Hello All,
I have a 2002 Lincoln Backwood with Air Ride. This truck is based on a ford F150.
I recently noticed that the air ride / compressor has not been working. I had replaced the compressor 6 Months ago.
Upon visual inspection I found the rear ride height sensor was in terrible shape eaten up by salt rust and corrosion. I replaced that sensor and no response from the system.
The fuses all read good. I connected my scanner and it sees the air ride module and reporting no codes. I disconnected the SS Relay (four Wires) and get 12 volts on the
wo heavy wires, when jumped together the compressor comes on. The third wire and the Positive 12 Volts will drive a 12 volt window motor so I think I have good power there.
The fourth wire shows 4.8 volts when the key is on. I believe that is the signal wire commanding the compressor to turn on. At that point I thought the relay was suspect and
replaced it Still nothing. It would seem to me that the compressor should come on.

At this point Im at a loss.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thank you

 

Have you checked to see if there is anything binding on the ride height sensors?

 

Thank you for your response,

Yes that was the reason to investigate the issue. I noticed that the compressor has not been on in a long time and the rear end was down. The rear sensor and linkage was salt eaten and binding. There are no parts available for this vehicle so I purchased an air ride rear sensor for a Lincoln Navigator (3-pin). I cleaned and painted my linkage and attached the new sensor and installed it. At this point Like I mentioned I tested the system. The compressor will not come on. In addition after testing I determined that the Relay was defective I replaced it and still no compressor. The compressor is new maybe 6 months old. I by-passed the relay and tested the compressor it works fine however the bags will not inflate. Im sure Im missing something here.

Relay C1198 Connector

Pin A LB/PK 12 Volts All Times
Pin B GY/RD Compressor Feed (Gnd)
Pin C LG/RD Motor Gnd
Pin D DB/YE Relay Signal from module

 

I'm a bit confused on your last statement. If the compressor works fine bypassed, but it doesn't inflate the airbags, that is a leak issue.

Have you tried manually inflating the airbags using a shop compressor to see if they actually hold air?

 

ManulF150,

No I have not .
If the bags leaked wouldn't the compressor come on when the rear end went down?
Of course thats seems to be the issue the air ride module is nor getting the signal.
Yes the compressor works fine but will not fill the bags. The bags are only 2 years old.
I have replaced the air bags at least 4 times in the past 10 years the rubber just cracks and rots away.
Don't the air solenoids for each air bag need to be activated for air to enter?
How do you do that?
I have a compressor.
In fact I want to insure the system works before I install the new bags I have in stock.

 

Not necessarily. Something electrically is wrong.

You could test the air solenoids status quo with the truck running and trying to add air to them using shop air. If they are accepting air, then you know they are good and it's getting a signal.

Have you continued, and went through the entire system with a meter and do a continuity test or minimally a voltage test? I know you did portion of it as you stated earlier.

FWIW, I always thought having air suspension was a good idea in a truck, but they shouldn't have made it so complicated...

 

I continued working on the Blackwood Yesterday. There are various issues. Anyway after taking apart everything and checking the wiring I found the issue. The connector that plugs into the rear Height sensor was corroded to the point where it was no longer making contact. I discovered that when I back probed the wires. The sensor itself was so corroded that it cracked open and of course was no longer working however the connector did not look bad. Its fixed now and I was adjusting the ride height. So I'm 33 inches from the ground to the front wheel opening and 36 inches in the rear. I also Installed new Monroe HD Shocks front and rear.
MONROE 34656 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Rear; RWD;
MONROE 34655 (Heavy Duty) Gas-Magnum Info
Front; RWD
Nobody has a listing. So I made this selection after a bit of measuring.
Like most Blackwoods it rides like a brick.

 

Very awesome you got it fixed. I had a feeling it was electrical at this point.

Odd that the Check Suspension light didn't illuminate.

You might want to test the bulb in the gauge cluster if it never illuminated. I *think* (don't quote me), but it might illuminate when you turn the key to ON (or KOEO).

 

FYI, the '02 Navigator air bags DO NOT work on the Blackwood! When I get time, I'm going to try to fabricate a new upper mounting plate to see if it will work. It'd be nice if we had a replacement air bag for our trucks (I could not find a stock or aftermarket replacement bag).

 

Yes, That is correct Navigator air bags will not work. The parts are no longer manufactured. I have stocked up on parts for my truck. Your best bet is to find air springs for an F150.
Part # 54F-15-45-R Suncore Repair kit. You will need to modify the top of each air spring in order to make it fit.
The Blackwood Part #57F-15-45 KIT. Suncore.
Contact Suncore and ask if they will make a custom set.
You can also replace with an F150 leaf Spring set deleting your Air spring system.

 

I have 2002 blackwood want to put air ride need help

 

OK.... so what is your concerns?