95 Windstar Rear Air Suspension

Have 95 Windstar and beginning a year ago, the warning light would come on upon vehicle start-ups.
This was 1 year ago;
The warning light was the rear air suspension error warning light;
and this was only upon start-ups, never during operation.

When this error would occur, the rear air suspension system would shut
down and not inflate the rear air shocks at all.
This was easily resolved by accessing the jack storage comparment located at the rear of the vehicle and resetting the power switch for the rear air suspension system.

So I would start vehicle and immediately get the error light, rear shocks would not inflate and I would then reset system power switch and this would immediately clear the warning light and inflate the rear shocks and I was okay for travels. Again, this never happened during operation, only at start-ups and not consistently but
instead it happened intermittently.

So during the past year this has happened maybe 12 times.

But now system is completely shut down. Warning light is on, and resetting the power switch no longer works or their is a new problem in this system or its circuitry. However, only the left side rear shock will not inflate, the right side seems to be fine.

I have researched this problem thoroughly using my owners manual and my Haynes, but need more information. I believe with the problem only apparent to one side that this is going to be mechanical problems.
When ignition is turned to the ON position, their is no action at the air compressor at all which I believe would indicate an electrical problem with a fuse, relay, switch or other components within this system, but because resetting the power switch no longer clears the error I tend to believe that perhaps it is mechanical problem with a part that was breaking down and is now broke. For example, the air compressor designated to this system. Or perhaps an entirely differant problem that has just occurred and will not allow the rear air suspension system to operate at all because something actually is working properly in detecting this malfunctioned system and has shut it down.
But why just the one side?
I have inspected the lines and the shock boot bag thingy and there is no visible signs damage. It is not safe enough for driving so I am hoping to troubleshoot and fix this in my garage, however their is a check engine light that might give a code to identify the problem area, but then again, this rear air suspension system does not utilize that many sensors, or does it?
During my research and inspections I only identified one and that was the load level sensor located at the rear axle.
Can anybody help? I am about ready to order the OEM repair manual for my model but hope that my Haynes will offer enough info about mine to allow me to at least diagnose the problem or problem area.
And perhaps I should invest in a Code Reader to read any codes that appear. I understand that AutoZone offers this for free but what if the vehicle is not able to be driven?
Is there an easy, inexpensive or less-expensive method for checking
computer codes?
What about OEM repair manual for 95 Ford Windstar?
Anyone know where to acquire one and at what approx. cost?

Thanks so much for any and all help. I hope I can offer some assistance in return some day and gladly will.

What's the matta ???
too much information to be processed,
Not to be a Smart A$$ but sometimes too much
detail can lengthen a story to the point that no
one will read it and perhaps I have done that.
I can shorten my explanation, but obviously
I have done my homework and have done well
to learn something about this system, which BTW,
was only mentioned once in Chiltons and Haynes
and received only three paragraphs at that.

THAT SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wish I had that $18 bucks back.

So tell me peeps, is their anyone out here that knows
FORD and particularly the Windstar and this Rear Air
Suspension System?

Thanks to All and Any Helpers out there.

Problem still exists, I have replaced solenoid valve and shock
boot and rear driver side air suspension still does not pump up.
?????????????
At the rate of depreciation and value of service time-loss I
could have bought a new Piece of Crap.

I hear Nissan makes a nice Quest....................

Alright, enuff jokes, can anybody help me with my problem?

My vehicle problem; not my sanity dilemna..........

Thanks IN Advance!!!

Hi Jamboni
I have read through my OEM manual on the air suspension. I would have guessed the solenoid valve on the suspect boot itself. You have already replaced it I see.
Regarding your sensor question, the system actually takes in information from the door sensors, vehicle speed sensor, and the suspension height sensor and perhaps others.
I am a little confused as you indicate that the driver's side does not inflate and that the right side is fine, yet you also say the system does not work at all. So, does the compressor run ever?I am just wondering whether the problem could actually be on the right side - is the right side not venting properly? The height sensor sends information that both opens and closes the solenoid valve on the boot for inflation via the compressor and deflation via venting back through the system and out at the compressor. I don't see that either side can operate independently so obviously one side or the other is not responding.
I am wondering if you can remove the height sensor and manually manipulate it with the key in run to try and get some reaction - inflation of left or deflation of right. If you do decide to try it, my manual says to raise vehicle- I read this to mean they want the rear wheels dangling- then pop the sensor out from the bottom first then top pulling as near to the connection points as possible. Then perhaps you can compress/extend the sensor to try and force a reaction. Re-install the sensor top first then bottom.

If you do seek professional assistance, there are trouble codes that the system can store that can be read. I have an obdII scanner, but the way I read my manual the air suspension is tested and codes read by a more sophisticated test device. It can send signals to run the compressor,open/close solenoid valves etc. so it seems beyond the DIYer.

One more question - do I read you right that you replaced the actual airspring boot assembly? The book shows a very specific fill procedure when you replace a boot - before any load is applied to it. I am wodering if that procedure was followed.

Please pardon my long entry but I understand your frustration and wanted to pass along some info. Please let us know what happens next.

hey Jamboni

did you solve the problem?