Need Air Suspension help
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Need Air Suspension help
Hello, I have an 03 Navigator 4 wheel. I noticed the driver front tire would inflate all the way up, but only after driving for a little bit, and it would eventually reset itelf. After a couple of days, the navigator just dropped all the way down. Now the compressor doesn't even come on. I bypassed relay and got the compressor to kick over, so I figured it was relay. Replaced with new one, and it did nothing. I was told that the bad height sensor may be keeping the compressor from coming on, so I replaced that, and still no difference. The compressor won't come on regular, but I can still stick the bypass wire and have it kick over. What else could it be keeping the compressor from coming on like it should. Oh also the check suspension light is on.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Central PA
I had a similar problem and I also jumped the relay to make the compressor work. After replacing the rear sensor, then the relay, then the compressor still didn't work. I gave up and took it to to 2 different shops, but they couldn't read the codes. Finally I went to a Ford dealer. After about an hour they found a bad wiring harness connector. They replaced it and it worked fine. I think I spent about $200 there. I spent about $800 on all the other stuff that was not necessary.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
If I replace the height level sensor, does the Vehicle Dynamic Module (VDM) needs to be reprogrammed and the Air Suspension Module (ASM) will need a Ride Height Calibration?
Also is it possible that my compressor is bad and I can still power up the compressor by doing the jumper wire. But the compressor is drawing to much power so control unit might not engage it when the relay is in?
Also is it possible that my compressor is bad and I can still power up the compressor by doing the jumper wire. But the compressor is drawing to much power so control unit might not engage it when the relay is in?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City
On my 05 Limited with air ride, I had the left front go flat. I limped it home and started to troubleshoot. I found the ride height sensor is your basic 3 wire sensor. 5 volt input, ground and signal return. In my case the height sensor was bad and would not go over 2 volts on the signal wire. If you use a DVOM you can test the sensor. Just be careful on where you tap into the wire as you don't want to have a spot for water to start corroding the wires.
Also it seemed the computer shuts off the compressor if their is a fault. I was able to air the system up by jumping the relay for the compressor and then applying current to open the air valve on the shock. It will seem the compressor or relay is bad, but it's just not getting a run signal. Good luck, and these air ride parts are high $ so work with your parts guy.
Also it seemed the computer shuts off the compressor if their is a fault. I was able to air the system up by jumping the relay for the compressor and then applying current to open the air valve on the shock. It will seem the compressor or relay is bad, but it's just not getting a run signal. Good luck, and these air ride parts are high $ so work with your parts guy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
just wanted to add instead of tapping into the wire use a paperclip and back prob the connector ( just slide it down the wire into the back side of the connector)
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City
+1 to this. I should have been more clear as in don't pierce the wire
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Well I have already replaced the front driver height sensor, because that wheel wouldn't come down with the other ones, it was always way up in there air. My issue now is that all my airbags are flat. I was able to jump the compressor with a wire, but it won't air up my bags at all. How long does it take from jumping it before your bags fill? I have replaced the 1 ride sensor, and the relay, but with the nw relay in there, the compressor won't come on. I had someone tell me that if I had replaced any sensor then I would need to get it recalibrated, is this true?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
yes but the sensor doesn't keep the pump off just makes it go to a different height ( i think when I get a chance I'll check the manual), have you checked the switch?
When the air suspension service switch is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is in the RUN position, a "CHECK SUSP" will appear in the RH corner of the instrument cluster.
When the air suspension service switch is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is in the RUN position, a "CHECK SUSP" will appear in the RH corner of the instrument cluster.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
here is some other stuff for you to look at
Central junction box (CJB) fuses 11 (10) (later built vehicles), 20 (30A), fuse 27 (5A), and fuse 111 (50A)
Loose, corroded, or disconnected connectors
Air suspension service switch is in the OFF position
Damaged solenoid valve(s)/height sensor(s)
Central junction box (CJB) fuses 11 (10) (later built vehicles), 20 (30A), fuse 27 (5A), and fuse 111 (50A)
Loose, corroded, or disconnected connectors
Air suspension service switch is in the OFF position
Damaged solenoid valve(s)/height sensor(s)
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Well, I have something telling the system not to work. I am not for sure on what it could be. My wife said the compressor was making a loud weird noise on the way home one night. but the suspension was up when she parked it. Then the next morning when she came out it was all the way down and the compressor never kicked on. I have checked all of the fuses, and they are all good. The switch is on, because it tells me that the switch is off if I switch it off. But my thought was that maybe the sensor went bad, therefore throwing the ck suspension light and shutting the compressor off, and once I replaced sensor I haven't had the dealership recalibrate it to turn off the light. Can that be true? Or could it be that the compressor is bad and not letting the system air up,therefore throwing the light?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
Well, I have something telling the system not to work. I am not for sure on what it could be. My wife said the compressor was making a loud weird noise on the way home one night. but the suspension was up when she parked it. Then the next morning when she came out it was all the way down and the compressor never kicked on. I have checked all of the fuses, and they are all good. The switch is on, because it tells me that the switch is off if I switch it off. But my thought was that maybe the sensor went bad, therefore throwing the ck suspension light and shutting the compressor off, and once I replaced sensor I haven't had the dealership recalibrate it to turn off the light. Can that be true? Or could it be that the compressor is bad and not letting the system air up,therefore throwing the light?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Well I was testing to see if the relay was bad. My relay has 4 tabs, and I was jumping from the 2 small tabs, if I remember correctly. It doesn't sound the best, I thought I was only suppose to leave it there for like 30 secs. I am pretty sure that if I leave it there longer it will blow a fuse. But I guess I can try.