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96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
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Author:  scottman1027 [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Hey guys, this is a great forum and I know there is a lot of experience on here so maybe someone can shed some light on a problem I am having.

The vehicle is a 96 Lincoln Continental with a 4.6L and electronic ride contol. The customer complaint is, " The right front of the vehile is too low, and I dont hear the compressor for the air suspension run as much as it used too, if at all."

So right away I am thinking, "leaking air bag on the right front and the compressor is burnt up from running too much." Maybe I jumped to conclusion too fast on this one. When I got the car in the RF was all the way down like on the bump stop or whatever, and the other three corners of the car looked ok. There was no "check air suspension" message displayed on the dash, but I checked to make sure the switch in the trunk was on anyway and it was on.

Next I tried to scan for any suspension codes but was not able too communicate with the suspension module. I guess you need a star tester to access it? So next I checked for power at the compressor and there was no power with the vehicle running. I thought that was strange at the time because if there is a corner down should'nt there be power to the compressor so it can pump it up? Well I didnt give that anymore thought and put 12 volts to the compressor to see if it would run. It sounded like it had rocks in it and only run for about three seconds and shut off. The RF air bag also had tons of cracks and splits so I replaced the air bag, the compressor, and the compressor relay.

So after replacing those things the compressor still does not come on. I'm thinking there is something not telling the compressor to come on like the height sensor? I left this car late on Friday and did not get to check into anything else. Anyone have any similar experience with these vehicles? Thanks in advance for any help! Very Happy
Author:  91vx800 [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Just my thoughts as I am not familiar with air ride set up, but you replaced compressor,relay and bag which sounds like it needed it, did you check the wiring(broken loose or burnt/melted)
check ground to the system,and like you said maybe the sensor
Author:  scottman1027 [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
91vx800 wrote:
Just my thoughts as I am not familiar with air ride set up, but you replaced compressor,relay and bag which sounds like it needed it, did you check the wiring(broken loose or burnt/melted)
check ground to the system,and like you said maybe the sensor


Yeah I am hoping it is something easy like that I have overlooked. I know the ground at the compressor and at the relay are ok because I could power the compressor up from both locations. I did not get to dig any futher as I run out of time late on Friday. I think the height sensor will be the next thing to check.

Thanks for the response! Very Happy
Author:  losmaster [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
The only time I've seen one, that just sagged on one side in the front.....one of the guys at work did some ball joints and stuff to it.....and forgot to hook up the height sensing linkage on that one side, lol Smile
Author:  scottman1027 [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
losmaster wrote:
The only time I've seen one, that just sagged on one side in the front.....one of the guys at work did some ball joints and stuff to it.....and forgot to hook up the height sensing linkage on that one side, lol Smile


Thanks losmaster. I did notice originally when I saw the cracks and splits in the air bag that the sensor was attached where it should be. Your right those are easy to forget to hook back up, I have even seen the little arm that they mount on broken off. Very Happy
Author:  losmaster [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Well....you're a brave man for working on them.....when somebody says air suspension problem...I usually run and hide in the bathroom.....just got lucky noticing the loose linkage that time Laughing
Author:  scottman1027 [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Just an update on the air suspension problem I was having on the Continental.......

Checked for reference voltage at the RF height sensor, there was no voltage. Traced the reference wire back to the VDM ( Vehicle Dynamic Module ) in the trunk. Checked for reference voltage at the VDM for the RF height sensor, no voltage there either. Next checked for all neccessary powers and grounds at the VDM, all grounds were present but there was no power coming in.

Power for the VDM comes from a 30 amp max fuse in the power distribution box under the hood. Fuse is good. Started tracing the dark green/yellow wire from the fusebox to the VDM and found the wire broken above the LF inner splash shield. I repaired the wire and success! The air compressor runs and the RF no longer sags!

Gee now I feel like a genuine expert on Lincoln air suspension ( yeah right ). Next time I think I will run and hide in the bathroom. Very Happy
Author:  discretesignals [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
From now on all the Lincolns that come into the shop are going to the master suspension technician Scottman. Laughing Way to go! Cool
Author:  losmaster [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Yep....thats a nice job there.....tracked that down like a pro Smile
Author:  losmaster [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Bump
Author:  tymtrvlr [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
I need a star tester part # 007-0041-A, do you know where I can get one?
Author:  bolomarlin [ Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
This is why so many people have opted to replace their air shock systems with regular aftermarket shocks that last much longer, give a great ride, and cost far less. Most of your local auto supply shops which tend to be dealer only have these. You can also locate them online.
Author:  chankee [ Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
h, but why. Does every lincoln had this problem? And what's the real source of this one?
Hmm, does this problem has similarities with honda parts?and was it the same procedure to fix?
Author:  GreasMunky [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
it looks like a lot of people are having trouble with their air ride suspensions and a lot of mechanics out there are hating wanting to deal with it.. did you look into conversion alternatives at all? A switch to a pssive coil spring system? I had a NIGHTMARE of a problem with my old continental and the air ride suspension. $900 later (and still no TRUE resolution) my friend recommended Strutmasters.com - I got all four wheels converted for less than I spent to fix my air ride and the suspension has a lifetime warranty. http://www.strutmasters.com/lincoln-con ... n-s/38.htm - that is the page where I went.. I hope it helps.
Author:  Grease Monkey [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 96 Lincoln Continental air suspension
Imposter Laughing Laughing
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