Lownslowlsc
Dedicated LVC Member
I picked up a pair of those a couple months back from their wholesale closeout, just haven't had a chance to install them yet. It was to good of a deal to pass up. Thanks though.
hate to ask but: Weird AIR RIDE issue...
- Thread starter Hot*Mk8
- Start date
I picked up a pair of those a couple months back from their wholesale closeout, just haven't had a chance to install them yet. It was to good of a deal to pass up. Thanks though.
keatonsdad
Dedicated LVC Member
I believe the Rotunda starII tester will test the air system. I happen to have one If you want to rent it.:shifty:
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
I believe the Rotunda starII tester will test the air system. I happen to have one If you want to rent it.:shifty:
Yes, that's the one I used and it wouldn't give me any codes even though the dash readout shows a constant code. Thanks for the offer though, keatonsdad!
Someone up the pile said that it sounded like a venting problem and it did to me, too. That's why we went back to the original compressor/dryer and nothing changed. We've been through that particular possibility. Air ride module or possible unseated front height sensor is where I'm going next, I think.
Thanks for sharing some interesting insights, guys! I will certainly let you know the outcome. Funny, it pains me to see the car not functioning so much that I thought I'd go ahead and join it with a sciatic nerve injury. About the same kind of problem in human terms, I guess. :slam
Stangman
Project car a.d.d.
Sciatic nerve hurts a lot worse..... ask me how. Lol
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
It is possible that both compressors have sticking vent solenoids. How new is the newest one you have and who did it come from? I was thinking you said something about having a new motor and didn't know if that meant it was a newly refurbished compressor or just another newer used one off eBay.
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
Ya, Stangman, I know. I crashed a fastback Mustang when I was in high school and my sciatic nerve problem started then... only a little over twenty-something
years ago. I expect to have my Mark completely fixed next week, damn it! Me, well, I collect injuries as I go. At least I go, though. 
Truth be told, I probably jacked up my back trying ceaselessly to polish, rub, wax, coax or otherwise will the water spots off of my car. Shhhh.
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
Well, I know that anything is possible. The old one was working fine when removed, but it was noisy. The new one, not refurbished and purchased through eBay from autopartsdirect2u in Florida at the end of April worked fine until a couple of weeks ago.
I am sorta thinking that maybe the wire harness was damaged when the new one was put in, so it did the same thing when the old one was put back in. That might explain why the unit tested okay, but perhaps isn't receiving the venting signal from the OBC? I don't know if the air ride module and compressor are downstream from the main computer or if they act as an independent subsystem. I need to just flip open my four-inch books again, I guess.
Stangman
Project car a.d.d.
Ya, Stangman, I know. I crashed a fastback Mustang when I was in high school and my sciatic nerve problem started then... only a little over twenty-something
Lol nice sounds like me. Spent 15hrs detailing my '94 GT a couple times. Had an accident in my old foxbody GT (killed that car), hopped a few hills in my 94 and my Mark (after coil conversion!), and hopped the train tracks in my 4x4 Ranger lol
ford nut
Local nut case
+1
+1 x2
+1
Yep
+1
Your compressor has a blue and a white wire going to it at the plug, this opens the vent that is part of the compressor, that is the only vent for the system.
White to ground, blue to 12 volts will open it.
Open the vent, open the solenoid at the bag with 12 volts and it should vent.
If it does not, the vent is plugged, a common problem.
Plugged vent, buy a new compressor.
NoLimit95
Dedicated LVC Member
Maybe you have seen this before but maybe it will help you out a little.
[url]http://mobile.americanairsuspension.net/MK8FAQ.html[/URL]
ford nut
Local nut case
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
The system tested fully functional THREE times with an OBD II Star Tester. It can't be a venting problem caused by the compressor/dryer unit itself. It has to be the signal on the way to the unit.
The original unit was working fine, but noisy. It was replaced with a NEW unit that worked fine for 3 1/2 months. Then, when the car stuck in 4x4 mode, the original unit was put back in with the same results... UP. The unit is not receiving the signal to vent, but when tested it works fine.
The original unit was working fine, but noisy. It was replaced with a NEW unit that worked fine for 3 1/2 months. Then, when the car stuck in 4x4 mode, the original unit was put back in with the same results... UP. The unit is not receiving the signal to vent, but when tested it works fine.
