air ride problems with 93/94 continental

[windsor_linc93]

I have a 84 Lincoln Continental that I bought last year. The dealer said he put in a new air ride system. Recently, the front system doesn't seem to release air when the car is turned off, so the car is always raised from the front; on the otherhand, the rear system seems to release all the way so that you cannot see the top of the tires. It is taking longer for the car to finish cycling and then about three minutes of driving later, the RIDE CONTROL light comes on and the rear is again fully
deflated. It sounds like a hissing noise is coming from the driver's side back when the car is turned off. Am I going to have to replace a whole bag, a motor, or what? I don't have $1000's to invest in the car, but I want it to last another two years. Would conversion be a better solution? It's a very bumpy ride when the RIDE CONTROL light comes on, and I am afraid I will ruin what is left of the car, and I am tired of stopping the car to reset the switch in the trunk.!
Any suggestions? I live in Windsor, Ontario, and am not sure of where to go or who to talk to.

 

[MichiganTeddyBear]

ok, this is an 88-94 I take it, reason I ask, your post is titled 94, your text says 84..

but, it sounds like you have a bad air leak on the back. if your hearing hissing from a corner of the car, its likely you have either a bad air strut, or a leaking solenoid or air line fitting on the solenoid.

On the 88-94's the back of the car is service by the computer before the front is. so if the back is too low and wont raise, the front wont get touched.

If the dealer replaced everything in the a/s system (which includes compressor, 4 struts, sensors, computer, air lines, solenoids (4), airdryer (on compressor) and maybe something I forgot). you should NOT be having that problem. These systems are durable and dependable if they are maintained right.

Dont drive the car with it like that, as you know, the ride sucks, and you can damage other parts of the car too. Also, thats really overworking the compressor and will fry it in short time. The warning light is on because the computer sensed the car didn't raise up in the time alloted and timed out, then shut the compressor off.

conversion may be a cheaper option, but until you know whats wrong, we cant go jumping to conclusions on the cost of repair.

 

[windsor_linc93]

oops...I thought I fixed that error. The car is a '94, but was one of the first off the line, so most of the parts are '93's, or so I was told by a mechanic. Thanks for the thorough response. I'll have to check with the dealer to see what exactly was done. He gave me some papers when the car was bought. I'll dig them up too and see if we can figure something out, and I'll get back to the forum. It's nice to have somewhere to go to like this....I did have work done recently on some leaky gaskets/muffler by someone who drives a 94 Caddy......I'll have to check with him too to see if he turned off the switch in the trunk before hoisting the car.

 

[MichiganTeddyBear]

Almost all of the air suspension parts from 88-94 are the same. all they basically did inbetween them model years was cosmetic stuff, except for 90-91, they went from a speed density based EEC to a MAF based EEC, and added the electronic transaxle around the same time (my 91 has the electronic, but I have heard of 91's with the non-electronic). the transaxle is controlled by the EEC, so it makes sense that the 2 would change at the same time. Also, a minor instrument cluster change too (went from 2 computers to 1). in 93 I think it was they changed the radio and amps, same basica appearance, but the voltage levels for the amp turn on changed, as well as possibly the level of the head unit output (this was cross the board with all lincolns, not just conti's). Also, some of the SRS airbag (driver and passenger) stuff changed from year to year, but that would be expected anyway.

Other than that, I dont know of anything other than cosmetic changes.

if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I resurected my 91 after being parked for 2 1/2 years due to an air suspension problem. I know that system pretty doggon well.

I have also personally done other maintainance that might be considered a little more than minor, but probably not major to it, and can help there too. I do have the complete ford service manual for the 92's (which I find is very close to my 91, almost without any changes), and should be pretty good for your 94 also.


Also, being from Windsor, your not tooooo far from me (I currently live in Traverse City MI, and grew up just outside Detroit). there are other people around the detroit are with 88-94 conti's too, and some show up here also.