share their experiences.
Thanks. Larry
 
Air Struts
I had one side go out in my 96 cont. I replaced both fronts with active coil overs from stutmaster. These struts by pass the load leveling in front, but let you adjust the ride frimness. Thats what strutmaster says. I took me 2 years lots of agrivation to get them to work. If the ride is not exactly the same with the coil overs as the air struts, the computer will throw codes and the car rides very stiff, Every tar line shakes the car and passengers! Lincoln dealers will not look at it, speed shops screw arround for weeks at a time, and give the car back basically telling me the car is F...ed up. Strut master says go look at the trouble codes and fix the problem.
Problem codes were left front time out up, right front time out down. This means the ride height sensors need to be recalibrated. This procedure requires a Star Testor ll. This is an expensive dealer code reader. I located one, and the recalibrate procedure requires the suspension to go into the test mode. This will cause the suspension to raise up and lower to test output of the sensors, pump, lines solinoids. Once this is performed, this star tester will allow the suspension height to be adjusted, saved, and thus calibrated.
With the coil over struts, the up down setup test will not cycle and the calibration is over, no adjusting or calibration will be set. In other words Strutmaster said they cannot help me any more. The car rides like a rock, and the computer keeps throwing a code.
I was able to fix the problem my self. Don't ask me why the engineers at strutmasters could'nt figure it out. I placed the car on a level surface, used a volt meter to monitor the voltage out put of the front ride height sensors, reaching in with a 11mm box wrench, I adjusted the sensors to the correct voltage. Turned the car off, reset the computer, start the car, problem solved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now the car rides great, I can adjust the ride stiffness, no error codes and the rear leveling works. The bad part is, had I checked the voltage in the first place, I would not have had to replace the air strut with the coil over in the first place, a very expensive mistake.
Some times you just have to tell the EXPERTS, to go jump in the lake, and think for your self. If you have any questions and you think I can help, contact me by e mail.
Christo.
chris.stoffels@comcast.net
 
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