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
I love that app!! It's on my POS LG Spectrum and is most helpful. I've been through all of that and the tech manual. Thanks, though
ford nut
Local nut case
I would still test the vent, I would confirm that the system vents by forcing it to do so.
If it vents then your assumption of no signal to vent is correct.
If it vents then your assumption of no signal to vent is correct.
Spree
Dedicated LVC Member
I don't care what the air ride cost! A MK8 isn't a Lincoln if it doesn't have the air ride, (it's just another car). This is just my opinion but....if it fail's on a long trip, then so be it! I'm not going to stick around town because I have air ride. Make sure it's up to par and you won't have to worry about it. If you have to put spring's on a MK8 then you probably shouldn't have one!
I guess that's also my opinion. I never drove one with spring's, so I don't know but...the air ride came with the car so I'm keeping it! I already replaced the front bags, compressor, dryer once and rear back bags are original, (with 194K) I'm sure there going to go out somewhere far away but when that happens....new bag's going in!
Sorry, just venting some steam for the air ride!
People change all kind of thing's on these cars for "more power", "faster braking", "cooler look's".
The air ride is part of the car.....why change it? (cause it cost to much?) (for dependability?) It's dependable if you keep it up......just saying.
Maybe it's just me but when I see a MK8 with springs, I just walk away.
I figure if it has spring's then corner's were cut elsewhere.
I guess that's also my opinion. I never drove one with spring's, so I don't know but...the air ride came with the car so I'm keeping it! I already replaced the front bags, compressor, dryer once and rear back bags are original, (with 194K) I'm sure there going to go out somewhere far away but when that happens....new bag's going in!
Sorry, just venting some steam for the air ride!
People change all kind of thing's on these cars for "more power", "faster braking", "cooler look's".
The air ride is part of the car.....why change it? (cause it cost to much?) (for dependability?) It's dependable if you keep it up......just saying.
Maybe it's just me but when I see a MK8 with springs, I just walk away.
I figure if it has spring's then corner's were cut elsewhere.
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
I don't care what the air ride cost! A MK8 isn't a Lincoln if it doesn't have the air ride, (it's just another car). This is just my opinion but....if it fail's on a long trip, then so be it! I'm not going to stick around town because I have air ride. Make sure it's up to par and you won't have to worry about it. If you have to put spring's on a MK8 then you probably shouldn't have one!
I guess that's also my opinion. I never drove one with spring's, so I don't know but...the air ride came with the car so I'm keeping it! I already replaced the front bags, compressor, dryer once and rear back bags are original, (with 194K) I'm sure there going to go out somewhere far away but when that happens....new bag's going in!
Sorry, just venting some steam for the air ride!
People change all kind of thing's on these cars for "more power", "faster braking", "cooler look's".
The air ride is part of the car.....why change it? (cause it cost to much?) (for dependability?) It's dependable if you keep it up......just saying.
Maybe it's just me but when I see a MK8 with springs, I just walk away.
I figure if it has spring's then corner's were cut elsewhere.
Very, very true. I promise not to weiner out!!!!!! I've definitely read mixed reviews about the ride from those who've converted. Thanks for venting. Wish my car would.
Hot*Mk8
Dedicated LVC Member
Good call, ford nut. Will do!
ford nut
Local nut case
The air ride can be troublesome.
But as anything there are ways around it.
I like to control the ride height, so I will stay on air.
The factory system leaves a lot to be desired.
I have seen more then one car that has a hard to solve hard fault.
If you understand it, its not hard to trouble shoot and maintain, but I also understand why some swap to the "right" spring setup and the reasons why.
But as anything there are ways around it.
I like to control the ride height, so I will stay on air.
The factory system leaves a lot to be desired.
I have seen more then one car that has a hard to solve hard fault.
If you understand it, its not hard to trouble shoot and maintain, but I also understand why some swap to the "right" spring setup and the reasons why.
Spree
Dedicated LVC Member
There's a reason to swap to spring's? I thought it was just a money issue!
OK.... I'm done venting!
I'm starting to sound like Thaywood with the strut thing! (air spring I mean).
