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Lincoln Navigator Suspension

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Comments

  • juanin1845juanin1845 Member Posts: 3
    I had the master cylinder replaced 3-times in the past 2-weeks. I still have a spongy brake pedal that sometimes goes all the way to the floor. I was told that 2 of the master cylinders were defective. So is the 3rd one defective also, or is the problem elsewhere?
  • nelson51nelson51 Member Posts: 8
    You said you had the master cylinder replaced three times already. Did the repair shop show you the old one or could they have made an attempt at an in-shop rebuild on your old one? There is nothing wrong with rebuilding the master cylinder in the shop as long as someone can verify the "core" is rebuildable. I've personally installed several master cylinders on my personal vehicles and I've never had one rebuilt unit that was bad. You may have something in the fluid that is ruining the seals.

    Did your repair shop check your entire system for leaks, bleed, flush and install new fluid? Have they checked out your calipers?

    Good Luck, ask lots of questions at the repair shop.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I'd say either way you need a new repair shop. They're either using faulty parts or not diagnosing the problem correctly.
  • juanin1845juanin1845 Member Posts: 3
    After 4th master cylinder was installed (all in about a 2-week period), I get a call from the dealership stating that my Navigator still has a spongy brake. When pressure is applied to the brake pedal aggressively, the car stops just fine. But once stopped, it slowly begins to sink. I agreed to pay to have the booster replaced though they could not guarantee that this would solve the problem. They swore they've checked everything and cannot determine what is causing the spongy brake. If the dealership mechanics can't find the problem, who can I go to?
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Easy - a MORE qualified mechanic. I assume they haven't found any obvious fluid leaks, so my next guess would be air in the brake lines or the master cylinder.
  • iahtraderiahtrader Member Posts: 1
    I have rececently bought a 2004 Navigator. I have begun having problems with the air suspension (especially the front suspension) not airing up when it is cold out (cold is a relative term, as I live in the south, but 30 - 40 degrees is cold here). After a while of running (15 or 20 minutes) it seems to warm the engine compartment up and the front suspension will start working. Until then though, you feel like your in the rodeo . . . very rough ride. I am concerned, as I am planning to travel to the "North" country (missouri and illinois) and I imagine the "cold" weather here is Tx is a heat wave. Any suggestions? I can hear the air compressor pumping when during this time that the front end looks "slammed", but it doesn't work until it seems like it "warms" up. Works normally when the weather is warm.
  • gatorrobgatorrob Member Posts: 3
    I am far from an expert, but here is my less than two cents worth opinion. I have read several owners discuss several different causes of their air ride suspension woes. The one that may fit yours is: check for air leaks around the connections. Since things contract when they are cold and expand when they are warm that could explain why a connection (or connections) is failing in the cold but holding when it’s warm. Again, just a thought since you mentioned that the compressor is coming on whether it’s "slammed" or not.

    My problem with my 03 was different than yours. The compressor got really loud for a little while and then didn't come up. When the front suspension didn't come up I also noticed that I didn't hear the compressor any more. The dealer replaced the compressor and relay for $700, luckily under warranty.

    -gatorrob
  • andydalyandydaly Member Posts: 1
    My 'new' 2004 navigator's front suspension goes flat over night. It fills after about 10 minutes of running the next day. Any ideas ? :cry:
  • lowkey615lowkey615 Member Posts: 2
    1. My air suspension light came on for about two weeks and as I was sitting with the truck idling, I heard a loud clicking sound. I drove about 20 miles and parked it for a couple of days. The next time I tried to drive it, it dropped, (back end sitting on the wheels) bounced and rode very rough. I took it to a repair shop and the mechanic says that he thinks it is the compressor. He says that he can hear the compressor coming on, but the truck is not airing up. He suggests replacing the compressor for $600 and then go from there to see what the real problem is. Any suggestions? (Thinking about pulling from the repair shop and taking to the dealership to put on their machine) either way, I'll probably get ripped, but the dealer has the computer for my truck and repair shop is just guessing.

