Got in and the Air Ride dropped!?!?!?

B

BodyByAAS

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
310
Reaction score
0
Location
Miami
I got in my mark today, which was sitting at normal height, when I got in tho.. I heard it sound like someone released a blowoff valve gently and PSSTTTTTTTTTTTT as the car lowered equally on both sides on the back til the tires were nicely tucked... i took pics but will upload in the AM if no one can figure this out.

Im wondering if its an issue with the computer or something since my time/date also keeps resetting whenever the car goes off. I know its not the battery cause it starts right up the first time everytime.

WTF is this problem!?!?
 
One of your rear bags has a leak. The computer vents both, to keep the vehicle even. You can replace one or both.
 
Psychostang said:
One of your rear bags has a leak. The computer vents both, to keep the vehicle even. You can replace one or both.
Click to expand...

I thought this, but the previous owner just replaced the bags and the car doesnt seem to drop overnight at all.. this just randomly did it for the first time when I sat inside it
 
Did he use new or used bags? Thats the thing with rear bag leaks, they can happen at any time. Doesn't matter how long it stays up. It may stay up for 3 days, then squat 5 times a day. The next thing to do is stand by the rear wheels, and listen for the his as the bags pump up. The one that hisses has a leak. I don't know about your time date thing. That ciruit may not be powered when the vehicle is off. You need a wiring diagram to see where power comes from.
 
i had a bad solenoid do this to me on the right front last year. i opened the hood and leaned on the passenger side a little to work on a vacuum line and as soon as i put a little pressure on the fender the right front went down in about 40 seconds, not sure what triggered it as the car was off for over 8 hours and holding air,but after it happened a few more times i took the strut off to inspect it and then when i put it back together i swapped the solenoid with a spare i had and hoped for the best,it hasnt leaked since.

mayeb the same deal with yours....?
 
Could be a solenoid.
Americain air

You need to read this whole page put together by the best in the biz.
http://www.americanairsuspension.com/MARK%20VIII%20AREA.htm

These cars are a blast to own.....but when they screw up it can be a royal PITA.

Also search this site for air ride issue's if it has happened to you odds are it has happened to someone else and the info you need will be on this site.
 
Moes8 said:
i had a bad solenoid do this to me on the right front last year. i opened the hood and leaned on the passenger side a little to work on a vacuum line and as soon as i put a little pressure on the fender the right front went down in about 40 seconds, not sure what triggered it as the car was off for over 8 hours and holding air,but after it happened a few more times i took the strut off to inspect it and then when i put it back together i swapped the solenoid with a spare i had and hoped for the best,it hasnt leaked since.

mayeb the same deal with yours....?
Click to expand...

Ya sounds like it - I sat in the car and then PSSTTTTTTT - I was like, wtf...next thing I knew it looked like an old Crown Victoria in a trailer park LOLOL

Im hoping it doesnt happen again - my computer says Air-ride is OK... but not sure how much I can trust that thing
 
the real question is how far down, they do go to "park/hwy height" that is about a inch lower

the air suspension system in these cars is very east just dont over think it
 
chicken said:
the real question is how far down, they do go to "park/hwy height" that is about a inch lower

the air suspension system in these cars is very east just dont over think it
Click to expand...

Id say over 2-3 inches... i mean, it wasnt a hiss... well it was, but if it was hissing like this the suspension would have to have a hole big enough for me to FCK.


some photos for your viewing pleasure

IMG_0599.jpg

IMG_0598.jpg
 
yeah its down a lil, got alot of weight in your trunk, speaker box, dead hooker etc?
did the front drop or just the rear.
 
chicken said:
yeah its down a lil, got alot of weight in your trunk, speaker box, dead hooker etc?
did the front drop or just the rear.
Click to expand...

Trunk was empty - no dead hooker LOLOL... just the rear dropped (i think...?)

