Town Car air suspension problems? Read this thread!

[oktowncar]

Anyone have the sizes of the o-rings used in the rear airbag suspension solenoid?

Take one of the old ones down to the auto parts store and they can match up the size for you

 

[lassetexan]

Maybe this could be some help.

 

[MachMarcus]

Thanks for this information. Nice to have and file away for future should I need to re-visit the air suspension.

I was having a difficult time after having replaced both bags. I still had the vehicle bags loosing air and thought that it might be the o-rings allowing the bags to leak down. Replaced the o-rings in both solenoids but that did not stop the leak down of the bags. Frustrated with the situation, I purchased a set of springs with the intent to remove the air suspension system and move to conventional steel spring set up. Had to wait until the springs were delivered and I had time (weekend) to complete the repairs. During that waiting time, I researched this forum, other areas on the internet and spoke with some people familiar with systems like this. During this time, I decided to try one more item, air solenoids. Mainly because I wasn't willing to give up the air suspension ride that easily and didn't want to resign myself to defeat by just installing the steel springs. Heck, I like that the Lincoln Town Car has air ride.

So, I allowed the car to sit for over one week without starting or allowing the compressor to fill the air bags. Bought two air solenoids from Rock Auto and on Saturday morning, began to jack up the car and replace both. But before I replaced them or jacked the car, I measured each side to get a baseline. Noticed that the driver side was all the way down, but the passenger side was about 1.5" higher. Still noticeably lower that what it was suppose to be, but higher slightly than the passenger side.

So, I jacked up the vehicle and found that the drivers side air bag had no air. Removed and then removed the air solenoid from the air line. Installed the new air solenoid into the bag, off the vehicle. And that is key, much easier to install the solenoid to the bag, then reconnect to the electrical and air line! Then re-installed the bag onto the vehicle. I then went to the passenger side, jacked up car and found that the air bag was inflated! So it appears that if one air bag is deflated and the other is inflated, the inflated bag will collapse below the standard ride height of the vehicle because it is shouldering the entire weight of the rear portion of the car.

So after replacing one air solenoid, both airbags and the compressor, air suspension is all good, functioning and finished. Will possibly keep the springs for any future issues with the suspension or may sell them. But for now, glad that I kept on plugging away to locate and repair the air suspension.

Advice. Replace the air solenoids when replacing the bags. Removing the bags, then solenoids and installing the new solenoids on the bags while at the bench is much easier than working with the old ones under the car. No one has given that advice, so that's my $.02 worth.

 

[wolf_walker]

I replaced all that stuff on my 04 not long after I got it, bags were a little dry rotted, the rest just on principle. That was 3, 4 years ago? The cheap compressor I got crapped out the other week, stuck a new one in there and all is still well. If they aren't dead by then I'll likely replace the bags this winter or in the spring maybe just on age. I figure five years is about enough for aftermarket bags. Costs more than springs for sure, but you don't get anything for free.

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[oktowncar]

I'm on my 3rd set of bags and still using the original solenoids with no issues

 

[Norms1stTC]

I'm on my 3rd set of bags and still using the original solenoids with no issues

Finally going to Suncore HD coil spring conversion after 20 years of Original Lincoln compressor (dead now), original Lincoln bags (leaking bad know), and original Lincoln solenoids and line, with only remanufactured and junkyard motorcraft replacements available and Chinese made garbage @$500 vs $58 for the spring conversion, it was a no brainer for me.

 

[Brian J. Patterson]

Hello, group.

Yet another testimonial for Arnott bags. I've yet to read of anyone on this forum regretting installing Arnott Air Springs on their Town Cars.

My original air springs were bad when I bought my '01 Lincoln Town Car. With the major sub-zero streaks hitting Northern Illinois, the bags finally decided that they wouldn't hold air at all in sub-zero weather. A quick trip to a local skilled mechanic saw me fitted with a new pair of Arnotts.