    2. Any O2 sensor problems out there? Check engine light came on, went to auto shop and they said that my O2 sensors were the cause for the light coming on. Appreciate any advice. Thanks
  • speedygonzalesspeedygonzales Member Posts: 1
    The most common problem with Ford air ride suspension is leaky bags. Anyone should be able to troubleshoot the system by doing 2 things. Disconnect the compressor and check it for air output. If it can be replaced, surely it can be tested.

    The other is using a slight amount of shop air, artificially inflate the system once it's disconnected from the compressor. This can tell you if the system after the compressor is air tight.

    Just a note: Never raise the car off the ground and activate the air ride system.

    As far as your O2s go. They certainly could be bad. Not only length of time but several other things can destroy them. Chemicals of all sorts can wreck them. Something as mundane as the wrong sealer used on an intake can have an effect. Running too rich can do that as well.

    O2's are also considered a "tune up" item and are recommended to be changed every 60K miles or so. But remember to maintain your ignition and fuel system as recommended as well. Doing one without the other is useless.

    Whenever you have a sensor code. It's a good idea to check for at least the presence of voltage and ground when applicable at the sensor. With many feet of wiring and several connectors usually between the sensor and the PCM. There are numerous opportunities to have a failure that is not the fault of the sensor.
  • bobbycarbobbycar Member Posts: 12
    bought my 2004 with 39k. lucky me, it came with an lincoln extended warranty. front end sagged. had air compressor replaced, electronic module, both front springs/suspension. car front still sagged. dealer got on with detroit engineers. no luck. field engineer came out. there were two breaks in a "wiring loome" (yes, with an e). in the dealership for 10 days. they spend 50-60 hours on it.
  • jlryfxrjlryfxr Member Posts: 1
    the compressor can be activated bypassing the sensor to fill the bags... the sensor 1C15CZF3lb-2C013-AA is behind the passenger side below and behind the headlight near the horns and is subject to dissimiler metal corrosion due to the aluminum heat sinc body bolted to steel frame. the part is $119.00 + or - depending on source, clearing the corrosion could solve the problem. selling a part is easier than cleaning so dont expect the option to be offered....ask-ask-ask and you will see it in their their eyes and the way they stumble for an answer.......
  • stix11stix11 Member Posts: 6
    I have a 2000 navigator, I am ridin on 24 inch wheels and bought it used with them on it. When I start the navi I hear the comressor kick on for about 30 seconds or so, and after I park and shut the door after exitiing the navi I hear the air bleed off in the front making a hissing sound. I cant feel the suspension raise or lower nor can I see it. the wheels are not rubbing and it rides fine. Could the owner before possibly have had something done to not allow the suspension to lower because of the 24 inch wheels. Any feedback is welcome.
    Thanks
  • lincoln03lincoln03 Member Posts: 13
    I had the same problem with my 03 Nav. The suspension light came on and the front end dropped like it was on top of the tires. It would normally happen when the temp. dropped below 30 degrees. I took it to the dealership and they told me it was the height sensor. It cost me $460.00 for that. Unfortunately, i drove the truck with the suspension low and that caused the axle boot to rub on some of the suspension parts causing it to tear. I now had to fork over $1,500.00 for the whole job. The sensor took care of the problem.
  • lincoln03lincoln03 Member Posts: 13
    Before you change the compressor have your mechanic check the height sensor. mine went bad in the front and caused the same symptoms. If the compressor is comming on why change it? I got it replaced at the dealership for $460.00 and now it's working fine.
  • ejjones55ejjones55 Member Posts: 10
    OK, I was selling my '02 Navi, I let a guy test drive it...by himself. He returned 20 mins later. I get in it the next day and I noticed it riding weird. Ck Susp light comes on and the rear end won't go up.

    Now, this could be totally coincidence, but now I have a problem, just weird.

    I guess the fuse would be first step,,,anyone know which fuse???

    Relay next step, passenger side under bumper???....How do I tell it's bad????

    Any other ideas????