If the front did lower, it wasnt noticeable.. but the back went from being normal all night, I put the key in and PSSSTTTTTTTTTTT
 
ok well the front will drop faster due to the eng weight, id say you got some bad rear bags. if the rear solenoids were sticking open the car still wouldnt drop cuz the vent solenoid at the comp isnt open. its just odd that it happened with the key. get the ole girl up on ramps and spray down the bags with soapy water to check for the leak
 
Ok in the event my bags are leaking - how bad is it to go about my biz driving on them.. will they blow out, or eventually will they jsut stop holding air?


P.S. I laffed hard at this on the site .. 1C) If allot of weight is added to the vehicle, the headlights may be shining in the trees.
 
BodyByAAS said:
Ok in the event my bags are leaking - how bad is it to go about my biz driving on them.. will they blow out, or eventually will they jsut stop holding air?


P.S. I laffed hard at this on the site .. 1C) If allot of weight is added to the vehicle, the headlights may be shining in the trees.
Click to expand...

You don't want to put off air ride problems.
If they leak your compressor is working overtime to keep them pumped up.
You will be buying a pump and rear bags.
 
ford nut said:
You don't want to put off air ride problems.
If they leak your compressor is working overtime to keep them pumped up.
You will be buying a pump and rear bags.
Click to expand...

Ok so I walked over to the car just now.. sitting for like 12 hours...

IMG_0602.jpg




Then I sat in it... heard a "Click" and then "PSSSTTTT"



IMG_0603.jpg



Now my car is slammed again... (well this pic was taken in the process of slamming LOL) There was NO hissing when I went over to it.. it appeared a little low in the back, but nothing crazy (as seen in pic one)

Could it be just a solenoid, or something telling it to release?
 
You have a bad spring or bad level sensor. The only way to see if maybe the springs are leaking is to turn off the air ride then let it sit. With the switch on the system will occasionally make small adjustments of the height. I know mine does. So it may be a small leak and the system corrects a few times per night. Then you open the door and hop in and that rolls the spring just enough to hit the bad spot and air down. Since the car sat for a bit AND the door is now open the system wont air up untill the car is started. And then the sensor might be beyond range untill you get out OR it may be in a spot on the spring where when its down it leaks faster then the comp can fill.
Id get her up and check the springs. Any little fine hair crack is all it takes.
 
LaserSVT said:
You have a bad spring or bad level sensor. The only way to see if maybe the springs are leaking is to turn off the air ride then let it sit. With the switch on the system will occasionally make small adjustments of the height. I know mine does. So it may be a small leak and the system corrects a few times per night. Then you open the door and hop in and that rolls the spring just enough to hit the bad spot and air down. Since the car sat for a bit AND the door is now open the system wont air up untill the car is started. And then the sensor might be beyond range untill you get out OR it may be in a spot on the spring where when its down it leaks faster then the comp can fill.
Id get her up and check the springs. Any little fine hair crack is all it takes.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bro! Im not an expert, but im leaning towards the level sensor since I hear the "click" before I hear the hiss... does that make sense?
 
Ah, mised the click part. Yeah its commanding the drop. Bad sensor would be the first part I would swap.
 
LaserSVT said:
Ah, mised the click part. Yeah its commanding the drop. Bad sensor would be the first part I would swap.
Click to expand...

I guess thats promissing - the previous owner said the bags were new, and although the car sat for a while I dont think there should be a problem with them. I'd rather pay whatever it is for a sensor then swap out the bags, or do a conversion!!


Ohhh Jammmmiieeeeeeeeee........ :D
 
BodyByAAS said:
Thanks Bro! Im not an expert, but im leaning towards the level sensor since I hear the "click" before I hear the hiss... does that make sense?
Click to expand...

Check for a leaking bag first.
Like laser said....turn off the air ride... watch it for a couple days or get under it with some soapy water like chicken told you to do.
 
ford nut said:
Check for a leaking bag first.
Like laser said....turn off the air ride... watch it for a couple days or get under it with some soapy water like chicken told you to do.
Click to expand...

See that involves me getting UNDER it... =/ I dont have access to a lift, and being a non espanol speaking white guy in Miami leaves me (and my butthole) open to being raped at any mechanic I walk into
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 99 (members: 0, guests: 99)
Back
Top