View Full Version : Air Suspension System compressor
dflynn5
03-18-2005, 07:25 PM
I've noticed this is coming on every day now when I start the engine. Used to come on very seldom. Could I have a leak and how can verify this?
CrazyCor15
03-18-2005, 08:05 PM
I wanna say that's normal... but wait for other opinions from others...
oh yeah, it does that on mine. I wish it was quieter.
snowbird
03-18-2005, 08:15 PM
I've noticed this is coming on every day now when I start the engine. Used to come on very seldom. Could I have a leak and how can verify this?I would add that if you haven't change your parking habit, meaning, same spot or grade; it could mean something to investigate ...:rolleyes:
Mine do start a bit at home since there's a slight declining in the front of the car where i park but don't do it any other flat parking spot.
Don't ditch the car in a pool to check for bubbles thought ...
wm1964
03-18-2005, 08:16 PM
When you get out of the car and close the door, the air suspension releases some air. You should here a hiss shortly after you close the door and the rear of the car drops about 2 inches. When you start it back up it readjusts itself. Its normal. Well at least that is what mine has done since I drove it off the lot.
CRUZTAKER
03-18-2005, 08:23 PM
Normal...;)
jjaguda
03-18-2005, 08:31 PM
I had the air suspension on a 96 Crown Vic with the Handling Performance Package. It should start when the car is started to raise the rear as air is released upon the last door closing when the car is turned off - and the rear drops.
As the cars ages, the rubber mounts used to quite the vibration deteriorate. That causes the compressor to sound louder.
Where is the compressor in our cars? I assume in the trunk. And I assume behind some panel in the trunk. But can someone be more specific...?
cyclone03
03-19-2005, 03:31 PM
Where is the compressor in our cars? I assume in the trunk. And I assume behind some panel in the trunk. But can someone be more specific...?
Nope 'other end.
Under the Air Filter box.
The thing to watch for is that when you come out in the morning the car hasn't settled at the stern like you have a two ton weight in the trunk.
For a while the compressor will try it's mightest to level the car. It will succeed for a while (week or so) then burn up, blow the fuse and then you will be eligable for the River City Raza low rider club. If your in warranty good, if you have an extended warranty, good. If not, then take $1161.15 with you to the dealer to redeem your repaired car. Experience.
jgc61sr2002
03-19-2005, 05:40 PM
If your in warranty good, if you have an extended warranty, good. If not, then take $1161.15 with you to the dealer to redeem your repaired car. Experience.[/QUOTE]
Ouch :(
rayjay
03-19-2005, 07:18 PM
At that point I'd see if there were conventional springs that would fit. :down:
jgc61sr2002
03-19-2005, 07:21 PM
At that point I'd see if there were conventional springs that would fit. :down:
I believe they can be converted. I has been done on older Contentinals and Town Cars. I don't know the cost.
MENINBLK
03-19-2005, 07:34 PM
I believe they can be converted. I has been done on older Contentinals and Town Cars. I don't know the cost.
You can replace them with the springs used for Taxi Service.
I believe they are Cargo Load springs.
The more you load the trunk , the more weight they will support.
They won't allow the car to sag like others do when you load up the trunk
with stuff.
TheDealer
03-19-2005, 07:47 PM
The thing to watch for is that when you come out in the morning the car hasn't settled at the stern like you have a two ton weight in the trunk.
For a while the compressor will try it's mightest to level the car. It will succeed for a while (week or so) then burn up, blow the fuse and then you will be eligable for the River City Raza low rider club. If your in warranty good, if you have an extended warranty, good. If not, then take $1161.15 with you to the dealer to redeem your repaired car. Experience.
An 03 compressor and dryer assy retails for $183.00 and an 04 for $190.00. The labor is .8 hours to replace the compressor or $76.00 at our dealership. The check out time shouldn't be more than 1 hour or $85.00. How did you come up with $1161.15??? Ray :confused: :confused:
jgc61sr2002
03-19-2005, 08:23 PM
An 03 compressor and dryer assy retails for $183.00 and an 04 for $190.00. The labor is .8 hours to replace the compressor or $76.00 at our dealership. The check out time shouldn't be more than 1 hour or $85.00. How did you come up with $1161.15??? Ray :confused: :confused:
Ray - That sounds a lot better. :D
TheDealer
03-19-2005, 08:26 PM
yeah, I would like to know who told him that price???? This gives dealers a bad name, we have enough problems...
