06 King Ranch Air Suspension

[R W Carpenter]

So, I have been working out kinks on my 06 Limited recently. I am sure many of you have seen my plethora of posts. to everyone here who has chimed in and helped me with the issues I have been dealing with. I have owned many vehicles over the years and joined forums for them and never gotten this kind of help.

Now that we have gotten most of the kinks worked out with the Limited we are on to the wifes 06 King Ranch. Low and behold there is only one thing with it that we want to deal with. Not a big deal to me but it annoys her to no end.

The stock air suspension has been removed by a previous owner and replaced with coils and shock or struts which gave the truck a bit of a lift. If I were to guess since I haven't measured it is probably riding about 3 or 4 inches higher than stock. She has no problem with that and neither do I. What we do however find quite annoying is the warning on the dash everytime you start the truck about the air suspension being switched off. I found the switch in the back of the truck and tried flipping it to the on position in hopes that the warning would go away but it is replaced by another error message.

My question is this:

Outside of reinstalling the stock air ride suspension which I am sure is quite an expensive venture, is there anyway to make the warning go away. I know I could just disconnect the information center but then I would lose the odometer, trip meter etc. We just want to be able to start the truck and not have the error message pop up. When I drive it I just hit the reset button and clear it but apparently (don't tell her I said this) that it too much trouble / annoying for her to have to do everytime she drives it.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

 

[Flexpedition]

The trucks computer is programmed for air suspension.

You have a couple options: Take it to a Ford dealership and have them remove this feature with their computer. They can do it, but it won't for free. Might try working it in with an oil change or some other service. Otherwise expect an hour or so of labor.

Another option is to find a independent garage who has the needed software and pay them to do it. Unless a Ford specialist, probably better to use a Ford dealer.

If you are a DIY'er: Look thru the various FORSCAN threads on this site and others and see if anyone with an 06 has had any luck in deactivating or removing (software-wise) the air ride module - believe its called 4WAS, for 4 Wheel Air Suspension.

 

[Bain64]

Suncore sells air to strut conversion kits, from another post I read they offer a module (when you buy the kit) that will disable the message for $80. I don't see the module listed for sale on the website, but you could call up and ask. What brand are your struts, and do they sell a conversion kit? Maybe try that company as well.

 

[Bain64]

Monroe air to strut conversion instructions are here http://www.monroe.com/downloads/install-instructions-guides/conversion_kits/FORM01161.pdf

Try the section on Disabling the air suspension controls, let us know how you make out.

 

[R W Carpenter]

I'll give the procedure a shot. Don't know if the solenoid valves are still there or not though. If not, the procedure sounds like it worn't work properly. Have to go out and have a closer look at the truck. I know the air lines are there as I can see them hanging out in space.