2004 Expedition Air suspension problems

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Jan 15, 2015 | 03:56 PM

lcohrs

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2004 Expedition Air suspension problems

For the last 2 winters my 04 expeditions rear air suspension will drop to the bottom only when near freezing or below freezing conditions happen (front stays filled). Have search many forums for someone with the same issue. Last winter to get around the problem I let the system fill up to normal running height and then turn the air suspension off. It would hold for weeks with out loosing air. Warmer seasons I leave system on and never have problems or noticed compressor overworking. I figure that it must not be a leak but a part malfunction like a relief valve or something that moisture or icing may cause it to exhaust its air. Is there a separate relief valve for the rear? I hope someone has some pointers for me on where to start looking. Hate to just start changing parts for no reason. This vehicle has 104k miles. Just getting broken as far as I'm concerned.

Jan 15, 2015 | 10:10 PM

alloro

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The problem isn't with the rear dropping because that's what it's supposed to do. The problem is with the front not dropping.

Jan 16, 2015 | 07:43 AM

lcohrs

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What exactly are you saying? The problem maybe in the front? If the fronts hold the position fine, the pump system has been checked a couple of time during the failure of which the rear end drops to bottom. A killer to drive it. The only thing I haven't noticed is any air escaping. Imagine it is somewhere.

Jan 16, 2015 | 09:06 AM

alloro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lcohrs

What exactly are you saying? The problem maybe in the front?

Yes, because the front is supposed to drop and it's not. This gives the appearance of the rear being too low and leads you to believe the problem is with the rear.

Jan 16, 2015 | 09:45 AM

lcohrs

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I may have not explained the problem clear enough. From my understanding of the system when the vehicle is turned off the system sets the suspension in curb position which is slightly lower than when you have started the engine and put in drive. I have measured the finder height at both engine off and normal running height. My problem happens during normal drive mode. The rear lets out all the air! The front doesn't change in height at all. looks like a low rider in the rear. It will jar your teeth trying to drive it down most roads with the suspension not elevated in the rear. This only occurs with near or below freezing conditions. I have to leave the suspension system off during cold weather to make sure that it wont all of the sudden drop to the ground. It will stay at proper running height for weeks like this when I turn the system off. I only will happen in the on position. To put it mildly you can't drive it over a few miles per hour on most of my roads with out being jerked out of your seat on bumps.

Jan 16, 2015 | 10:26 AM

alloro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lcohrs

My problem happens during normal drive mode.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. ..in that case you have a bad rear height sensor.

Since turning off the switch maintains height then there are no leaks, what you have is a control issue, hence the bad rear height sensor.

Jan 16, 2015 | 10:38 AM

lcohrs

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Hope the sensor is easy to locate. I'll check it out. Maybe it is just a corroded connection that just looses it once it gets cold. Thanks for the listening.