2000 Expy Air Suspension Just Quit Working

[junkyardmonkey]

My 2000 EB has OEM air suspension. The front air shocks were replaced back in May, for one was leaking badly.

Suddenly, the air suspension quit. First, the back failed to lift. A few days later, neither the front or back would lift. My wife says that she has heard the air compressor start once since that point in time. The Expy has always had some electrical problems.

Fuses are all good. I DO NOT have an electrical diagram. (Do you have one that includes the air suspension?) There are 4 wires in a connector that leads to the air compressor/drier. One has about 11V if the vehicle is on or off, but has minimal volts if the air suspension switch is turned off (like 0.3V). Another has 0.3V all the time. The other two show no voltage. This is using a DVM.

HELP!

1. Do you have an electrical diagram that includes the air suspenstion?
2. How can I test the air compressor? Where should I apply voltage?
3. How can I test the solenoid valve (or do I need to)? Where is it?
4. What else could be the problem? This system is not tied into the computer, right? It is just a basic circuit with each switch doing its own thing, right?

Thank you so much!!

 

[GAINMOB]

i would suggest getting rid of the air and do a conversion...www.strutmasters.com has a great replacement far way cheaper than what you'll pay to get your air fixed.

 

[junkyardmonkey]

Thanks for the tip. At the moment, I am looking at investigating what exactly is wrong. Without knowing what is wrong, it is a bit difficult to determine what is best. A compressor can actually be had for less than the conversion, if that is the culprit, and so could the relay. At 200,000 miles on the Expy, a trip to the junkyard might be best too.

Thanks for the suggestion. At the moment, I am still looking for the following:
HELP!

1. Do you have an electrical diagram that includes the air suspenstion?
2. How can I test the air compressor? Where should I apply voltage?
3. How can I test the solenoid valve (or do I need to)? Where is it?
4. What else could be the problem? This system is not tied into the computer, right? It is just a basic circuit with each switch doing its own thing, right?


Thanks again!!

 

[junkyardmonkey]

Still have a problem. I ran the test included in the attachment, and found the compressor ran. I replaced the relay, and still have the problem that the compressor does not kick on!!

Aaak.

Any ideas? Can anyone tell me exactly when the control board is that is in the dash and show a picture? I assume that one from a Lincoln Navigator is the same, right (I know of one at a nearby junkyard).

THANKS!!

 

[GAINMOB]

good luck...

 

[jcEXPYFan]

You could try out some used components. I had trouble with my compressor and my relay. The relay can be found online for cheap as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Used...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19bf8efbb4

 

[Racenut]

I don't know if the control board is the same on the Navi but I would say its a pretty safe bet. You have almost ruled everything out the only other things in the system are the control board and the ride height sensors.

 

[z168]

looks like I have this problem now

my compressor runs at least 5seconds every 10minutes for the past few days. and today it runs for 10seconds but doesnt lift the rear end. Is it a relay or is it the bags?

on another note, I have a 00 XLT 2WD - do I have bags up front? I thought it was only for the rear

 

[junkyardmonkey]

Helpful items

If you are working on air ride, these few items helped me. This is part 1...

 

[junkyardmonkey]

More helpful items

If you are working on air ride, these few items helped me. This is part 2...

I also have the detailed Ford manual for dash removal, but there is a limit of 100KB per pdf file, so I cannot put it up. Hope this helps someone else.

 

[40eastvp]

Heads up I had the same problem in my 97 expo all 4 shocks were brand new it turned out my compressor died and I found it online cheap but if you replace the compressor replace the dryer at the same time.