Problem with Air Ride on 92 town car

[jonathannah]

I kepe blowing the compressor fuse. If I replace the fuse, then the ext time I start the car, the compressor will run and lift the car to the max, then the comp bogs down and blows the fuse. I note that the car will stay lifted for a day or two after the fuse blows, but slowly drops.

Any thoughts?

David

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by jonathannah

I kepe blowing the compressor fuse. If I replace the fuse, then the ext time I start the car, the compressor will run and lift the car to the max, then the comp bogs down and blows the fuse. I note that the car will stay lifted for a day or two after the fuse blows, but slowly drops.

Any thoughts?

David

Sounds like the compressor is on it's last legs. If it starts drawing enough amps to blow a fuse (the correct rated fuse) the motor has armature shorts.

Reading between your lines:
You say it lifts the car to the max then bogs down and blows the fuse.

Making an obvious conclusion here, it sounds like you may be saying, the air ride system is over inflating the airbags until the fuse blows. If that's the case, the ride height sensor should be stopping the compressor way before the ass of the car points to the moon.

Any further comments?

[jonathannah]

Originally Posted by Towncar

Sounds like the compressor is on it's last legs. If it starts drawing enough amps to blow a fuse (the correct rated fuse) the motor has armature shorts.

Reading between your lines:
You say it lifts the car to the max then bogs down and blows the fuse.

Making an obvious conclusion here, it sounds like you may be saying, the air ride system is over inflating the airbags until the fuse blows. If that's the case, the ride height sensor should be stopping the compressor way before the ass of the car points to the moon.

Any further comments?

Well, we can conclude that the bags are holding air as the suspension is reasonable for a couple of days after the fuse blows (30A fuse per the requirements). I was wondering if there is a presure cut-off switch that might not be working, as the compressor seemed to work fine until the system was fully inflated. I'd be OK to buy a new compressor if I knew that was the problem. I think that the system did fully inflate as I went from dragging the ground to riding high and stiff.

Thx,
david

[Towncar]

..I was wondering if there is a pressure cut-off switch that might not be working, as the compressor seemed to work fine until the system was fully inflated.

Well, I'm no expert, and even further out on the 1992, but from my experience a properly working system wont run the compressor for more than a minute or so. There's some time limit in the system that wont allow the compressor to run continuously anyway.

What kills these compressors is a leaking system where the compressor has to continually cycle on/off to keep the pressure up.

With age, the compressor normally wears out regardless.

..I think that the system did fully inflate as I went from dragging the ground to riding high and stiff.

Now this puzzles me!!
* The system should never go that low if the compressor power switch is left on.
* Riding High and Stiff? What's that? It should be riding LEVEL and certainly not stiff.

In my mind, high and stiff sounds like a ridiculously over inflated system.

My thoughts on this are pretty much exhausted, I seem to be repeating myself...

You can get the operational specs. including compressor run times, ride height adjustments, valve locations, and troubleshooting guide from the Ford Factory Service Manuals.

If you don't already own a set, and you're interested, you can get the official CD for 1992 in either Nero or ISO format at http://www.fordcds.com/ for free. If you like what you get you can leave a donation there too.

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by jonathannah

Well, we can conclude that the bags are holding air as the suspension is reasonable for a couple of days after the fuse blows (30A fuse per the requirements). I was wondering if there is a presure cut-off switch that might not be working, as the compressor seemed to work fine until the system was fully inflated. I'd be OK to buy a new compressor if I knew that was the problem. I think that the system did fully inflate as I went from dragging the ground to riding high and stiff.

Thx,
david

do this, if you still have the old compressor (and if it still works), put a new fuse in and allow it to inflate the air bags as much as it can or until you think the car is high enough, then quickly go into the trunk and turn the entire suspension system to OFF. with this, the compressor will never run again and the bags will stay inflated with the amount of air that was allowed in during the timeframe. if the rear still continues to lower down even with the air ride OFF, then there is definitly a leak somewhere.

[jonathannah]

Originally Posted by sreilly77

do this, if you still have the old compressor (and if it still works), put a new fuse in and allow it to inflate the air bags as much as it can or until you think the car is high enough, then quickly go into the trunk and turn the entire suspension system to OFF. with this, the compressor will never run again and the bags will stay inflated with the amount of air that was allowed in during the timeframe. if the rear still continues to lower down even with the air ride OFF, then there is definitly a leak somewhere.

I will use the trunk switch to turn off the system before the fuse blows. After the compressor is turned off (or fuse is blown), I get a couple of days of reasonable riding before hte air leaks out. While there is obviously a leak, I think that it is not significant. I'd buy a new compressor, butI am concerned that the problem will still exist, and I don;t want to waste the money.

[andygarr1]

Originally Posted by jonathannah

I will use the trunk switch to turn off the system before the fuse blows. After the compressor is turned off (or fuse is blown), I get a couple of days of reasonable riding before hte air leaks out. While there is obviously a leak, I think that it is not significant. I'd buy a new compressor, butI am concerned that the problem will still exist, and I don;t want to waste the money.

I too had the same EXACT problem recently...brought 1992 Town Car to mechanic...replaced the fuse, car lifted to max & lasted a few days...now riding extremely low once again....

Not sure by your answer, but did the turning off of the switch work?

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by andygarr1

I too had the same EXACT problem recently...brought 1992 Town Car to mechanic...replaced the fuse, car lifted to max & lasted a few days...now riding extremely low once again....

Not sure by your answer, but did the turning off of the switch work?

the air compressor is on its last leg. that is why the fuse keeps getting blown. replace the fuse again and let the rear pick itself back up again and then go to the trunk and turn the air suspension to OFF. the light will come on but ignore it. it is just on because the air suspension system has been shut down. then, ride it for about two days. if the rear lowers itself back down again, then there is a leak in the system, probably in one of the air bags in the rear, or even both. if the car does not lower itself, then you just need to replace the compressor. if it does, you will need a compressor and new air bags in the rear. hope this helps.

[andygarr1]

Originally Posted by sreilly77

the air compressor is on its last leg. that is why the fuse keeps getting blown. replace the fuse again and let the rear pick itself back up again and then go to the trunk and turn the air suspension to OFF. the light will come on but ignore it. it is just on because the air suspension system has been shut down. then, ride it for about two days. if the rear lowers itself back down again, then there is a leak in the system, probably in one of the air bags in the rear, or even both. if the car does not lower itself, then you just need to replace the compressor. if it does, you will need a compressor and new air bags in the rear. hope this helps.

Very helpful...will give it a try this weekend & hopefully will be posting success a few days later. Thanx for getting back.