    Front end still at normal height...
    I don't hear the pump come on when it goes in gear either???
  • ejjones55ejjones55 Member Posts: 10
    I bought an '02 with '22 on it. I took the '22 off and put the stock back on and noticed that the Navi would ride high above the tires and higher in the front then the back. I took it to the dealer and the re-calibrated the height sensors and it was back to normal.

    Previous owner may have had the height sensors adjusted to ride a little higher.
  • ejjones55ejjones55 Member Posts: 10
    I drove it around the block and could hear the pump kick on and off, but the rear end never moved, I looked at what I thought was the right fuse and everything looked OK..????????????
  • jeam72jeam72 Member Posts: 1
    hi. i'm new in this forum i have some problems with my 98navigator air suspension. replaced the air compressor like two years ago, and it seems that i need to replace it. again i was checking the relay located on the frame near the drivers door, and i unplugged and plugged back again and the rear end start to raise up. do you think guys that's the problem or should get a new compressor. any help please.
  • swaunswaun Member Posts: 1
    I'm new to the forum and have read all of the posts to hopefully find an answer to my problem. My truck's air compressor constantly kicks on and off while I'm driving, and now the rear end is really low when I first start up. When I get to where I'm going, I notice that the rear end is up, but it deflates extremely low when the truck if off. Also, it now feels like I'm in a rodeo every time I hit any size bump in the road. I've had the rear solenoid replaced, but no luck. Someone told me to replace the airbags, but before I shell out that money, I want another opinion. Can someone please help me isolate the problem? Thanks for any advice you can provide!
  • damankam786damankam786 Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    I have a 2003 Lincoln Navigator and It has the "Check Suspension light on the dash. I took it to the mechanic and he put it on the module and error code "C1991" came up and it said: "Module Calibration Failed." The mechanic replaced the height sensor and the solenoid was also replaced. The "Check Suspension" still remains on the dash.

    What is this code and how can this problem be fixed?

    My suspension seems to be working because my SUV raises and lowers itself whenever it needs to. The compressor is working.

    Thanks in advance
  • cissicissi Member Posts: 9
    HELP wanted from Sweden. :sick:
    Hello. I absolutely hope for some help. Here it is no one knowing anything about Lincoln Navigator ultimate. I have a 2004 . And now suddenly last day it came a message :
    Check air suspension, and not long after it behaved like a kenguru. And it was absolute down in the front over the wheels. We of course do not drive it now. But we must find out what it is.
    I have red that maybe I have to change a "dryer " it stood at this site :

    "Help your compressor stay dry by replacing your air suspension dryer every 4-5 years. (Note: "OUR" rebuilt compressors come with a dryer already) PLEASE CHOOSE 1 hole dryer) OR 2 hole dryer."

    Is this the case ? I dont think this has been changed before, but is the problem coming so suddenly as this did.
    I had a smal "accident" at home before driving, I backed into a plant pot in plastic, I think it came just under but I cant see anything did happen. But I can see that the button for this air suspesnion is located back.

    And I red also to check the hight sensor, where is this placed and can I check it my self ?

    Then it is also some fuse`s nr 11 and 20 can they be the problem?
    I have noticed that the aircondition has not been on top lately either.

    Well I hope for advices who can tell my garage what to do and what parts to order.
    Since it takes 14 days to order parts from America , I really hope for answers that can be trusted :)

    kind regards
    Cecilie Jansson
  • lincoln03lincoln03 Member Posts: 13
    I had a similar problem on my 03 Nav. Took it to the dealer and they told me it was the height sensor. It cost me $460.00 for them to replace the 1 sensor which included diagnostic and computer calibration after the repair. Before you take it to the dealer (if that is what youre going to do), Put the key in the ignition (on position), hold the brake, shift to drive then back to park. wait about 1 minute for the bags to inflate. get out and look at how the front is sitting. One side might be up while the other side down. That will give you an idea of which side you have the problem in. If you turn the wheels all the way to the left or right you can see the sensors. they are located in the wheel well area, bolted to the frame. Hope the info was helpful.
  • cissicissi Member Posts: 9
    thank you so much, I will defently try this.
    kind regards
    Cecilie Jansson
  • cissicissi Member Posts: 9
    Hi again,
    I tried your advice , but unfortunately it didnt work. Just want to tell how I did so I did it right,. I turned the key to on (I didnt start the engine, only so the lights worked), then kept the brake in and then took it to drive and then back to park. Then I took my foot of the brake pedal. And waited 1 minut. But nothing happened.
    Do you have some other idea?