No offense Thaywood!!
97MarkJA
Dedicated LVC Member
I went to springs and love it, it had nothing to do with money.
ford nut
Local nut case
Your spring setup would make the die hard air guy change his mind.
UltimateSVT
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I went to springs on 3 Marks counting my black 97 & ALL THREE cars ride smoother on the springs than they did on air.
See something I've never mentioned on this thread is that the air bags/air struts aren't meant to expand too much therefore when holding air, they are SUPER STIFF as opposed to the springs which are flexible. I've tested the diferrence on all 3 cars & like I said before, unless you have the money to replace the entire system, you won't regret going with springs!
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
uh, well if springs are softer than my air, my car is gonna wallow like a boat. no want. i already have retarded body roll.
have you ever tried to flex a car spring? flexible? idk. and really, air compresses fairly easy. its the air that compresses, not the bag that expands.
i bet air suspension cars see more suspension travel than spring cars.
and prolly cuz you had blown shocks and old air bags, a brand new set of shocks and springs at all four corners surely helped out. and if you replaced any suspension components at that time, its no longer a fair comparison. you shouldn't compare brand new vs 15 year old stuff. that's just silly.
its good that your pleased, it is your money after all. but your still comparing new stuff to old, worn out stuff, there better be some improvement.
so, imo, old air ride < new springs < new air ride.
and yes, i've driven a sub 40k mark quite a bit. i know what they felt like when pretty new.
now if you build your spring kit for a more handling oriented perspective, using aftermarket parts, that's something else entirely.
and springs are more reliable. air suspension does have issues. but i have had zero problems (out side of air bags, a wear item.), and i'm sure many others have as well. its a general maintenance thing. keep up with maintenance, problems stay small and you are rewarded with reliability.
we see lots of air suspension issues here, but people come here with problems. how often do we see someone stop by to let us know they've had 150k with no major problems? not often.
plus i like being able to get out of my driveway with 5 200 lb guys in my car. like to see a sprung car try that!
UltimateSVT
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For 3 years I used to say the same exact thing. In fact if you look at my old threads I sounded a little bit just like you. "There's nothing like air ride, it's what sets these cars apart from the rest...
See here's the thing. How smart is that comment really?... REALLY?!?!?! So you rather go through the trouble of breaking down somewhere far from home, you either carry parts in your trunk (instead of having a clean trunk) & have to dedicate time to troubleshoot your air ride & attempt to fix the issue instead of enjoying your time away from home? Why? because God forbid you own a Mark on springs? lol. Yeah, not a mature response...
I guess this means a good portion of us on here have to give up our cars.
Oh well, I already sold my '93, anyone want my other 2 cars?I spent hundreds "keeping it up" & it would fail when you least expect it. Last issue I had with my '93 was a night I took my wife out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. On the way out I told my wife to wait by the door because it was drizzling. When I got to the car it was slammed!!! I looked like a thug when I pulled up in my "gangsta mobile slammed to the ground". After spending all that money & still be let down by the air ride system that's when I switched to Eibach springs on my '93.
Maybe it's just me but when I see a MK8 with springs, I just walk away.
I figure if it has spring's then corner's were cut elsewhere.
Please explain yourself, what does choosing between 2 options have to do with cutting corners?
I'm a 33 year old man that likes dependability. If you know about my cars I've done completely the opposite when it comes to cutting corners. In fact these damn cars tend to empty my pockets because I go all out.
Switching to springs isn't someone chickening out. It's simply the most COST SAVVY decision if you don't have the money to swap the entire system so you are worry free.
If you don't believe me, just do a research on LVC. I think the most frequent issue that's talked about on this forum is "AIR RIDE ISSUE" Those three words are EPIC on this forum.
Dude, it's one of the biggest reason why our car's are worth nothing on the market. Everyone wants to stay away from them because of the "air ride problems"
The day I have TONS of money to spend I will most certainly have a "NEW" air ride system installed on one of my Marks & see which one lasts the longest.
Lownslowlsc
Dedicated LVC Member
You just have to realize that these cars are too fuggin old on worthless to throw 350+ each for oem units. Once people start having issues is when they'll start liking the idea of coils. And now that theres no cheaper front air struts available more and more are opting for them.