Merc-O-matic
03-19-2005, 10:31 PM
I think he is talking about having the whole "works" being
replaced...meaning the air shocks (air bags) in the rear
need replacement because they won't hold any air, etc.
A friend recently had his Town Car done...cost about $1500.
for the whole shooting match. (Local L-M dealer)
I have over 100K on my Town Car and never had a bit of trouble
with the air suspension. Same with my Grand Marquis......
Gotta Love It!
TheDealer
03-19-2005, 10:35 PM
Not trying to start an arguement here but rear air bags are $116.00 ea. still doesn't ad up.
Merc-O-matic
03-19-2005, 10:55 PM
Ray, You got that right...doesn't add up.
Just hope mine "hang in there", so I don't have
to find out!
As a side note, are there any Oil Catchers still left?
Thanks, AL
TheDealer
03-19-2005, 11:10 PM
Ray, You got that right...doesn't add up.
Just hope mine "hang in there", so I don't have
to find out!
As a side note, are there any Oil Catchers still left?
Thanks, AL
Sorry they are on backorder.
Nope 'other end.
Under the Air Filter box.
Thanks, I would have never guessed it would be in the engine bay.
stock93cv
03-20-2005, 04:22 PM
Timely thread! I was wondering about the air suspension. On my 93 CV, I would hear "hiss" after I had turned off the ignition and left the car, and the car would visibly settle. I don't hear anything from the Beast, and it seems to me that the ride is harsher than what it should be. Could it be that the air suspension is O/S? I checked the switch in the trunk and it's in the "On" position. What would be the height difference at the rear bumper if the suspension is working?
Thanks.
stock (now 03, instead of 93, but still, 'sniff', stock)
An 03 compressor and dryer assy retails for $183.00 and an 04 for $190.00. The labor is .8 hours to replace the compressor or $76.00 at our dealership. The check out time shouldn't be more than 1 hour or $85.00. How did you come up with $1161.15??? Ray :confused: :confused:Sorry to take so long to reply, Had the Grandkids this weekend. I have the receipt here in front of me and it breaks down as follows;
Labor $238.00
fuse 2.45
Comp/dryer - BRKT $296.02
Spring/Solenoid 2ea $418.78
test battery $34.00 (caused by excessive drain)
Replace Btry $79.95
Tax $91.95
Total $1161.15 Harter Lincoln-Mercury LLC, Shreveport, La.
TheDealer
03-20-2005, 07:08 PM
If you compare to the prices i posted, I think you got ripped!!!
If you compare to the prices i posted, I think you got ripped!!!
What's a customer to do? Depend on the integrity of the dealership service department. I brought in a Mercury with the azz-end dragging the pavement and came out with a serviceable car. I can't call them a bunch of no-good price gouging crooks, all I can do is trust them until I find out otherwise.
The parts man showed me the screen on his computer monitor and that's the prices LM has posted. The only thing I had trouble swallowing was the battery replacement. But tests are tests and customers are not allowed to participate in their car's repair. Chaulk it up to cost of ownership.
MENINBLK
03-20-2005, 08:30 PM
What's a customer to do? Depend on the integrity of the dealership service department. I brought in a Mercury with the azz-end dragging the pavement and came out with a serviceable car. I can't call them a bunch of no-good price gouging crooks, all I can do is trust them until I find out otherwise.
The parts man showed me the screen on his computer monitor and that's the prices LM has posted. The only thing I had trouble swallowing was the battery replacement. But tests are tests and customers are not allowed to participate in their car's repair. Chaulk it up to cost of ownership.
Ah, Pat,
You need to look at this in a different light...
Customers should be INVITED to QUESTION any repairs on their vehicle!!
1 - When you authorize work to be done on your vehicle, it is work that is done within a REASONABLE limit.
$1,100 is UNREASONABLE.
2 - You have EVERY right to question a repair, whether it is mechanical, electrical, biological, or inanimate.