The replacement o-rings for the solenoids Arnott sends with their springs are tight according to other posters, as well as the mechanic I had replace the air springs for me. But, this can be overcome with a little extra o-ring safe lubricant and practice.

The car rides and handles as it should, and it holds air just as well as when the car was built.

The NOS Motorcraft/Firestone air springs are great if you are trying to maintain your Town Car in "concours-ready" condition. But if you're just trying to keep the car fully working and driving, the Arnotts are just as good, likely much fresher, and a fair bit less expensive.

Good luck.

 

[Bambam89]

My air suspension light came on last night and my trunk light does not work anymore, could this be related or just a coincidence?

I believe I can rule out the switch and connector because when I switch it off the car does recognize the system being off. The car sags in the rear now so is it safe to assume the air bags just went bad? I don't want to replace the air bags just to have the same problem again so I'm debating coil springs as well.

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[jkeaton]

My air suspension light came on last night and my trunk light does not work anymore, could this be related or just a coincidence?

I believe I can rule out the switch and connector because when I switch it off the car does recognize the system being off. The car sags in the rear now so is it safe to assume the air bags just went bad? I don't want to replace the air bags just to have the same problem again so I'm debating coil springs as well.

Never asssume. It could be any number of things. Compressor, air lines, leveling sensors, fuse, bags, etc. You need to do some troubleshooting/testing before blindly throwing parts at it.

 

[Bambam89]

Never asssume. It could be any number of things. Compressor, air lines, leveling sensors, fuse, bags, etc. You need to do some troubleshooting/testing before blindly throwing parts at it.

The fuses look fine. Besides the bags, which of the items you mentioned are most likely to fail? I knew that the air bags would fail eventually, but was hoping I'd have time to fix other issues first considering I've owned the car for less than a week. Yall think it's just a coincidence the trunk lights stopped working around the same time?

 

[oktowncar]

The fuses look fine. Besides the bags, which of the items you mentioned are most likely to fail? I knew that the air bags would fail eventually, but was hoping I'd have time to fix other issues first considering I've owned the car for less than a week. Yall think it's just a coincidence the trunk lights stopped working around the same time?

Bags, Solenoid(s) compressor, the dryer can fail in just about that order.
I would get some soapy water, turn off the suspension via the switch, jack up the rear. Spray down the bags and watch for leaks.
As far as the trunk lid switch I would consider that a separate issue not related to the suspension.
You could take it off, clean it up then relubricate things. Reinstall and see if it starts working

 

[Bambam89]

Bags, Solenoid(s) compressor, the dryer can fail in just about that order.
I would get some soapy water, turn off the suspension via the switch, jack up the rear. Spray down the bags and watch for leaks.
As far as the trunk lid switch I would consider that a separate issue not related to the suspension.
You could take it off, clean it up then relubricate things. Reinstall and see if it starts working

Thanks for your reply. I have decided to go with coil springs for now until I become more comfortable diagnosing electronic problems...I had the rear of the car jacked up overnight with the compressor off. Turned on the car this morning and switched the compressor on but I cannot get the compressor to run whatsoever, I've also been reading the module could be the problem as well. Perhaps I'll go back to the air ride one day but the coils should get me back on the road soon.

I am assuming you are referring to the black part bolted to the middle of the trunk that latches (trunk release motor?). I have taken it off and lubricated as well with no luck. FYI the power trunk never worked nor the release switch, but light inside the trunk did work till recently. Anyone know if a bad DDM can affect the trunk light not coming on?

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[Norms1stTC]

Thanks for your reply. I have decided to go with coil springs for now until I become more comfortable diagnosing electronic problems...I had the rear of the car jacked up overnight with the compressor off. Turned on the car this morning and switched the compressor on but I cannot get the compressor to run whatsoever, I've also been reading the module could be the problem as well. Perhaps I'll go back to the air ride one day but the coils should get me back on the road soon.

