It's back up! Well, kinda sorta...Let me tell u what happened!

[UltimateSVT]

So I went to a local guy that parts out the 97/98 Mark's. Purchased the entire running compressor assembly with suspension module & all + an extra suspension module for dirt cheap. I came home from work today & took apart the right front end of the car + took off the tire<--Left the compressor switch on in the trunk even though I jacked up the car from that side.
I now had a clear view of my 93 compressor assembly. I wanted to cry. It is completely differrent than the 97/98. Good news though, I started messing with the electrical plugs, sensors, etc... Turned on the car, compressor kicked in & voila, it rose up. All 4 wheels, well, all 3 wheels since one was off but I saw the right front bag inflate right in front of my eyes since I was sitting on the floor right by the wheel well. The car was once again at ride height. Ok, for the time being I'm stuck this way so I hauled @$$:q & put everything back together quick. Literally seconds before I went to grab the right front tire to place it on the car, I hear the sensors on the front bags activate & they deflate. The back stayed perfect but the front slammed again. I placed the tire back on, picked up the mess but the front remains slammed. I'm not upset because it kinda looks nice but it reminds me a bit too much of the 70's Camaro's with the lifted rear ends & the huge tires. Tomorrow I will assist the car, jack it up a bit & see if it comes back up.
NOW, HERE'S the big one. As long as I use this car every other day shoudl I be fine? I drove the car about 16 city miles. I heard the compressor come on twice during the drive & both times, after it ran, I got the "Check Air Ride" on the dash. You guys were right & now I am fully aware that the issue is with the suspension module. The bags are fine. I have a feeling I got myself into one expensive hobby! lol

 

[02LS8Lincoln]

yeah alex we both did, lol!!!! My front bags also need replacing but im going to do that after I take care of the engine work first.

 

[Roadboss]

You should have turned the switch off, otherwise the system will typically vent.
Once the bags have been slammed it takes up to 3 key cycles to refill the bags.What you are experiencing now is the result of lack of maintainence
by previous owners, once some of the worn out stuff is replaced you should be good to go for years.

 

[BAD97LSC]

you can use the compressor you bought its the same exact compressor just a different bracket, the compressor comes off the bracket with 4 bolts.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Semi Hijack...

Is the compressor up to the standards of filling a reserve tank for an aftermarket air ride system?
Are the bags compatable, I wouldn't see why not, with a tank style air ride system?

 

[UltimateSVT]

You should have turned the switch off, otherwise the system will typically vent.
Once the bags have been slammed it takes up to 3 key cycles to refill the bags.QUOTE]

I hope you're right dude, if it quits raining here for 10 darn minutes I'll jack up the car just a bit from the front to assist the compressor then turn the key & cycle 3 times. Hopefully this will remedy the situation for now. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[Hemihed426]

Ahh the joys of that wonderful air ride, you guys are gluttons for punishment. Ditch the balloons and put you some coils under that thing and forget about it.

 

[UltimateSVT]

Ahh the joys of that wonderful air ride, you guys are gluttons for punishment. Ditch the balloons and put you some coils under that thing and forget about it.

I can't argue with you... but I love that air ride suspension. I'm looking at it this way, I'll fix this issue, if it gives me another issue in the next 6 months, then I'm switching to coils but I definitely don't want the car to sit at regular ride height, I'd like it to sit 2 niches lower. Any suggestions for my future suspension investment?

 

[Roadboss]

Air has way more options to it, and it is not a complicated system once you understand it. Horse and buggies use coils. LOL
Ray Switch and Module 8 are two popular methods for controlling ride height

 

[XLRVIII]

Air has way more options to it, and it is not a complicated system once you understand it. Horse and buggies use coils. LOL
Ray Switch and Module 8 are two popular methods for controlling ride height

+1

it's a fairly simple system that "when not neglected" will give years of trouble free service.

 

[UltimateSVT]

+1

it's a fairly simple system that "when not neglected" will give years of trouble free service.

Good 2 know... & yeah, my next step is to get a way to manually control the ride height on the system. Any suggestions?

 

[ford nut]

Ray switch

 

[Roadboss]

You may want to look at thus also:

http://www.module8.net/

 

[chicken]

it depends what your after. you could sensor lower it, install a rays switch, or a module8/ashmad8.
sensor lowering it is like dropin it a inch or so. rays switch just lets you slam it when you park, and the module8 if full control.
im running 2 compressors into a spidervale with a bigger valve, sensor lowered with a rays switch. i prefer the rays switch since the air ride computer has no idea its there and everything else works as stock (till you flip the switch) and when you raise it, it returns to the the preset height. the module 8 completely overrides the air ride and you set the height where you want it. i dont like this setup because with the variable heights come alignment issues, even after sensor lowering it i recommend a alignment. i dont need to drive slammed, just when i park

 

[UltimateSVT]

i dont like this setup because with the variable heights come alignment issues, even after sensor lowering it i recommend a alignment. i dont need to drive slammed, just when i park

I've noticed that already. The guy that had it told me he would let it sit for days until the bags would deflate, then he'd turn off the switch so that he can ride it slammed. I HATE THAT! The tires are eaten up on the inside. Alright guys, I guess I have to do my research & a bit of desicion making! Thanks.

