92 CV's air pump

bluck · #1 07-11-2005, 11:31 PM

My air pump runs when I start the car then all the time thru out driving to a point where it is hard to brake because when it runs the idle jumps up. Can anyone help me to figure out if the pump is bad or what?

ModMech · #2 07-12-2005, 09:37 AM

What air pump?

reekor · #3 07-12-2005, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModMech

What air pump?

Funny I was thinking the same thing, the 91' with a 5.0 has one, but in 92 with the 4.6 no such thing,

jimmytroanoke · #4 07-12-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModMech

What air pump?

maybe he means the AC compressor? That usually only increases idle 200 rpm or so - must have other issues as well

bluck · #5 07-12-2005, 04:06 PM

no it is the air pump. I had someone who works at a dealership look at it real fast and said thats what it was. Its under the air filter and I have air ride because there is a switch for it in the trunk.

fbi-interceptor · #6 07-12-2005, 04:14 PM

he is talking about the air compresser for the air ride leveling system. right?

fbi-interceptor · #7 07-12-2005, 04:16 PM

if there is a leak in the line wont the compressor keep running trying to compensate for the loss of pressure? can u just go to regular shocks then disconnect the air system

jimmytroanoke · #8 07-12-2005, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbi-interceptor

if there is a leak in the line wont the compressor keep running trying to compensate for the loss of pressure? can u just go to regular shocks then disconnect the air system

The air suspension is air springs, not air shocks. To get rid of the air suspension, you can buy a conversion kit with springs and just install the shocks off of a non air suspension car. As to why this makes his car idle high to where he can't stop it, thats another issue. The leak is probably in one of the bags itself, not the lines, but I could be wrong. Does the car sag in the back when you park it for a few hours? If not, the problem might be with the level sensor. In which case with the symptoms you have it would ride "jacked up". Follow this link to a thread with a list of parts suppliers for the air suspension. Also search this forum on "air suspension" to get many threads on this topic.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...air+suspension

reekor · #9 07-13-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluck

My air pump runs when I start the car then all the time thru out driving to a point where it is hard to brake because when it runs the idle jumps up. Can anyone help me to figure out if the pump is bad or what?

Sounds like you have a leak. Jack up the rear of the car and check for cracks on the bottom of the air springs, right where they fold. You won’t see then unless the rear axel is off the ground. Since you can hear you compressor running, I'm guessing it's loud and sounds a bit like a jack hammer, and might also be on its way out. If you go aftermarket or via Ebay you more then likely have about $400US in problems. 2 air springs & compressor with drier. Those compressors tend to burnout fairly fast if running non-stop, when that happens the rear of the car will drop to the ground. Your cheapest bet would be popping a pair of coil spring in there.

To change the air ride to coils. Turn off your air ride (switch in the trunk) and disconnect the two wiring harnesses going to your air ride computer (in the trunk also, on most models it's mounted on the rear seat support on the driver's side and on some models right behind the air ride on/off switch). Simply pull the upper clip off the air springs (a coat hanger will do the trick) and pop the buttom of the air spring off of the axel with a flat screwdriver. remove the lower shock bolts so that the axel can drop a few more inches. Disconnect the air line/ power line connector from the air spring and tie it off to the car so that it does not flap around when driving. Pop in your coil springs (with upper rubber bushings) by hand or with a help of a crowbar ( watch the break lines so the you so not poke a hole in them). jackup the axel and attach the lower shock bolts. If you want to save on cash run to your local bone yard and get some springs there, 1988' to 1999 GM CV springs will fit, if you can find some from an interceptor or a taxi even better (never the car, the better). Dont get suckered into a spring kit, since it's nothing more then two springs and info on how to shut off the air ride system.

bluck · #10 07-13-2005, 03:02 PM

thanks for the info guys. I'm getting ready to go to Idaho on vaction but will be sure to check it out before I go and get an idea of which problem it is.

ModMech · #11 07-14-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluck

no it is the air pump. I had someone who works at a dealership look at it real fast and said thats what it was. Its under the air filter and I have air ride because there is a switch for it in the trunk.

Ahhh, the air pump for the Rear Air suspension (RAS).

Ok, well you can either find the leak and fix it (most likely the air springs leak at this age), or simply replace the air springs with steel ones. Yup, that easy. The rear (steel) springs from Ford are about $25/ea NEW, the only other thing you would need is the rubber isolators, which are also cheap. The air springs are keld in with a clip on the top, you simply pop it off, and then the spring can be removed.

You DO NOT need to change the shocks or anything else, ONLY the springs.

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