Hello!

I have a 2000 Explorer Limited. The ARC-light comes on after a few minutes of driving and I donīt hear any sound from the pump. Any ideas where to start troubleshooting?

Thanks a lot!

//Olle

 

Welcome to the forum!

One place to start would be to find a shop that has a professional scan tool that can pull diagnostic codes from the Vehicle Dynamic Suspension system.

One of the "Possible Causes" listed in the factory service manual for an inoperative system is the Brake Pedal Position switch. The BPP switch is a pretty common item to fail (although I'm not sure it was as common in the 2000 model year) but I would expect you to have other symptoms as well, such as not being able to shift out of Park.

Another possible cause is a Door Ajar switch. The door pin switches were also pretty common to fail, along with broken wires in the accordion between the door and the cabin. Your "Door Ajar" light wouldn't happen to be illuminated, would it?

-Rod

 

Hello Rod!

Thank you for answering.

No "Door ajar light" is illuminated.. but iīll definately check on the brakepedal positionswitch (if I can find it)

Iīm not shure what you mean by shift out of park- Iīm having no troubles with the transmission if that is what youīre referring to.

Thanks again!

//Olle

 

There is a shift interlock that, if working properly, will prevent you from shifting out of park unless your foot is on the brake pedal. This same brake pedal switch is the one that appear to tie in to the ARC module, so if you are able to shift out of park and the brake lights work, then this is probably unrelated to the problems you're having with air ride. But, if your brake lights don't work, then we may be on to something.

-Rod

 

Subscribing............Same trouble with the air-ride on my 96 Limited, have not heard the compressor in months, but the diagnostic display reads "Air ride system OK" and no other problems. All fuses and relays check out good.

 

I havenīt noticed any problems with the brakelights- will check tomorrow. I do need to push the brake to shift out of parking.

In another thread about the airride, this guy found rust and dirt in the connections in a fusebox located behind the radio (or did I get that wrong..) Maybe that could be my problem too.

I will check that out too but I donīt have any experience of working with multimeter so I need to learn how to do that to see which relays are working (and hopefully one that isnīt..) Tips, anyone?

By the way- Itīs great to be a member of this forum! Thank you for the warm welcome.

//Olle

 

Well, you can use a multimeter to test a relay out of circuit, sort of. Most of your relays will probably be labeled with terminals numbered 85, 86, 30, 87, and some will also have an 87a terminal. Terminals 85 and 86 are the relay coil. Using a low ohms setting, maybe "200" if it's not autoranging, measure across these two terminals and you should see a reading. If not, the relay coil is likely open and the relay is bad. Using the same setting you can measure between terminals 30 and 87a. You should see a very small reading here. Between 30 and 87 you should have an open circuit and your meter will probably display "OL". When battery voltage is applied across terminals 85 and 86, the relay should click and you now should read a low number between 30 and 87 and an open circuit between 30 and 87a.

For all of these measurements it does not matter which lead from the meter (red or black) you connect to the relay as the measurements are not polarity sensitive.

-Rod

 

For those of us who leave our wives overly complicated, electronics laden, vehicles alone besides oil changes and basic maintenance, where IS the compressor located?

 

Thank you Rod- thatīs great info!

But.. Where do I find these relays, and terminals? I (like Old93Junk, I take it) am a beginner on this

BTW- My rearlights are working and the brake pedal position switch seems ok since I canīt shift from Parking without pressing the brake.

//Olle

 

Pasted below are the steps to remove the compressor, per the Factory Service Manual:

1. Raise and support the vehicle; refer to Section 100-02 .
2. Remove the spare tire.
3. Disconnect the air compressor electrical connector.
4. Disconnect the air line from the drier.
5. Compress the quick connect locking ring and pull out the air line.
6. Remove the air line from the drier.
7. Remove the air compressor assembly from the vehicle.
8. Remove the air compressor bolts.
9. Remove the air compressor assembly.

Installation

NOTE: When installing the air lines make sure the white air line is fully inserted into the fitting for correct installation.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
------------------

The module is located between the Radio/HVAC control of the center console and the glove box.

CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. If exposed to these charges, damage may result.

NOTE: Ride heights must be reset for the air suspension module whenever the air suspension module is replaced.

• Disconnect the battery negative ground cable.
• Remove the center instrument panel finish panel.
• Remove the center instrument panel finish panel screws.
• Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the center panel finish panel.
• Remove the air suspension control module.
• Remove the air suspension control module screws.
• Slide the air suspension control module down and out of the support bracket.
• Disconnect the air suspension control module electrical connectors and remove the air suspension control module.

Installation

NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 mi) or more to relearn the strategy.

NOTE: When installing a new air suspension control module, ride height adjustment must be performed. Ride Height Adjustments

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
----------------

The relay for the air suspension is located in the Auxiliary Relay Box #1 which is located behind the passenger side headlight assembly.

There are various diagrams and better formatting in the service manual than what I can easily accomplish here. If you'd like PDF copies of these sections from the service manual, send me a Private Message with the request AND an e-mail address for you that can accept PDF attachments.

-Rod

 

Thatīs fantastic!

Thank you very much.

//Olle

 

Old93 Junk-

The compressor is to be found to the left (drivers side) in the trunk.

//Olle

 

Hello, back again- three months later. I finally drove to a ford specialist to ask about my airshockproblem. It took him five seconds to locate the problem..! -at the right rear wheel there is a sensor that is attached with a small balljoint and it was loose. He clicked it back in and the compressor responded immediately!

So- check that one first if your airridelight is illuminated.

My luck didnīt last long though.. My engine (SOHC) makes the all too famous dieselsound and the guy said it needs the "big package" (lift the motor out, open it, change the camchaintensioner and maybe the intake gaskets.. and .. who knows..)

Is there anyone who have done this by themself? Is it impossible if you have very limited experience in this sort of work?

//Olle