 

[Roadboss]

Riding with the car slammed can cause damage to the sensors and the control arms, never mind being a driving safety issue.

 

[UltimateSVT]

Riding with the car slammed can cause damage to the sensors and the control arms, never mind being a driving safety issue.

+1...Dude, my personal opinion is that not only does it damage EVERYTHING but riding slammed is retarded! You look like aretard bouncing in the car, you look like a 17 year old thug from the hood & everyone looks at you like; "WTF does that guy see in that clunker?" I'm sorry but that's exactly what it looks like when you are RIDING slammed. If it's parked slammed, thats a differrent story. It looks like a beast that's resting from a hard day of racing! Alright guys. Thanks for your help. Atleast the car is up from the rear & it's driveable. Gonna work on the interior today.

 

[UltimateSVT]

Alright, it's update time! Did alot with the Mark this weekend. GOD I LOVE THIS HOBBY! I did alot to the interior but that I guess will be a whole other thread. Referrence the air ride suspension? FInally the weather permited me to play around with it. Jacked up the front of the car just enough to assist the compressor. Sure enough it rose up right away. Infact, just had to bring the jacks down about half an inch & they were free. I was very happy. I shut off the car, finidhed everything I had to do, showered, came back out, looked at the car finally leveled. Started the car to see hwo long the compressor would run now that it was fully leveled. What I saw threw me off completely. The car remained leveled until the compressor started running. As soon as it started, the front came back down slowly. I was shocked & a bit pissed. I figure its that ride height suspension module thats telling the front bags to release the air. It's frustrating me a bit but I guess it's something I'll deal with next weekend. Just thought I'd update everyone.

 

[02LS8Lincoln]

alex did you end up getting that interior?

 

[UltimateSVT]

alex did you end up getting that interior?

Dude, the guy never answered his phone. To be honest with you it kind of upset me because I didn't make any plans this weekend just because I wanted to get that interior + that exhaust system. His v/m box was full so I couldn't even leave him a message. NOT NICE! Anyway, I'll be calling him this afternoon when I get home from work.
As for my interior? I called a guy that lives in Broward, had a driver side seat (full working seat bracket which was my biggest problem), A/C control unit, complete center console with working lid, light switch panel, ALL door lock/window switches, mirror switch, etc... & met him up by ProPlayer Stadium to buy his parts. Installed everything yesterday morning. I'm no longer going to need that other guy's interior, going to custom upholster mine. GOing to keep a black/beige theme inside. For now I put some seat covers until I get the upholstering done.
I'll let you know when I set up a day to go get the exhaust & possible back seats for my car so u can tag along.

 

[XLRVIII]

What I saw threw me off completely. The car remained leveled until the compressor started running. As soon as it started, the front came back down slowly. I was shocked & a bit pissed. I figure its that ride height suspension module thats telling the front bags to release the air..

THAT is a 100% verification that the "vent solenind" inside the compressor is leaking.

the vent seals up the compressor so it can pump air into the bags, if the vent cant seal, when the car TRIES to pump up the bags, they fall down because the vent is leaking the pressure out...

replace the pump...

 

[UltimateSVT]

THAT is a 100% verification that the "vent solenind" inside the compressor is leaking.

the vent seals up the compressor so it can pump air into the bags, if the vent cant seal, when the car TRIES to pump up the bags, they fall down because the vent is leaking the pressure out...

replace the pump...

Dude, that's the thing, the car DOES stay up. It stayed up when I assisted it wiht the car jack. It remained up & didn't deflate up until I turned the car back on.

 

[XLRVIII]

Ok let me rephrase that.
that is 100% definitive proof that your "compressor" is bad.

One of two things is the problem, either way the compressor needs to be replaced.

Either the vent solenoid isn't sealing up the compressor head
OR
The compressor itself is so old, tired,smoked,fubared that it cannot support the weight of the vehicle.

MajicVIII ball says:


Shakes the ball



Wait for it











"all signs point to: Replace Compressor"

 

[UltimateSVT]

MajicVIII ball says:


Shakes the ball



Wait for it











"all signs point to: Replace Compressor"

:bowrofl: LMAO!!! TOo funny. I'll have to get a new one man.

 

[XLRVIII]

Mentioning the vent solenoid in the compressor is very much a moot point.

it's not an end user serviceable item, it's intregal to the compressor head as well.
So if it doesnt do it's job the compressor is rendered useless.

the only "fix" for a vent soleniod issue is replace the compressor.

note: the aftermarket spider valve can fix this issue but you still have to figure a way to plug the original solenoids orfice.

Luckily on my car, when the vent solenoid failed.. it froze shut, not open or leaking..so I could put a spider valve on the car.

hope some of this drivel helps.