    Kind regards
    Cecilie Jansson
  • silvernavisilvernavi Member Posts: 21
    Just replaced the air suspension relay after the compresser would not turn on and rear would not lift up. After replaceing the relay the compresser turned on and rear raised. But the rear doesn't look as high as it should be. Also, when the truck is parked for several hours or overnight, the rear lowers. is that normal? How do i know if it is time to replace the compresser? If so where is it and can I replace it myself?
  • letsride191letsride191 Member Posts: 1
    hello I am new to this forum and in dire need of a answer.
    I have a 99 lincoln nav that I can not get power to the air compressor for the air suspension. all the fuse's are good and the relay's , including the one under the pass side of the rad support. the things that are changed out to new are air ride control box that is above the radio, the pass/side relay on the rad support, the pump is new, and the ride height sensor in the rear is new. I just need to get power to the pump in order to find out if anything else is wrong with it . thanks in advance Jay
  • stiritupstiritup Member Posts: 18
    I own a 03 ultimate on 24s. My air ride system is acting wired and so I am looking for help.
    The left rear side doesn't come on at times (it sits and rubs the tire) and truck rides like a rodeo, other times it comes up but the front right and sometimes both front sides don't come up. It seems like depending how the truck feels, either the left rear or the right front or both front don't come up.

    Any insight will be greatly appreciated.
  • justiss1justiss1 Member Posts: 1
    Good Day,

    I have a 01 Navi 2WD and I have a situation with my suspension on the passenger side. My compressor works fine it comes on and off and the driver's side lift no problem, the passenger side no. I bought the shock air bag and had the mechanic replace the old one. Turn the compressor switch on, compressor kick in, however once again only the drivers side went up, the bag was not being filled with air. So I turned the compressor off again and then on again, it click in and started raising the vehicle, but the passenger side with the new bag doesn't fill.

    Further to this the vehicle sensors of course are sending a message that the vehicle is not level so the compressor sends air and as a result the drive side is at the maixmum height and the passenger side living the low life.

    How can this problem be corrected before opting for springs. I like the ride the bags give and this vehicle believe it or not only has 46K(+) miles.

    You assistance is greatly appreciated and I look forward to your response

    Justiss
    Nassau, Bahamas
  • stiritupstiritup Member Posts: 18
    I took my 03 to the dealer and they changed my sensor and adjuster on all sides ($1600) and everything works great.
  • silvernavisilvernavi Member Posts: 21
    Has anyone on this board changed their suspension to coils/springs? If so, what are the differences, if any and how much did the conversion cost? Did you change the front and rear or just the rear?
  • bronconvictbronconvict Member Posts: 12
    I Just Converted my Airbags to a Coilover strut Setup sold at Suncore Industries. The total I payed was $750 shipped from florida to LA county California. I installed the whole setup my self and am beyond happy with it. It truly drives nice and gives me a good piece of mind having a solid setup thats backed with a lifetime guarantee. BTW, I drive a 2003 Navigator on 24"s. I bought the system when I walked out and found my truck squatting on the front tires. I cannot recommend a better use for $750. Im not one to waste money on a $475 sensor or $1000+ diagnostic-lie-and install price. Why? Just find someone who can install for you or do it yourself. Saves money during this economic mess. Good Luck.

    PS. Im selling the good Air Suspension components. My height sensor was the only thing bad. I just need a trusted suspension. email me if you have any other questions.
    williamacosta26@gmail.com
  • silvernavisilvernavi Member Posts: 21
    What are the functions of the height sensors? Can they be changed by myself or does a shop have to do them? Here's my problem: Rear end was sitting low compresser wasn't turning on. Replaced relay everything ok. Rear again sitting low (but not as low as before) replaced rear air springs and the left rear sits lower than the right rear when truck is parked. Left rear air spring begins to deflate right after truck is shut off. Is it normal to have the air springs deflate everytime the truck is shut off?
  • bronconvictbronconvict Member Posts: 12
    If you purchase the height sensor you can certainly replace them yourself. A dealer charges a premium for everything to do with the air suspension. Sadly though, even if you replace the height sensor/s the dealer is typically the only servicer which has the STAR programmers. These programmers are used to set the ride height for the vehicle and there are actual specifications for this.

