Town Car air suspension problems? Read this thread!

[jcole100]

I'm having trouble with my air suspension system. The first task is to determine for sure when it's on. When my dash say "Air Suspension" is that when it is on?

 

[lassetexan]

Its when its off. And I guess it also tells something is not working

 

[oktowncar]

The light on the dash indicates a problem in the system.

The first thing you want to do is jack up the rear of the vehicle and spray down the airbags with soapy water and look for any bubbles.
Usually, the bottoms of the bags crack over time and allow leaks.

 

[dave42]

Actually, the very first thing would be to ensure the switch in the trunk is turned on! If it is, start diagnosing. Does the compressor ever turn on? Does the rear end sink? Fuses checked? You didn't say what kind of trouble you are having. If you just bought the car, look underneath and make sure it doesn't have coil springs in back!

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[jcole100]

Its when its off. And I guess it also tells something is not working

Thanks! This tells me a lot. So, now I have turned the system on, as it was off. Hopefully the system will soon decide to send the back end up higher.

Amazingly, the system has been off since December, when a new transmission was put in. When I saw "Air Suspension" I thought they had to put in a new type of console with the new transmission! (Even though that doesn't really make sense...) So, I'm sort of surprised it took months for the back end to become a problem.

 

[Action]

The owners manual will have an explanation about lights on instrument panel.

Action

 

[dave42]

Thanks! This tells me a lot. So, now I have turned the system on, as it was off. Hopefully the system will soon decide to send the back end up higher.

Amazingly, the system has been off since December, when a new transmission was put in. When I saw "Air Suspension" I thought they had to put in a new type of console with the new transmission! (Even though that doesn't really make sense...) So, I'm sort of surprised it took months for the back end to become a problem.

If it took months for the rear to drop, then your air springs probably are in pretty good shape. Probably a very small leak that is no big deal at this time. But it should have aired up immediately when you turned the switch back on and started the car. So if it didn't, then check the fuses first thing.

 

[04TC]

All good answers, I just want to add that it is recommended to turn the air suspension "OFF" before jacking up or lifting the rear or whole of the car. Which is probably why the transmission technicians had turned it "OFF" when they were working on your Car.

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[Freeman]

If you’re older and retired like me and enjoy working on cars, give it a shot. I’d first check which air ride components are still installed and operable.

I decided that I want to return the air springs, but I can not check the operation of the compressor. I have springs now. I'd like to hear the compressor start. How to do it? I have Town Car 07.
Thank you.

 

[oktowncar]

I decided that I want to return the air springs, but I can not check the operation of the compressor. I have springs now. I'd like to hear the compressor start. How to do it? I have Town Car 07.
Thank you.

compress the watts link briefly to activate the height sensor. That should send a signal to the compressor and run

 

[Freeman]

compress the watts link briefly to activate the height sensor. That should send a signal to the compressor and run

It doesn't work that way. solenoids are not installed. perhaps so the system will not turn on the compressor. maybe there is another way?

 

[oktowncar]

It doesn't work that way. solenoids are not installed. perhaps so the system will not turn on the compressor. maybe there is another way?

The height sensor relies on the solenoids for information. IF the solenoids are not in place the system will not work

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[Freeman]

The height sensor relies on the solenoids for information. IF the solenoids are not in place the system will not work

Thank you. I think that then need to correctly apply power directly to the compressor. Need to look at the diagrams.

 

[jcole100]

All good answers, I just want to add that it is recommended to turn the air suspension "OFF" before jacking up or lifting the rear or whole of the car. Which is probably why the transmission technicians had turned it "OFF" when they were working on your Car.

This makes a lot of sense. I wish I had been more curious and looked into why the words "Air Suspension" were showing on my dash.

Anyway, the air bags are out for the air suspension. Replacing them costs the same as going to mechanical shocks, etc. I'm leaning towards going mechanical -- my repair guy says if the compressor goes out, it would cost $500 to fix. How much less cool will the ride and handling be if I switch to regular shocks? (2005 Lincoln Town Car)

 

[lassetexan]

This makes a lot of sense. I wish I had been more curious and looked into why the words "Air Suspension" were showing on my dash.

Anyway, the air bags are out for the air suspension. Replacing them costs the same as going to mechanical shocks, etc. I'm leaning towards going mechanical -- my repair guy says if the compressor goes out, it would cost $500 to fix. How much less cool will the ride and handling be if I switch to regular shocks? (2005 Lincoln Town Car)

You can replace the compressor by yourself - and you can get a Arnott Compressor, think they are less expensive.