If you very own doctor told you you had an incurable ailment,
and suggested some very expensive treatment,
I betcha a month's pay that you would seek a second opinion,
even if you knew the doctor for 20 years.
Treat your CAR the same way...
3 - You found it hard to swallow the cost of a replacement battery ?
That was the CHEAPEST item that was replaced.
The first thing I would do is go back and question the dealership's methods of TROUBLESHOOTING,
and what took them FOUR HOURS to determine that the dragging a$$ of your vehicle
was due to a failed compressor ?
I would think that unless the compressor was working, they wouldn't be able to even troubleshoot a leak
without the compressor working, so if the compressor wasn't working it would have to be the first thing they replaced
and it would have taken them 15 minutes to determine that the pump was at fault
and that includes replacing the FUSE for the pump, and troubleshooting the solenoids and height sensor,
to make sure power was present at the compressor.
If there was any troubleshooting for a LEAK, that would have to have been done OVERNIGHT, AT NO EXPENSE TO YOU.
And the two solenoids that were replaced, if replacing them didn't cure the compressor problem,
then the originals should have been reinstalled, and again, at no cost to you, other then troubleshooting time.
There is a reasonable cost to pay for troubleshooting time, and repair work,
but friviously replacing parts that are not needed and are EXPENSIVE
do not fall under REASONABLE REPAIRS.
You have the right to an estimate BEFORE the repair work is done, and a right to a COST for troubleshooting,
if you feel that the repair is too costly for your budget.
You need to go back and talk to your Service Manager/Dealership Owner and tell them
that you are very disturbed at the cost of this repair and possible
unnecessary parts replacement at an unreasonable cost to you.
Ask them to 'discount' this repair for you, if they intend on keeping you as a future customer,
and ask if they intend to pratice this type of repair method in the future so you can avoid them altogether if so.
I worked at a Buick Dealership for almost 10 years as a Parts Department Manager.
My bosses were the Dealership Owner and the Service Manager.
I can't tell you how many times we would discuss the cost of EXPENSIVE repairs
with customers who were faithful to our dealership, and how we took a reduced margin
on the repair to both keep them happy, and to keep a customer.
It doesn't happen all the time, and your dealership doesn't know how deep your pockets are.
If you let them charge you the normal price for every little thing they do,
accept what they tell you as "THE WORD", and bow down before them,
they will absent mindedly continue to operate in that manner.
But if you 'question' something that doesn't seem quite right, you'd be amazed how many people,
would see things your way, and do what they can to help you out, not only for your benefit,
but for their own benefit as well.
If the dealership you visited, doesn't hold your benefit with the same regard as they hold their own benefit,
its time for you to take your story, and go find a dealership that would be more than happy
to keep you and your vehicle as happy as possible.
Pete;
I am printing out this epistle and pasting it to my forehead, and consulting it whenever I go to the dealer. I didn't think when I took the car in to ask about all those things you mentioned. I was "asking for it" huh.
Thanks good buddy, it won't happen to me again, for sure.
MENINBLK
03-21-2005, 08:17 AM
Pete;
I am printing out this epistle and pasting it to my forehead, and consulting it whenever I go to the dealer. I didn't think when I took the car in to ask about all those things you mentioned. I was "asking for it" huh.
Thanks good buddy, it won't happen to me again, for sure.
Actually you weren't asking for it.
It was handed to you that way, with a bow on top! :)
dflynn5
03-21-2005, 10:19 AM
Ask a simple question and get a wealth of information back. This site is terrific. I told a friend over the weekend that it was the deciding factor in my decision to buy a Marauder this time last year.
One year later, I'm one very happy owner.
MENINBLK
03-21-2005, 10:51 AM
Ask a simple question and get a wealth of information back. This site is terrific. I told a friend over the weekend that it was the deciding factor in my decision to buy a Marauder this time last year.
One year later, I'm one very happy owner.
It would be nice if Logan got a check from Mercury for every post that said that.
ckadiddle
03-22-2005, 09:58 AM
The "boot up" of the air shock system seems to be longer/more noticeable in cool weather, or if the car sits unused for several days. I got used to it and don't notice it any more. At first I thought it was one of the horses under the hood grunting cause I woke him up too early.
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