BASICS OF AIR SUSPENSION
MODULE:
The module is the "brains" of the system. It makes commands based on the data from ALL the sensors. (The module hardly ever goes bad on this car)

AIR SPRING SOLENOID:
Each air spring/strut has a electrically operated solenoid. It acts as a "gate" for air. No air goes out or in when the solenoid is not powered or "signaled". All solenoids have a 2 pin connection. Its a simple circuit of "power" and "ground".

SENSORS:
The sensors let the module know how high or how low the car is. The Mark VIII has what is known as a 3 channel system. In other words, there are 2 sensors in front and only one in the back. The one in the back is for both sides as an average. The rear solenoids are wired together, so when one gets signaled to open, the other will too. This is why the Mark VIII will get out of "kilter" when the front is not level.
The air line is held in by way of a collet. To remove the line from the solenoid, push in on the orange plastic ring and pull out on line.
COMPRESSOR/DRYER ASSEMBLY:
(dryer,compressor,vent solenoid)
The compressor supplies air to the air springs/struts. The compressor on the Mark VIII is the biggest and most powerfull in the Lincoln line. It is fused by way of a 50 amp fuse in the engine compartment. Although possible,it is VERY RARE to see this fuse blown. This compressor is so powerfull, it will actually break the piston rod when it gets worn!

COMPRESSOR VENT SOLENOID:
The vent solenoid on the compressor is used as a "vent to atmosphere" solenoid. When the module gives the command to vent the car down, this vent solenoid and whichever solenoid on the strut/spring that the module needs to vent, opens up and vents air out of the system. This vent solenoid is usually one of the first things to go bad on THIS compressor assembly. This is due to excessive moisture in the system that allows the piston in the solenoid to rust and freeze up.

COMPRESSOR RELAY:
Since the compressor draws alot of amps, it is powered by a seperate relay. This relay is a solid state relay and is very tricky to test. NOTE: Just to test, you can swap the anti-lock relay. IT IS THE EXACT SAME RELAY. If the compressor goes bad and in turn draws alot of amps, this relay will usually go bad.

DRYER:
Any air compressor produces condensation, so a dryer is needed to trap the moisture BEFORE it gets to the struts/springs. The theory of the system is to regenerate the dryer by venting the air from the struts/springs BACKWARDS through the dryer,thus blowing the moisture out of the system. Its a good idea, but when you mount the compressor in a moisture ridden area, it overwhelms the system to the point of the dryer being soaked with water most of the time. To make things worse, theres 2 metal plates in the dryer that will rust very badly and actually turn to powder. This powder will clog up the dryer first and then make its way to the vent solenoid itself clog it up also. So now what started out to be a dryer problem, has turned into a compressor and dryer problem.
The dryer is the only part of the compressor dryer assembly that is sold seperately.

MODULE STRATEGY:
After the ignition is turned on, or up to an hour after the last ignition off-doors shut cycle, module takes into consideration the reading of all 3 sensors, and makes an adjustment.

RAISE: If the module thinks the car is too low, it will give the system 90 seconds to accomplish the command. If it doesn’t fulfill the goal set forth by the module, it will assume theres problem, turn on the “check suspension” light and shut the system down.
NOTE: If the ignition is turned off then back(reset) on, the module will give the system another 90 seconds to accomplish the goal.

VENT: If the module thinks the car is too high, it will give the system 45 seconds to vent down. If it doesn’t accomplish that goal, it will assume theres a problem and turn on the “check suspension” light on and shut the system down.
NOTE: Again, if the ignition is turned off then back(reset) on, the module will give the system another 45 seconds to accomplish the goal.

One important note: In order for the vehicle to vent, the module must give power to whatever corner(s) needs an adjustment and at the same time, power up the vent solenoid in the compressor.
If the solenoid in a air spring or air strut opens up, but the vent solenoid in the compressor does not, the only way the vehicle will vent is from leaks around the air lines throughout the system.

Eddie Spinks
www.americanairsuspension.com
Reman or New Compressors,Struts,Parts & Supplies
904-237-0775

Ron

John

'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6 LX

Thanks guys. John, I think the warranty Labor cutting Ford has done over the years has pretty much ran off anyone with any real experience. Seeing how someone at a dealership works for warranty about 70%-80% of the time, it takes its toll. The guys that do stay, are pretty much in the whole when they come into work, so learning something new(air suspension) isn't an option.

Eddie Spinks
www.americanairsuspension.com
Reman or New Compressors,Struts,Parts & Supplies
904-237-0775

According to the Ford techs over at www.flatratetech.com you're absolutely correct on that one!

John

'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6 LX

I always wondered why sometimes 1 rear side would be way low when I parked on a uneven incline on my yard. thanks, that was pretty good information

Ron