 

[Action]

https://www.partsgeek.com/b1p38by-lincoln-town-car-air-compressor.html?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=pf&utm_content=dc&utm_campaign=PartsGeek+ShopZilla&fp=pp&utm_term=Lincoln+Air+Compressor&cnxclid=7045735c37a01ea3de0817091a7e68f2&msclkid=7045735c37a01ea3de0817091a7e68f2

A compressor in my Navigator was 3 bolts, electrical connectors and two air lines. Town Car will have one.

Ride difference .... to the discerning person the ride is a little harder and less for giving in rapid road surface irregularities. (Pot holes and things similar to that) This is based on Mark and Navigator with 4 wheel position dynamic suspension.

If you are looking for cheap and longer lasting and don;t care about the ride so much, go with metal springs and traditional shocks. Then you will only need to replace the shocks from time to time. If you go that direction, I would suggest saving the top mount and solenoid for the next owner. Should the next owner want dynamic suspension, the top mount & solenoid will be needed.

Action

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[Don951]

My 2005 Town car rear suspension sinks as I drive down the road, I stop and get out and check it out and it raises as I watch it. I drive down the road and it sinks again. I'm looking for tips on how I can start narrowing down what the culprit is.

If it becomes a headache, you can replace the air bags with springs, they don't have to be anything special. On my friends 2003 Town Car I couldn't tell the difference, took less than a hour $150, he had a old pair of springs in his junk pile. However, some people want to keep it original. Good luck

 

[Uncle Poncho]

Bought a 2001 Town Car with 82k miles on it a couple of days ago. I joined this forum a while back when I had a 2005 LS. I've since sold that.
A couple of air suspension questions:
The car does sag a little in the rear after sitting for a while. I'm guessing leaking air bags? ( please let me know if my terminology is incorrect!) When I have time I'll spray with soapy water like one would when looking for a tire leak.
Next, the compressor runs for 10 seconds or so when I start the car and the rear visibly lifts. Then the compressor shuts off. The compressor doesn't sound much different than my garage air compressor. It's kinda loud. Is this normal operation?
I've been looking at compressors and bags just to get a preliminary idea on price. So far it doesn't look horribly expensive if I'm installing myself. But if I'm over simplifying due being new to these suspensions let me know. My previous experience only dealt with replacing all of the shock/spring units on the LS with 4 new Strutmasters. With this Town Car I only know that the switch to turn it off is in the trunk.

 

[oktowncar]

The car does sag a little in the rear after sitting for a while. I'm guessing leaking air bags? ( please let me know if my terminology is incorrect!) When I have time I'll spray with soapy water like one would when looking for a tire leak.

The best way to do this is to open the trunk and flip the suspension switch to deactivate the compressor.
Then Jack up the rear of the vehicle and fully stretch those bags for full exposure.
The very bottom of the bags is where it will usually start leaking.
Spray soapy water on the entire bag(s) ( top to bottom) and watch for bubbles.

If you see any replace both bags.

Next, the compressor runs for 10 seconds or so when I start the car and the rear visibly lifts. Then the compressor shuts off. The compressor doesn't sound much different than my garage air compressor. It's kinda loud. Is this normal operation?

Normal operation. The height sensor will tell the compressor when air is needed or removed..
When you get out of the vehicle( engine off) and close the doors you may hear/see the bags deflate a little. This is a normal operation

I've been looking at compressors and bags just to get a preliminary idea on price. So far it doesn't look horribly expensive if I'm installing myself. But if I'm over simplifying due being new to these suspensions let me know.

If your compressor is running fine then you shouldn't replace it, just to replace it. Don't needlessly waste your money
I have the original compressor on my 98' still going strong and I am on my 3rd set of bags.

I last replaced my bags in 21' and purchased a Chinese set from eBay and have zero issues. Those bags ended up costing me $50ish bucks.

 

[Uncle Poncho]

The best way to do this is to open the trunk and flip the suspension switch to deactivate the compressor.
Then Jack up the rear of the vehicle and fully stretch those bags for full exposure.
The very bottom of the bags is where it will usually start leaking.
Spray soapy water on the entire bag(s) ( top to bottom) and watch for bubbles.

If you see any replace both bags.



Normal operation. The height sensor will tell the compressor when air is needed or removed..
When you get out of the vehicle( engine off) and close the doors you may hear/see the bags deflate a little. This is a normal operation





If your compressor is running fine then you shouldn't replace it, just to replace it. Don't needlessly waste your money
I have the original compressor on my 98' still going strong and I am on my 3rd set of bags.

I last replaced my bags in 21' and purchased a Chinese set from eBay and have zero issues. Those bags ended up costing me $50ish bucks.

Thanks for the quick reply and insights. I'm new to the Town Car game so I'll take all the pointers I can get.
I learned more about an LS in a short time than I ever wanted to know. Got to a point where everything was working beautifully on it so I sold the old Ford/Jag mishmash.