    As for the air leaking when parked, it is perfectly normal. The navigators air suspension is supposed to drop after a preset time (15-30 seconds), to a height that I believe they call "Trim height". It is also supposed to reinflate the suspension and raise itself when you put your gear selector in the drive position.

    I believe I have the suspension service manual in PDF which helps to trouble shoot. But since it is made for service departments with the right equipment, many of the procedures are not applicable to us without the equipment.

    Email me and I can try and forward it to you.
    williamacosta26@gmail.com
  • silvernavisilvernavi Member Posts: 21
    Thanks for the info. I don't think the manual would be useful for me at this point. Thanks anyway. If the height sensors were bad, what would the suspension do and how do you know when the compressor is going bad?
  • martyg7162martyg7162 Member Posts: 2
    someone asked if you could bypass the pump to lift rear end from what I tried you can't do it maybe others have a way to do it I even opened the air line and used an air compresser to try and fill it but even that didn't work I had a diagnostic check done and found an EAS fault. the air suspention is inop. received a EAS pump relay fault traced fault to a bad relay and corroded connector. so I'll need to change the relay but do i also need to change the connector as well? or can I just clean it up?

    1998 lincoln navigator
    4dr 4wd
    5.4L 330cid V8 FI (L)
  • bronconvictbronconvict Member Posts: 12
    The reason you can't really inflate manually is because there are four separate air spring solenoids on the suspension (one per airbag). These solenoids are activated to open by the suspension control module and essentially let air in or out. This is why when you park and exit the vehicle the Navigator airs-down at different intervals in the front and rear. Each airbag has a solenoid which is there to keep air in or out (depending on the situation). If you try to force air into the airlines you are only going to meet resistance from the closed solenoid.

    When you shut the Airride switch off in the rear of the truck, you still cannot open the solenoids. They are electrically actuated and are set to default to the closed position.

    Here it is straight from the workshop manual:
    The air spring solenoid:
    �� allows air to enter and exit the air spring during leveling operations.
    �� is electrically operated and controlled by the 4WAS module.
    �� is only replaced as a unit (the air spring solenoid is serviced separately from the air spring).

    Back to me:
    Sometimes you will find that your Door Ajar light is messing with air suspension height levels. That's because it is a factor which determines the height.

    Also, if there is a bad connection, a little elbow grease and a wire brush can help.

