Manual Air-ride

[magindat]

Rather than crap-up John's thread, Here's the way to take manual control of the ride height:

Background:

1) Ford air suspension has a solenoid at the bag to prevent air from entering or leaving or swapping from bag to bag without authorization (+12V Trigger)

2) These solenoids must be triggered to both inflate and deflate the bags.

3) The computer for the air suspension is behind the glove box. Just open it, press in on the edges and let it flop down.

4) The wires needed are in the upper black harness.

5) This computer also controls the power steering speed-sensitivity assist.

6) BN/PK = left solenoid, TN/WH = right solenoid (+12)

7) PK = vent or release or 'lower' valve (+12)

8) DB/YE = compressor on or 'up' (-12)

[magindat]

Parts needed:

DPDT switch
3 splice connectors
connectors for your switch
Big honkin 3w or more diode
5 wire colors long enough to reach your power source, ground, harness and whereever you put your switch...

We are switching trigger amperages. No big power needed...

You need a source of 12v switched or constant, your choice.

You need a ground source (easily found behind passenger kick panel)

[magindat]

In my illustration:

White is source ground (Sorry was out of black).

Red is source power

Blue is -12 to the compressor trigger

Purple/White is airbag solenoid trigger

Pink is release valve trigger.

So:
For up, we need +12 to purple/white and -12 to blue
For down, +12 to pink and +12 to purple white

We need to isolate the +12 trigger to pink from the +12 trigger to purple/white when we want 'up' - otherwise the release solenoid will trigger when the compressor triggers and the net result is nada. (Actually the car falls, cuz air releases faster than the compressor puts it in).

[magindat]

This particular switch can be had at any FLAPS. It's an easy switch. One PT is on one side and the other on the other.

Here, -12 triggers are on the left and +12's on the right.

As you can see, when BL (up compressor) gets -12, then purple/white (open solenoids) gets it's +12.

Due to the diode, pink (down) does NOT get triggered while in 'up' mode.

When pink gets it's +12 (down), purple/white gets it's +12.

Note: Mind the silver band on the diode. It tells you which way the power will flow and which way power is blocked.

[magindat]

Cut:

DB/YE, PK, BN/PK, TN/WH

Strip them all.

Twist DB/YE and BN/PK together. Connect to solenoid trigger (for me purple/white).

Connect 'up' to DB/YE (for me, blue)

Connect 'down' (for me, pink)

[magindat]

I had planned on connecting a red/green LED to this for up and down. Time got in the way and now it is what it is.

To do so. Connect the + leg of the diode to power.

Find the correct resistors (Probly 220-330 ohms for most) and connect the green leg through the resistor to the purple/white (in my case) and the red leg to the pink (in my case).

Obviously, wires could be extended to the LED to facilitate mounting the LED and switch wherever you want.

For now, my switch is mounted on the back wall of my glove box and I've made sure it clears all the works when the glove box is opened.

[magindat]

Another pic. Different angle.

[Windsor58]

Interesting. Where did you mount the switch? Does it still auto adjust to the level you set it to, or is it completely manual, now?

[TooManyFords]

Rich, do you have a picture of the wiring diagram for this? I have to be honest, I got confused from the write-up and the pictures exactly how it all hooks up.

Thanks!

John

[Marauder386]

HMMKay ! Will gather parts, and, hopefully, same color-coded wiring from the wiring harness/plug ... gotta get some "Pig-Butt" off the new Nittos ...

[magindat]

For now, my switch is mounted on the back wall of my glove box and I've made sure it clears all the works when the glove box is opened.

Interesting. Where did you mount the switch? Does it still auto adjust to the level you set it to, or is it completely manual, now?

No auto at all. Sensor isn't even installed over the axle.

[magindat]

Rich, do you have a picture of the wiring diagram for this? I have to be honest, I got confused from the write-up and the pictures exactly how it all hooks up.

Thanks!

John

If I remember the symbols right, this should do it...

[TooManyFords]

Thanks Rich. I'll forward to my builder.

Cheers!

John

[magindat]

Thanks Rich. I'll forward to my builder.

Cheers!

John

Just make sure I drew the diode the right direction: It's been a while!!!

[TooManyFords]

If I remember correctly, voltage flows in the direction of the arrow head. And if I really strain my brain, I could probably guess at the colors on a resistor, but let's not test that theory!