Check Air Ride System message

[jasonPA]

I've been getting a message in my "message center" that reads: "Check Air Ride System".
I know a little about the system by reading previous posts on this forum, and I also know that Ford recommends that once one recieves the message, that the system be disabled and brought in to be serviced.
BUT get this: I only get the message upon approximately one in 7 starts!
When I disregard the message and press 'reset', I feel absolutely no difference in my ride.
When I turn the ignition off and then restart, the message doesn't immediately reappear... I don't see it again until six or seven starts later.
Does anyone have any advice?

 

[jasonPA]

P.S. I should've added that the occurances of the message appearing is irregardless of loads - It happens just as frequently with passengers as when I'm driving alone, and I've yet to haul any type of "real" weight in the cargo area.

 

[Heavymentill]

If you have 4x4, switch it to 4x4 low then get out to see if your vehical raises up (key on, doors shut). My 96 ended up having leaky shocks. My symptoms we constantly running compressor after I exited vehical (well atleast thats all I noticed). If your have the shocks with the sensors in them, they are no longer available. One thing you can do to find a leak is get soapy water and follow all the air lines from the compressor up to the front, don't forget the shocks. Hope this is of help.

 

[00XLS]

The reason you only get it once in every 7 starts is because that is the interval when the system is checked for problems, atleast thats how I understand it. I think OBDII works similar as well unless the problem is very evident.

 

[Heavymentill]

This is true, it depends on how far you drive my check air suspension message came on at the same place on the way home from work everyday. It was over a 20 minute drive and would come on just about a mile before I got home.

 

[jasonPA]

1996:

If you have 4x4, switch it to 4x4 low then get out to see if your vehical raises up

I do have a 4x4; in the morning I'll check as you advised.

My symptoms were constantly running compressor after I exited vehicle

I've noticed that just as frequently (every 7 starts) as I get the message (but not necessarily concurrent with the occurance of the message), I too hear the compressor running when I exit the vehicle.

So when you say that these shocks are no longer available, what situation does that leave me in?

 

[Heavymentill]

They are same just minus the sensor. I beleive the sensor worked with the steering wheel sensor and speed sensor along with the leveling sensors to open and close a selinoid in the shock to firm up the shock when needed. Yea I wasn't happy to learn this, they pretty much downgraded the system. :fire:

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

There is a system available that replaces the air ride system with a non-air ride one, and offers you a way to disable the error message as well. Strutmasters.com is the website of the company; they don't have the Explorer system listed on the site, but it is available. Its in the newest catalog we have at work from them. If you're not dead set on keeping that air ride, check them out.

 

[jasonPA]

Well, I spoke with FORD on this today, and needless to say, they highly recommended that I bring my Explorer in to the local dealership for an evaluation / servicing....

 

[Heavymentill]

Thats not gonna be cheep.

 

[jasonPA]

How "not cheep" should I expect?

 

[Heavymentill]

All depends on your situation. My guess would be over 2 grand. (just a guess)

 

[Nippon]

I had the same problem with mine, I took it to the dealer and they replaced the rear shocks as the seals had been blown, £395....the problem still occurred so the had the compressor stripped down and repaired £50...that cured the problem.So maybe not as expensive as you would think.

 

[jasonPA]

Well, I finally took my Explorer to my local dealer's service shop for this "Check Air Ride System" issue.
They spent two hours to diagnose the problem, and claim to have narrowed it down to three diagnoses, but that they would need more time to be sure.
They told me that it is one of these three things or a combination of:

1) It could be a bad Control Module - $370 plus labor
2) It could be a bad compressor - $250 plus labor
3) It could be a bad shock / shocks - $260-$500+ plus labor

Opinions? Advice?

 

[Heavymentill]

1. The control modual is located behind the dash if you pull the radio bezzel you should be able to find it. - Solution get one from a junk yard.
2. Does the compressor run? - check by putting in 4x4 shut the doors then see if the compressor runs. If not. check relay. Also availiable at junk yard.
3.Bad shocks would be my first guess at what is wrong. The old shocks with the selinoid are no longer available but ford does have soe that will work.

If you need some pics of the components and locations I have some on a bare frame. As well as my current vehical. Just pm me.

 

[jasonPA]

Here's where I stand:
I took the truck back home for the weekend since the shop was closed anyways.
When I picked it up, my service slip read like this:

-----------------------------------------------------
On-demand codes -
p1808 (4x4 low malfunction)
c1905 (L/R circuit failure)
c1913 (L/F circuit failure)
Power & ground to shocks - neither within specs.
Circuit 57 ground - good.
Further diagnosis needed to verify malfunction.
Problem is one and/or all of the following:
1) ARC module
2) ARC compressor
3) shocks
Since the ARC compressor also supplies air in the 4x4 low selection, that is the primary suspect, although this is not verified.
------------------------------------------------------

I "finally" tried the test that 1996Limited had suggested of putting the truck into 4x4 low to see if the compressor kicked on, and it did, and the vehicle DID raise up.
Does that rule out a problem with the compressor and/or shocks?
If so, does that make it an indication / sensor problem?
If it is merely an indication issue, that the control module is interperting the sensor data incorrectly, and not a TRUE issue with the air ride system, then I'll just let it be; is that not adviseable?

 

[mockfish]

JasonPA I'm curious what yours turns out to be. Mine seems to have the same problem ("check air ride system") comes on about every 5-6 starts. Besides that, it seems to ride fine. I too own a 97 limited. It can't be a coincidence. Can anyone give him/me some more advice on this? Thanks!

 

[CDW6212R]

Does anyone have a spare rear shock? I may end up forced to buy a new one, or more.
I will be installing a 98 system from scratch. This is just 10% or less of my whole project, so cost is an issue.

I know that one of my rear shocks is useless(dented), and one front shock may not accept the air line. I will be installing the wiring, ARC module, air lines, and compressor next week. I will have to decide about the shocks not long after that. Thanks for any help,
Don

 

[NJCDrexel]

I also have a 97 Limited w/56,000 mi. I noticed that the compressor was on alot. I have an extended warranty and the dealer said that I had blown both rear shocks and it was not covered by warranty....$600 to fix. My solution: took off all 4 air shocks and replaced them with Edelbrock IAS. Problem solved. Cheap solution if you do not mind losing air ride system.

 

[CDW6212R]

FYI for anyone else that reads this thread: I have a trusted Ford mechanic who told me that the ARC shocks can be blown by lifting the vehicle by the frame, as in a car lift.

The weight of the rear suspension hangs on the shocks, and damages the seals. This is not so likely to happen with the front shocks. Rear shocks which leak internally is very common, and this may be why.

Don't let anyone lift the rear of an ARC Explorer off of the ground without supporting the differential, or unbolting the shocks. Good luck,
Don