Town Car air suspension problems? Read this thread!

[dave42]

You said you hear the compressor running when you start the car. Does it air up the rear end? If not, when the compressor stops (times out) does it illuminate the dash light (you said no dash lights on)? If it times out without reaching the height, it should show an error.

 

[hipphipp]

You said you hear the compressor running when you start the car. Does it air up the rear end? If not, when the compressor stops (times out) does it illuminate the dash light (you said no dash lights on)? If it times out without reaching the height, it should show an error.

Appreciate the quick reply Dave.

I can hear the compressor click on when I use the automatic start and listen from the back end. No Dash Lights come on after sitting in the vehicle for 10 minutes. No dash lights on the way home when the back end dropped. Both the left and the right side went down at the same time (if that matters).

 

[hipphipp]

Appreciate the quick reply Dave.

I can hear the compressor click on when I use the automatic start and listen from the back end. No Dash Lights come on after sitting in the vehicle for 10 minutes. No dash lights on the way home when the back end dropped. Both the left and the right side went down at the same time (if that matters).

So I had a mechanic friend run a plugged in diagnostic and no codes/error cords appeared.

 

[oktowncar]

Hi all, hope your all doing well! I am reading all 13 current pages of this discussion now to help find a solution.

2008 Town Car Executive L
Purchased at 46,000 miles, currently at 106,000.

Driving home yesterday and the ride got bumpy out of no where a few minutes away from home, realized the back end was to the floor.

-Reset the system, no changes.
-Can hear the compressor kicking on/off when starting the car.
-No dash lights on.
-No warning signs, car not sitting as high lately, etc.

Any help would be appreciated. Would like to gather information before taking it to the shop or diving in myself. Blessings!

Disable the rear suspension using the trunk switch and Grab a floor jack and jack the rear end up.
Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and spray down the air bags liberally and watch for any bubbles to appear.

If you find bubbles then replace the air bags

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[G-231055]

Disable the rear suspension using the trunk switch and Grab a floor jack and jack the rear end up.
Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and spray down the air bags liberally and watch for any bubbles to appear.

If you find bubbles then replace the air bags

Will do. If one air bag fails, will the entire rear end sink?

 

[oktowncar]

Will do. If one air bag fails, will the entire rear end sink?

If one fails then the other is not far behind. Replace them both as a matched set

 

[Daddystown]

If it's not the air bags then what?? System work periodically ..could be valve ..what actually controls the air ride..

 

[Norms1stTC]

If it's not the air bags then what?? System work periodically ..could be valve ..what actually controls the air ride..

Air suspension module

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[Jaskim06]

If one fails then the other is not far behind. Replace them both as a matched set

And when you get your air bags please please use Vaseline, baby oil, mineral oil, 303 anything to keep them from drying out and cracking. I've seen so many of these and ask the owners, What do you use on them, answer is always well nothing. Rubber needs a moisturizer just like our skin. We invest good money on these bags and should protect them. I've used all these methods and my bags last a long time. We have semis and log trailers with air bags and very rarely replace unless a tree limb pokes a hole or something does, never from dry rot. They always seem to rot on the very bottom where they attach and the first roll that comes out always have cracks. Use whatever kind of product on them and keep them looking and lasting as long as possible. Yes you can swap them and yes its a OK ride but I have 2 panthers 1 with each and the air bags ride so much better than springs. If protected they will last way longer than they do with nothing. 303 2 coats and then a petroleum product of your choosing. All these are $3 and less. 303 is $12. So 15 bucks for bags that last is alot cheaper than any other option. We're under there anyhow and only takes a minute. I've noticed since I've used the 303 on my new set of tires 2 years ago they still look new. It can be used on most anything and won't attract and keep dust stuck to it.

 

[AaronS]

Anyone use Arnott bags? They're more expensive. Just wondering if it's worth the price.

 

[Norms1stTC]

Anyone use Arnott bags? They're more expensive. Just wondering if it's worth the price.

So it was your bags that were bad then ?

 

[AaronS]

So it was your bags that were bad then ?

No, mine are fine. They're 19 years old and I figure it's probably time to replace them.

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[Norms1stTC]

No, mine are fine. They're 19 years old and I figure it's probably time to replace them.

Although I've converted to coil springs recently which I really like I've heard nothing but good things about Arnott, some members on here have stated that they have lasted five plus years or more so to me it's probably a good investment as I've stated I've moved on to coil springs after a complete failure of my air compressor my solenoids and leaky airbags went with the coil springs and never looked back good luck to you on whatever bags you choose

 

[GingerMonkeyBear]

I am about to convert to coil springs in my 2009.
My concern is what, if anything can be done to disable the system and or the dash light that will inevitably be on?
I know I can drive around with trunk switch flipped off forever, but doing so will have a warning message on the dash forever.

 

[Towncarlimoguy]

There is a way to fool the system that’s been posted somewhere on this forum. I can’t remember what exactly the process is but there’s something under there. If you decide to keep the airbags it’s just as easy to replace that whole system too. And inexpensive. Search the process on here for turning the light out.

 

[GingerMonkeyBear]

I will keep searching, I don't think it is in this thread. I read it all yesterday.
I saw a YouTube video yesterday, someone plugging the piece at the end of the line that you twist and pull out of the airbag back into the air line and ziptie it up and out of the way to fool the system. (It was an SUV to be fair, but still a Lincoln) I already have all the components for full replacement front and rear. For better or worse this is going to happen.
I deeply appreciate knowledge bases like these forums.
I'm so happy to have found such an active one for a discontinued vehicle.

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[Norms1stTC]

I will keep searching, I don't think it is in this thread. I read it all yesterday.
I saw a YouTube video yesterday, someone plugging the piece at the end of the line that you twist and pull out of the airbag back into the air line and ziptie it up and out of the way to fool the system. (It was an SUV to be fair, but still a Lincoln) I already have all the components for full replacement front and rear. For better or worse this is going to happen.
I deeply appreciate knowledge bases like these forums.
I'm so happy to have found such an active one for a discontinued vehicle.

I did my coil springs on an 02 and the light never did come on . As long as the height sensor is reading the correct voltage with the coil springs installed , the warning light should stay off.

 

[GingerMonkeyBear]

Interesting, this thing?
I need to get a good look around under there. I'm still trying to understand it all. I have seen reference to if the voltage is in acceptable range it will all be good (no light) that had me thinking I needed to trick the system and feed a false signal. However you're saying that it will do that for me providing my coil springs hold an "accepable" height? Thank you for patience and assistance.

 

[dave42]

I think my '03 is sitting at about the "correct" height with coils, but the light will come on if I turn on the switch in the trunk. The solenoids are hooked up but are bagged and tied out of the way. I just ignore the message in the dash.

 

[ThatOneName]

Hello, I got a 2006 town car signature limited. The rear left side is higher then the rear right side. I'm thinking a silinoid. Should I replace both of them? I'm going to turn off the air suspension tonight to see if it dose anything. The compressor dose not run continuously. If it was blown wouldn't it go all the way to thr ground?