What does the ride quality switch do on an AWD Explorer?

[rs2k]

What does the ride quality switch do on an AWD Explorer? It doesn't seem to have any noticeable effect on my vehicle.

 

[SoNic67]

Probably because your air shocks (and/or associated air system) are shot and need replacement.
PS: The name of your vehicle is not "Explorer AWD", probably is "Explorer Limited".

 

[rs2k]

Probably because your air shocks (and/or associated air system) are shot and need replacement.
PS: The name of your vehicle is not "Explorer AWD", probably is "Explorer Limited".

I recently replaced all 5 shocks. (Yes, 5). When I take off the ARC sensors and move them by hand the Explorer responds by raising or lower. The air systems seems to be in working order save for the switch. I have no idea what it's supposed to do so I can't diagnose it. There seems to be no mention of the switch in the owner's manual. My explorer is a 1998 Eddie Bauer AWD model with 5.0 and ARC.

If the switch is supposed to change how the electronic valve in the front shocks used to work then the switch no longer has a function since the replacement shocks don't have the electronic valve. I was thinking of modifying the switch by adding a small circuit that would change how the sensors were read to make the explorer raise up an inch or two when switched over to off-road mode.

 

[SoNic67]

I thought you have a stock setup....
Did the old front shocks had an electrical connector that now, with the new shocks you left unplugged?

 

[rs2k]

I'm a bit shocked (pun intended), but the switch all of a sudden started working. When I flip it to off road the vehicle lifts up a good 2 or 3 inches. When I flip it to normal ride it settle back down. This is a VERY cool feature.

I have no idea why it wasn't working yesterday or the day before. Maybe it had to be on a day and driven 100 miles to figure out what its job was. lol.

 

[1998Exp]

Quite possibly, your experiments with moving the sensors caused one (or more) of the shock absorbers to reach the end of travel and 'hang'. This is not a a happy situation, but ultimately they return to function.

In response to a comment from a previous poster, the electrical connector only operates the 'stiffening' function (which is not available on after-market absorbers, and OEMs are long gone). It has nothing to do with ride height.