Suspension Compressor and fire?

[96DemonLSC]

Hi Everyone,

I recently got a 96 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. Love the marks. First car I drove was a Mark VII and later, I drove a Mark III.
Recently I noticed the rear end sagging after sitting. In the morning it was sagging. Later went out saw there was no sag. Getting closer, the compressor was running with no key in the ignition. Opened the door and could smell smoke so disconnected the battery to cut all power.

Have any of you had experience with this or heard of this? Any ideas? PLEASE help.

 

[Psychostang]

It a good bet you have a bad ignition switch. The compressor should not come on after the ignition is turned off and the door closed. You may hear it vent, but thats it. I would definately recommend replacing both rear air bags. Right now, your giving the compressor a hard time. This is why the compressors usually fail. It is not designed for a long duty cycle.

 

[unity]

The compressor can operate for up to an hour after the car is off. That is normal. It will also vent. Its to adjust for temp changes in the bags as they cool after driving.

 

[96DemonLSC]

It a good bet you have a bad ignition switch. The compressor should not come on after the ignition is turned off and the door closed. You may hear it vent, but thats it. I would definately recommend replacing both rear air bags. Right now, your giving the compressor a hard time. This is why the compressors usually fail. It is not designed for a long duty cycle.

Ah ok so the ignition switch could cause it to smell like something is burning and cause the compressor to run.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[96DemonLSC]

The compressor can operate for up to an hour after the car is off. That is normal. It will also vent. Its to adjust for temp changes in the bags as they cool after driving.

It had been turned off for about 16 hours. But thanks for some more info.

 

[unity]

Turned off for 16 hours and running?

Ya, Houston, you do have a problem! Really odd though, the air suspension module should not have been operating at all.

 

[96DemonLSC]

Turned off for 16 hours and running?

Ya, Houston, you do have a problem! Really odd though, the air suspension module should not have been operating at all.

hahaha yeah I kinda didn't think that was too normal. Then with the stinking burning smell in the cab, I really got worried. ugh. :runaway:

 

[unity]

I wonder if you had/have a fire at the brake pressure switch. It a current recall form Ford. If a fire was there is could have shorted the compressor wires.

I would REALLY suggest you remove the passenger side front wheel and take out the liner. Look for any signs of fire or brake fluid.

 

[96DemonLSC]

I wonder if you had/have a fire at the brake pressure switch. It a current recall form Ford. If a fire was there is could have shorted the compressor wires.

I would REALLY suggest you remove the passenger side front wheel and take out the liner. Look for any signs of fire or brake fluid.

Really?! Hmm so could that cause the burning smell to be in the cab?

BTW, do you know a good site for finding the recalls?

 

[newguy]

both my 93 mark VIII burned out that pressure switch just in the last 3 weeks and one had 117,000 and the other 119,000 so maybe its about this time it happens,just a wild guess,get it to the dealer or run your vin# to see if you had the recall done already

 

[newguy]

http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/07/30/daily44.html
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/AUTO01/708040378/-1/rss

 

[mespock]

Really?! Hmm so could that cause the burning smell to be in the cab?

BTW, do you know a good site for finding the recalls?

From it's location the smell could get into the cab. Not sure on a site for recalls but this one came out last year. All Ford owners with this recall should have gotten a notice. I received 3 of them for all my Mark VIII's

 

[96DemonLSC]

Hey Folks!
Thanks again for everyone’s help. I was able to get my mark to the shop. No problems with the recalls. Thanks for the sites btw.

Pyschostang, you had it pegged. It’s the ignition switch. :yourock:

Interestingly, the rear end has not lowered since I pulled the power. Hopefully the switch caused all my problems. We’ll see cause I’m waiting for the part.