2011 Navigator rear end low this morning

[jryan15]

Hi all,

I have a 2011 Navigator L and have now felt the pain of the air suspension system.

For a couple weeks the compressor has been on a lot. Twice I turned off the suspension system and measured the car height before and after sitting over night. I didn't notice any change in the height of all 4 corners.

Yesterday the compressor was on extra long and my wife got the check suspension warning... Also before she made it home while waiting in a parking lot the vehicle was bouncing around weirdly. After getting home and parking for a while, both rear corners are completely sagged. Started the car and put it in gear this morning and the air compressor didn't even kick on.

I was already scheduled to get it into a mechanic for an oil change and to investigate the shocks next week, but now I don't know if it's driveable. Any chance someone knows if this might be related to the connector corrosion issue? I could try and find and clean the connector.

I've dug through the forum reading about conversion kits, but still not sure what to go with. I have a few questions if anyone has time.

1. Can I tell if I have 4 wheel air suspension from the VIN?
2. Any recommendation on a kit that will keep me as close to stock as possible?
3. Does anyone know if the error message fix is in place for a 2011?

 

[Bedrck47]

Go to ford etis and enter your vin number you shoud be able to get a readout of what was on the Navigator when built you can also print it so you have a copy for yourself

 

[jryan15]

Go to ford etis and enter your vin number you shoud be able to get a readout of what was on the Navigator when built you can also print it so you have a copy for yourself

Thanks for that link, good information to have! The only line that seemed relevant was "With Rear Load Levelling Suspension".

Also found this link which implies that all the 2007-2011's have rear air suspension only.

The system uses only two air bags on the rear axle unlike previous models with air bags on all four corners. Also, unlike previous Expedition models the rear suspension is independent.

Looks like I'm rear only. This will help a lot in investigating conversion options. I was confused since Amazon and other sites all seem to show front strut options...

I think tonight I'll try and get the beast in my garage to check out the relay connector, air lines, and the air bags. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears (eyes) .

Thanks

 

[Bedrck47]

If you need a wiring diagram let me know Although I don't have the diagrams for the 2011 model I do have them for the 2010 model. They should be the same

 

[jryan15]

Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know. Hopefully it will have the same 4 wire / relay setup as I saw in video from one of the stickied posts.

I'm also hoping that the relay location didn't change from gen2 to gen3. I've seen videos and pictures of a 2006 showing it in the engine compartment near the right side headlight asm. I haven't found anything on 2007 or newer (3rd gen) trucks though.

 

[Bedrck47]

In the 2010 model the Air Suspension Compressor Relay is located in the Battery Junction Box Check your owners manual

 

[Bedrck47]

Starting with the 2007 model the relay is now in the Battery Junction Box

 

[jryan15]

Thanks Bedrck47!

I pulled the relay and shorted across it and only hear what sounds like the compressor clicking. Seems like it may be locked up. I'm digging into options now.

 

[jryan15]

Should I bite the bullet and go mechanical already? The predominant issues with the system seem to be gen1 and gen2. Doesn't seem like I see as many complaints on gen3 issues online.

 

[Bedrck47]

Can't really give you an opinion on that as I never had an expy with air suspension. From what I read most are glad that they switched.

 

[jryan15]

Ya, that's the impression that I had. After hem hawing around, decided to take a chance and dump some money into this gen3 system first. Got a new air compressor heading my way now.

 

[Bedrck47]

Keep the forum posted

 

[jryan15]

Compressor came in yesterday morning. Got it installed and all appears to be good now. Took forever to re-inflate actually put a tape measure on the wheel well to verify it was moving .

Install wasn't too bad. Took out the right headlight and the bottom 3 screws on the wheel well. This gave access to the 3 big bolts holding the compressor mounting bracket. Took them out and pulled the compressor and bracket together. Installed new pump in the garage and put the assembly back in.

A couple comments on the replacement pump that I bought. The unit did not ship with the yellow air filter so I think the new pump will be susceptible to water/moisture ingress. I filed a 1 star review on amazon.

A couple comments on the symptoms before it failed....

At first I thought, "man the pump is running way more than it used to..." In retrospect, I think that the pump just became much more noisy and noticeable. It is possible that it lost some efficiency and had to run longer than before. I don't think the system was losing air since the rear end never appeared to sink over night. When the pump died the controller vented the system and lowered the rear end though.

Thanks for the help on this forum. If I have any continued problems, I'll post back.

 

[PkgingGuy]

Hello. My 2011 Expy rear air suspension just went down over the course of me walking into Kroger and back out about an hour or so later.
Some video's i've seen do troubleshooting of relay's and such. What kind of troubleshooting did you do before you went for the pump?