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I'm a self avowed expert on the Air Suspension system now, after chasing and eliminating every possible gremlin in my 86 Continental. I created a few of my own, and I even had to repair the computer myself! Now, my car can go from dead flat to full trim in about 60 seconds.
I now sell Lincoln Air suspension parts, new and used, click here:
** If you have a 90-91 Continental your bag/struts are now bad. Replace them. **
** If you need books, check the big libraries for the MITCHELL series. or www.alldata.com for a set of ford manuals on CD-ROM for $29.95. **
** If you need bags for an 87 and earlier Continental, or a 93 and earlier Mark VII, ALWAYS, specify the "trailer towing" package. Those bags are heavier duty. They're also cheaper. They also handle better. **
Look for leaks, Look for leaks, Look for leaks, Look for leaks, Look for leaks
You need the Mitchell book, check the library, to start and run a self test on this system. It involves grounding a lead in the trunk, and cycling the ignition switch, and the drivers door switch on my car.
BTW, be careful, they got the "door open" and "door
closed" conditions, switched around in the published Mitchell test sequence.
UPDATE: Test sequence is listed below.
By putting heavy stuff in and out of the trunk, you can make the system cycle. Use soapy water on the hoses unions and connections. Look for corrosion on the electrical connectors. If the system doesn't attain "trim" in a specified amount of time, it will quit and light the light.
Leaky air bags would be my first suspect, if you have troubles. These are about $200 for the fronts. If you order the Heavy Duty bags for the rears, they're cheaper. Go figure...
Look for leaks on top of the dryer under the hood. That's the beer can shaped thing with the 4 hoses going in the top, with the corrugated plastic tubing over the hoses, mounted on the side of the air compressor, that's under the hood. Mine leaked badly here, and I had to develop a better way to attach those hoses. There is an attachement repair kit available from the dealer for minimal cost for this connection. It includes O-rings and can be used to repair the airbag solenoid to hose line junction, too.
The Air Suspension height sensors are hard to check, because they're not resistors, they're Hall effect binary type switches. BTW, my 86 has never needed a height sensor replaced.
If you come out one morning to find your battery completely dead, you probably have a stuck air compressor relay. After many years, they arc over and the contacts stick shut, causing the compressor to run endlessly. Replace this part, (found near the compressor under a little black plastic cover) with ONLY the Ford part.
Here's the poop on the compressor relay wiring....
Lincoln (83-87 Continental, 84-93 Mark VII) Air Compressor relay wiring
**************************************************************************
The Black/Yellow wire going into the relay is constant 12V from the fusible link going to the starter battery positive bolt. I'd bet big money that the fusible link is bad.
When the Air Compressor relay receives a ground signal from the Air Suspension computer on the DarkBlue/Yel wire (pin 22), the relay energizes, sending 12v (from the Black/Yellow wire) to the Air Suspension compressor on the Purple/Orange wire.
Check for 12 volts at the Black/Yellow wire. If it's not there, replace the fusible link. Problem solved.
If not,
Remove the relay, put a test light on the DarkBlue/Yellow terminal (other wire of test light to 12volts) and activate the air compressor by putting weight (people) on the car to push it down.
If you get a light, the computer is fine. Even if you don't get a light, I'd bet it's cause you tested it incorrectly. Remember the computer supplies a ground signal. Test for that.
Clean all the connections (plug) to the relay, and repair as needed. Make sure not to remove or break the diode on the relay socket. It is there to protect the Air Suspension computer from the voltage spike produced when the relay de-engergizes.
I'd bet big money the Air Suspension computer is fine. The only bad one I've ever heard of, was the one I blew up and had to repair.
To remove the lines from the air solenoids on each bag, depress the orange ring, and pull out the hose. To install, just push it in. Ford dealers have the above repair kit for this, if needed.
If you're REALLY POOR and can't afford to replace the bags, try this trick. Sometimes you can adjust the height sensors to one of the other positions, and affect a temporary "cure". The bags wear out and leak, where they are constantly folded over. Changing the ride height means that *that* part of the bag will now be straight, and it may leak less. This is temporary, and not a safe alternative to new bags.
LIN***ROD@AOL.COM just mailed me that he successfully used non flammable Fix-a-Flat to get some more time out of his leaky bags. Do this at your own risk!
The following was posted by C1Lanigan@aol.com a member of the LSC mailing list. I don't know if it's completely accurate, but I'm too lazy to type in all the pages for the diagnostic procedure. :)
Turn the key to the on position but don't start it, and then off, with the door open
leave the door open
Ground the pig tail in the trunk by the on/off switch
Turn the key to the on position again and your check suspension light will start flashing
close the door and open it and it will do test one
when that test is over close and open the door
again this will start test 2 (there are 9 tests)
to end the tests just turn the key off. If the check suspension light stays solid or flashes rapidly then there is a problem with that test and it will keep running the same test again unless you close and open the door twice.
Be aware, however, that I've already told you what you need to know, on this page. I receive a LOT of mail about air suspension, yet I rarely reply with anything that is not already here. But if you still want to email me, feel free.
Here are some links and feedback comments related to Lincoln Air Suspensions.
Here's a vendor of rebuilt parts:
Always check the refund policies of the people that you buy from.
Feedback:
Dean had a problem that went like this...
Hi again, I guess you were right, I should'nt believe people. Any way, the
relay was fried, along with the plug. I still don't have any power to the
pump or relay. There is one wire going into the computer with power,
otherwise nothing. I'm still thinking the computer is shot. OR do you think
other wise. Do you think that the computer from that 91 would work?? I
really can't afford to take it in, but I'm starting to think it's a good
idea. Any more ideas from you?? thank you much
DEAN
I told him the computer was fine, and to check the fusible links...
That's what prompted me to write the above part about how the relay is wired.
Hey there, its me LIN***ROD,
Well the info that you sent me was great! I guess I owe you big money, the
computer was fine. It was the fuseable link that was bad, along with a few
other wires that were fried. It took some time, but I got it all fixed now,
with alot of help from you.
I had to fix a few things after I got the wire thing done, but it all works
like a charm now :) Thanks alot for all the help you gave me.
DEAN
Then I asked if I could post his comments here...
Hey no problem, you can post what ever you would like. I guess
you were not lying, you are an expert about the air suspensions. Again,
thanks for all your help. Take care.
DEAN
Another Lincoln owner saved some money, through a good understanding of the system.