    Hope this helps.
  • jkingsburyjkingsbury Member Posts: 1
    My 03 2WD Nav goes into "kneel" position (front low) when the ambient temp gets below 65-70 (I live in AZ). It won't go back up until the ambient temp gets back above 70. My local mechanic says his diagnostic computer gets an error code, then the system boots it off before he can get the complete diagnostic. I am hesitant to take it to the local dealer, er- rip off shop. It seems like the dealer will soak me more for the "diagnistic" than the likely repair.
    Anyone familiar with a temperature sensitive issue like this?
    Thanks
  • mjaennettemjaennette Member Posts: 2
    98 Lincoln Navigator replaced rear bags and front shocks replaced compressor and dryer compressor runs and leaks down which seems to be normal when car is shut off and ride heights seem fine when driving but seems to ride rough immediatly after I back out of my driveway compressor kicks on and off after bags and shocks are filled but it will eventually stops and will run after a while which seems normal but after driving for around 30 minutes the check susp light will light. If I start the vehicle in the morning the check susp light will also come on after about 15 minutes with the vehicle just sitting in the driveway. When the light comes on the compressor stops running. Does anyone have any idea on what could fix my problem of the rough ride and check suspension light? Please help me
  • dv1047dv1047 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the EXACT same problem, i live in texas and the temperature gets low at night but hot again during the day, the bags barely inflate if the temp is under or around 65 and the ride is terrible. I recently took it to the shop and they changed my solenoids and one of the bags but it did absolutely nothing.... 930 dollars! It is in the shop again right now and i am waiting on another [non-permissible content removed] excuse to give them money. Have you found anything out? I need help and i think this is a weird problem we are having.
  • mjaennettemjaennette Member Posts: 2
    I dont know if I found the problem yet. I put both solenoids in the rear and replaced a coupler under the hood on the air line that was leaking and the compressor still runs alot more than I think it should. I havent driven it enough to see if the air bag light will come back on but I will let you know what I find out. After changing the things that I did it seem to ride about the same. I have done everything myself so it hasnt cost me near that much. If you want to save money instead of bringing it to the shop get some soapy water (I used dawn dish soap and water in a windex spray bottle) and follow your air lines and spray them and all connections down tp check for leaks. I also would spray were the air line enters the rear air bag because they are also famous for leaking. Other then that for now I dont know what else to tell you. Let me know what you find out and I will most definately do the same.
  • zhemiz2zhemiz2 Member Posts: 3
    check the ball joints, that was on mine, i had to replace the ball joints with the control arms.
  • tgpitch16tgpitch16 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2003 Navigator and both the tire sensor and air suspension lights are on. The Navigator is sitting on 20's and the air suspension seems to be fine (not slammed to the ground and sits up pretty good). Is there anyway to get rid of those warning signals without spending an arm and a leg?
  • lowkey615lowkey615 Member Posts: 2
    Hi, I have a 2003 navigator. I stopped at one of those side of the road tire shops to get my tires rotated. Instead of jacking the truck up from the sides. He jacked it up under the front and the back. now it is leaning to the drivers side. When i do a systems check on the dash it says everything ok. Any ideas what he may have mess up?
  • lincoln03lincoln03 Member Posts: 13
    Did he turn off the suspension system? You need to do this anytime the car is being jacked up. my guess is driver side height sensor.
    If it does not stabalize after a few trips i would have it checked. It could be just having to re-calibrate the system or you might need to replace the height sensor.
    Let us know what the end result was.
  • lincoln03lincoln03 Member Posts: 13
    Can you give us an update on the coilover conversion? Do you have any regrets? Do you feel a difference from the air suspension?
    I just purchased the same kit but have not installed them yet.
    I had problems with my air suspension last year and it cost me about $1,300 to fix. I am starting to get the same symptoms again and am afraid that I will have to fork over another grand or so.
  • navman1navman1 Member Posts: 2
    I see a lot of the same problems on this board without any solutions. My suspension has a mind of it's own. I have a new pump and it works fine. It turns on and off. But the suspension doesn't always go up or down. Anything below 30 degrees and the suspension won't stay up. If the temp is over 50 degrees the suspension will pump up fast but then drops. After about 15 to 30 minutes the suspension pumps back up quickly and works great the rest of the day. In the summer time the suspension pumps up and works perfect in 80 degree plus weather. I've replace the pump and the passenger side front sensor and nothing has helped. The dealer is dumber than a stone. They suggest replacing everything or better yet they will make me a great deal on a new SUV. I'm sure it's as simple as some sensor failing that is affected by cold weather. I know many on this board have had the same issue. What did you do to fix the problem? Please help. Thank you.
  • navman1navman1 Member Posts: 2
    LOL or should I say COL (Crying out loud). Your's sounds nice compared to mine. Dealer says $2,500 on trade in. 65K new and I'm the original owner. Last Ford product I will ever, Ever own! :lemon:
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    There is no relationship between Navigator and Aviator problems and the rest of Ford's lineup. The newer vehicles have great quality - on par with Honda and Toyota and in some cases better. The frustration is understandable (I had an Aviator - replaced it with an Edge), but don't extrapolate the problems to the whole brand.
  • jwallyjwally Member Posts: 71
    where's the switch exactly located?thanks
    "hen you shut the Airride switch off in the rear of the truck, "
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