Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

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Danorat83

Registered
I've been looking in this forum for about an hour now, and I haven't seen anyone with a similar problem. I have a 98 LSC with just under 90k miles. Recently I have expirienced a whole host of problem with it, one being with the air suspension. ONE side (drivers) is lower than the other by about 2 inches in the front and three in the rear. From what I've read about how the system is set up, this should not be possible.... But it's happening... Any suggestions guys....

By the way, Im new here and I think this place is great... This is my fourth lincoln vehicle to own and its nice to know there are other people out there who love their cars as much as a love mine!!!
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

Check to see if the sensor is still in place at the wheel and has not disconnected itself from the strut or the frame. If ok, see if the bag has any air in in it. Does that side rise at all? If not, massive air leak. If so, you way be able to hear the air leak.
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

Are you the same guy with the RR tie?

I concur that you have a broken sensor mount/tab thingy. It is a potentiometer that measures ride height (which is used to determine ride height adjustments). Lucky for you the parts are availible and its not a very big deal.

It sounds like the car recieved some relatively heavy damage at the hands of your friend. You or someone with lots of auto experience need to give you car a THOUROUGH inspection to see what else is damaged. The total bill for this incident may possibly run into the thousands (especially with the trans problems you described elsewhere).

If your in the El Paso/Las Cruces area bring it to me and I can put it on a lift with you to do an inspection and get this fcar fixed up.

Good Luck!
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

A faulty sensor should set off an error immediately, whereas a leak wouldn't. With a leak, it should error after trying to compensate for the low corner, but only if it is low enough to cause an error.

I'd look at replacing the front struts.

Kale
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

Yes, I am the same guy with the RR tie, but I was having suspension problems before that happened...

I have no "check air ride" error msg... Is it possible that a sensor is just not working correctly? Also, where do I look to see if the sensor is still in place? The system is not pressuring up at all on one side, in fact today, I went and sat on all four sides of the car, and the only side that came up with my added wieght was the rear passenger. The other three sides stayed down, the compressor didn't even activate... I am so confused, the other three lincolns I have owened where all Town Cars so this 4 wheel air suspension is a new beast for me, the TC's only have them in the rear..
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

Sounds like your battery is low now from trying to trim the vehicle correctly. Put an overnight charger on it and wait until the next morning.
In order to see if the sensor is in place correctly you have to remove the effected front wheel and tire assembly. After doing that, look at the connection at the top just behind the upper arm bushing joint. Look inside at this "flat wishbone" looking part or an "A" with the top pointing at you, and you'll see a rubber coated sensor. It looks like a small accordian, mounted vertically. It is connected to that "wishbone" piece at the top and to a solid place on the body at the bottom. As the wheel goes up and down vertically, it measures the resistance and sends the data to the control module which makes any corrections it thinks it should. If the sensor is disconnected at either end, you should get a warning that the sensor is out of normal range. However, the sensor could be bad, but first make sure it is attached on both ends to a small ball. One at the top and one at the bottom. It just snaps in, but you may have to grease it a little. Then check the electrical connection. If it was off, you have probably fixed it, but if all looks OK, the sensor may be bad and perminently sending the control module that all is fine. You would need a new sensor after that.
 
RE: Air Suspention Problem... one side isn't working

Thanks guys, ok I took the car to my local ford dealership and the service manager told me they ran every test they could, and found no problems, except one clogged vent, so they cleaned it out, and the Air Ride is working fine now, so they say.... but... The car rides like a tractor, so rough that at times it's hard to keep control of it... Does anyone know of anything else that could make this car ride so terribly... It has fairly new tires on it, less 8 months old... It's really killing me to drive this thing, it feels like it's about to rattle apart... ANY IDEAS or suggestions would be VERY helpful. I have an aftermarket warrantee to cover any major repairs, but I can't get the car repaired if no one knows whats wrong with it... Thanks Guys
 
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