I am assuming you are referring to the black part bolted to the middle of the trunk that latches (trunk release motor?). I have taken it off and lubricated as well with no luck. FYI the power trunk never worked nor the release switch, but light inside the trunk did work till recently. Anyone know if a bad DDM can affect the trunk light not coming on?

You won't regret going to coils. Price alone sealed the deal for me. And the ride is the same.

 

[oktowncar]

Thanks for your reply. I have decided to go with coil springs for now until I become more comfortable diagnosing electronic problems...I had the rear of the car jacked up overnight with the compressor off. Turned on the car this morning and switched the compressor on but I cannot get the compressor to run whatsoever, I've also been reading the module could be the problem as well. Perhaps I'll go back to the air ride one day but the coils should get me back on the road soon.

I am assuming you are referring to the black part bolted to the middle of the trunk that latches (trunk release motor?). I have taken it off and lubricated as well with no luck. FYI the power trunk never worked nor the release switch, but light inside the trunk did work till recently. Anyone know if a bad DDM can affect the trunk light not coming on?

If you jacked up the car then the rear suspension is extended.
Thus, the compressor will not turn on thinking the system is at or above ride height.

Put it on the ground turn on the IGN switch and let the compressor air up the system.
Turn IGN switch off and then flip the rear suspension switch in the trunk to the off position.
Jack up the car and spray soapy water on the bags.. Inspect

 

[Bambam89]

If you jacked up the car then the rear suspension is extended.
Thus, the compressor will not turn on thinking the system is at or above ride height.

Put it on the ground turn on the IGN switch and let the compressor air up the system.
Turn IGN switch off and then flip the rear suspension switch in the trunk to the off position.
Jack up the car and spray soapy water on the bags.. Inspect

I should have mentioned that the compressor did not and still does not kick on with the car on the ground, leading me to believe the problem is more than the bags themselves. If I were sure it were the bags only then I would feel comfortable replacing them. Any easy way to tell if the level sensors, module, or the compressor itself is bad? The bags would have to be replaced anyway since they are original 2008 with 92k miles.

 

[Norms1stTC]

I should have mentioned that the compressor did not and still does not kick on with the car on the ground, leading me to believe the problem is more than the bags themselves. If I were sure it were the bags only then I would feel comfortable replacing them. Any easy way to tell if the level sensors, module, or the compressor itself is bad? The bags would have to be replaced anyway since they are original 2008 with 92k miles.

Troubleshooting a Lincoln Town Car Air Suspension

itstillruns.com

Here's a good read for you...ultimately, I went with coils and never looked back when all my components failed, never regretted it either. Just couldn't see spending the time or the money chasing air bag component gremlins when the vehicle is set up for something as simple as coil springs and insulators with a matched ride quality.... Good luck on your choice.

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[Daddystown]

I have 07 was fine now saggs some days. It lifts fine if sitting some days won't even pick up ..given it rise I don't think air bags once up holds til sitting over night what could be issue hates loose air ride

 

[Norms1stTC]

I have 07 was fine now saggs some days. It lifts fine if sitting some days won't even pick up ..given it rise I don't think air bags once up holds til sitting over night what could be issue hates loose air ride

Could be solenoids, module, air line leak on the line, leaky air bags , bad o-rings ,etc..etc...these air ride suspensions can have 1 or multiple things go wrong with them at any given time, which is why I went with coil springs in the rear of mine. Cheaper than any major air suspension component and more reliable that will usually last the life of the vehicle.....the ride is exactly the same also to me.

 

[Towncarlimoguy]

I have 07 was fine now saggs some days. It lifts fine if sitting some days won't even pick up ..given it rise I don't think air bags once up holds til sitting over night what could be issue hates loose air ride

Buy a 2010-11. No air ride.

 

[Norms1stTC]

Buy a 2010-11. No air ride.

Yep, or do the spring conversion and never worry about any trouble lights with the suspension.