2004 air suspension issue

So my problem is my air bags deflate every time I turn the car off. As soon as I turn the car back on the bags inflate and they stay inflated, but the second I turn the car off, both bags immediately start deflating.

I sprayed the bags with soap water while inflated and I'm not seeing any leaks. They just won't stay inflated when the cars off.

Any ideas?

What you’re describing is the normal operation of the rear leveling system. The system will only operate with the key in the ignition and someone in the car and then the compressor will run and inflate the airbags. The opposite will happen when the car is exited and the key removed. That caught my attention the day I brought my car home and parked in the garage. I impression was "Cool"

What you’re describing is the normal operation of the rear leveling system. The system will only operate with the key in the ignition and someone in the car and then the compressor will run and inflate the airbags. The opposite will happen when the car is exited and the key removed. That caught my attention the day I brought my car home and parked in the garage. I impression was "Cool"


Sounds as if his are deflating entirely and I do not believe that should happen. Slight deflation yes, but not a complete deflation.

One unique feature of the air suspension is that it is self-leveling. The system will seek it's "trim" level both when the ignition is on and for an hour after shutting off the car and exiting the vehicle. When you get in the car, the weight of you, passengers and luggage will cause the level of the car to sink. When you turn on the key, the system will inflate back to trim level. When you turn off the car and get out, the car will rise up from the removal of the weight. When you shut the driver door, the system will automatically lower the car back to trim level.

Having said all that, it is not clear, at least to me, is just how much your car is lowering after shut off.

If lowering normally back to trim level, you will hear the solenoids click open after you shut the driver door and click closed again when trim level is reached. The car will sit normally.

If the car is lowering to the point that either end or all four corners look like they are dragging on the ground (the low-rider look), then you have a leak in the system. This leak can be either external through the rubber bladders of the individual springs, or internal from moisture and/or dirt contamination of the solenoid valves, allowing the air to leak back into the supply hoses and out of the system at any point of least resistance.

Since you have checked for external leaks in the springs thenselves and cannot find any, I would expect that your dryer dessicant is saturated and there is water in the system. This would be a good time to either replace your existing dryer or disassemble it and bake the dessicant. I have done the latter on both of my Lincolns with great results.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.