Ford Expy with air suspension problem. Please help!

[ayakata]

I have a 1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 5.4 liter Triton V-8 with 165,000 miles. It is clean with NO problems of ANY kind since I bought 2 months ago, but two weeks ago the trans went out on me and I have it towed the shop for a new trans however I did not know that the air suspension switch was suspose to be switched off prior to towing or befrore lift up for work so upon getting the truck back I noticed it was very low at the back. The mechanic mentioned that this was due to the air suspension and he said I should turn it off and back on that the car will rise back to normal within few days, however ther the car ride was so bumpy and shaking that I took the truck back to shop the next day. The mechanic told me that there is nothing he can do to the truck and suggested that I should take it to the dealer but I know the dealer will cost me a leg and arm even before taking a look at the problem. I am just curious if any of the expert of this forum has witness anything like this before and kjnow exactly what I need to look for, do or what might be the problem.
Please any help, suggestions, advise will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and God bless you all... Just for future reference, so it is advisable to switch the air suspension off when the truck is getting ready to be lifted right?

[reekor]

Yes, you should switch the air suspension off when the truck is getting ready to be lifted this stops the system from lowering itself. The reason your mechanic told you to go to the dealer is because he does not have the tools to find the problem. You need to find someone with a bi-directional scan tool that will scan ford body systems. Then a self diagnostic routine can be run on the air suspension to find out what went wrong with your system. If your air suspension light is on there may already be a code stored. My advice is to take it to a ford dealer, better to lose an arm and a leg for a good repair then for parts you do not need and maybe no repair at all.

Originally Posted by ayakata

I have a 1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 5.4 liter Triton V-8 with 165,000 miles. It is clean with NO problems of ANY kind since I bought 2 months ago, but two weeks ago the trans went out on me and I have it towed the shop for a new trans however I did not know that the air suspension switch was suspose to be switched off prior to towing or befrore lift up for work so upon getting the truck back I noticed it was very low at the back. The mechanic mentioned that this was due to the air suspension and he said I should turn it off and back on that the car will rise back to normal within few days, however ther the car ride was so bumpy and shaking that I took the truck back to shop the next day. The mechanic told me that there is nothing he can do to the truck and suggested that I should take it to the dealer but I know the dealer will cost me a leg and arm even before taking a look at the problem. I am just curious if any of the expert of this forum has witness anything like this before and kjnow exactly what I need to look for, do or what might be the problem.
Please any help, suggestions, advise will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and God bless you all... Just for future reference, so it is advisable to switch the air suspension off when the truck is getting ready to be lifted right?

[ayakata]

Thank You. I took the truck to the dealer today and they told me that the air suspension pump has shut out and I will need a replacement along with relay and 3 valves, total cost $1500. I hope this is about right? I still do not believe that something as simple as towing a truck or forgetting to simply switch off a pump can end up costing so much damage.
Thanks again.

[kruser]

Originally Posted by ayakata

Thank You. I took the truck to the dealer today and they told me that the air suspension pump has shut out and I will need a replacement along with relay and 3 valves, total cost $1500. I hope this is about right? I still do not believe that something as simple as towing a truck or forgetting to simply switch off a pump can end up costing so much damage.
Thanks again.

Considering the year of the vehicle, I'd say the $1500 is about right.
I have a 98 and had to replace the air pump and did so at dealer cost which I think was around $250.
I never had to replace any valves but I think they are 50 to $100 each.
Relay I would think $30.
I did all my own labor so I only had parts cost.
I feel that you did not screw it up by towing but rather a failure occured and most likely the air pump simply failed due to age.
The part about turning off the switch is most important when you are jacking the vehicle so it does not suddenly fall on you. The sensors that sense vehicle height still work even with the key off and jacking can cause them to decide to adjust the vehicle height.
If they decide the vehicle is too high then boom, your vehicle could suddenly lower itself and crush you should you be working underneath.
I myself worry more about the air bag springs on the rear giving out.
If one of them "pop" while working underneath the vehicle will definately drop regardless if the air suspension switch has been turned off or not!
Anyway, yes it is a good idea to turn it off when being towed but I doubt you screwed anything up by towing without turning it off.
The air compressors are running at a high RPM and without any lubrication.
So after almost 10 years, I would expect a failure!
Mine threw a rod after I opened it up to inspect.
My new one kept running at times so i figured I had a leak.
Sure enough, I had several and most at "Y" fittings along the air lines.
I was able to replace "O" rings at all leaks and now I'm fairly good.
Vehicle seems to list a bit to the left side at times but I'm not sure how to correct that.
I was always told there are three sensors.
One on the front left wheel and one on the rear axle and a third somewhere around the transmission.
I have found the first two but never found one anywhere around the transmission.

Either way, you should be fine if having the dealer do the work!

[reekor]

Alright now that you know whats up with the system and know what you need. Log on to ebay and save some cash. Air pump $125 item#280098828745. item#110014569696 has the "Air Suspension Solenoids" for the rear $35, if you ask they might carry them for the front also.

Originally Posted by ayakata

Thank You. I took the truck to the dealer today and they told me that the air suspension pump has shut out and I will need a replacement along with relay and 3 valves, total cost $1500. I hope this is about right? I still do not believe that something as simple as towing a truck or forgetting to simply switch off a pump can end up costing so much damage.
Thanks again.