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View Full Version : RPM issues & Ride Height


capt512
09-11-2011, 05:58 PM
Have two issues that I am hoping to get some advice on - Car is 2003 300a with around 80K miles.

1. Idle RPM seems low - seems to idle at about 5-600RPM... What is your idle? Seems to be also causing...or a result of a miss. Changed plugs for the second time in less than 3K miles, plugs I pulled seemed fine..though dirtier than I would have figured for less than 3K miles. Made no difference (changed from NGK Iridium to factory motorcraft). Throttle body gasket (from throttle body to intake) was cracked, replaced with factory Ford gasket. If I slowly go through the RPM band from idle to 2000 I can't find the miss anywhere else, just at idle. If I raise the idle to say 750 it is smooth as glass. AC on/off makes no difference. (see picture/video)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/IMAG0472.jpg

2. When I goose the throttle the RPMs rev smoothly, then when coming back down pause at 800ish for a second then go the rest of the way down...does this every time...wierd. (see video)

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/th_VIDEO0035.jpg (http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/?action=view&current=VIDEO0035.mp4)

3. Air suspension doesn't seem to raise as often as it should. Seems to air up every 2-3 days, not daily. Yet appears to need to air up more than that. The air bags don't seem to be leaking excessively (sprayed with soapy water and no bubbles). Tried tapping the air compressor with a screw driver a few times, as well as unplugging/replugging back in, made no difference. When it airs up it seems to air up like it should...just not as often as it should? Hasn't raised up in two days, and is sitting almost an inch lower in rear than front (see picture).

Hard to see it here, but its low in the rear.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/IMAG0469.jpg

Front Tire Gap
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/IMAG0471.jpg

Rear Tire Gap
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/jamnbak2u/IMAG0470.jpg
bolsen
09-11-2011, 06:15 PM
i had my ride height sensor replaced and the shop seems to have not put the rear ride height to where it should be. before it had an aggressive front lean stance. not anymore. i was going to ask someone if they knew how to adjust this. it would help both of us.
Mr. Man
09-11-2011, 06:38 PM
i had my ride height sensor replaced and the shop seems to have not put the rear ride height to where it should be. before it had an aggressive front lean stance. not anymore. i was going to ask someone if they knew how to adjust this. it would help both of us.
Rear ride height adjuster is on the Watt's link PS I believe left is up, right down. Not sure why yours would be intermittent. As for the miss I defer to the engine experts.:)
bolsen
09-11-2011, 06:52 PM
Rear ride height adjuster is on the Watt's link PS I believe left is up, right down. Not sure why yours would be intermittent. As for the miss I defer to the engine experts.:)
no, mine isnt intermittent. it just rides lower than stock.
fastblackmerc
09-11-2011, 07:23 PM
no, mine isnt intermittent. it just rides lower than stock.
The compressor will only fill the bags when they need it.... if they get too low or if you put alot of weight in the trunk.

About your miss... how are the coil connector springs? I'd recommend get GMS coil connectors to replace the weak OEM ones.
capt512
09-11-2011, 08:04 PM
Bolsen - somewhere around here is a picture of the ride sensor and which way to adjust it, etc for height.

When my compressor comes on it airs up like it should with a 3 finger front gap, and 3.5 rear gap... It just doesn't seem to come on enough... letting it get too low in the rear before refilling.

Fastblack - The springs looked decent? Didn't see any tears or cracks in the boots either... Will look into the GMS coil connectors.
RF Overlord
09-11-2011, 08:08 PM
I have the RAS in Phoebe turned off now. It's been that way for over 2 weeks waiting for the new height sensor to arrive, which I just received on Friday. Hasn't lost any height in that time, so if yours loses it in 2-3 days, you must have a leak.

I supposed your height sensor could also be bad. When I install the new one next weekend, I'll see if they're cleanable/repairable.
bolsen
09-11-2011, 08:08 PM
Bolsen - somewhere around here is a picture of the ride sensor and which way to adjust it, etc for height.

When my compressor comes on it airs up like it should with a 3 finger front gap, and 3.5 rear gap... It just doesn't seem to come on enough... letting it get too low in the rear before refilling.

Fastblack - The springs looked decent? Didn't see any tears or cracks in the boots either... Will look into the GMS coil connectors.
take it to a decent shop. your lines could be leaking which will cause you compresser to STB.
RF Overlord
09-11-2011, 08:15 PM
your lines could be leaking which will cause you compresser to STB.The solenoids that allow air to pass to/from the springs are mounted directly on the springs, so a leaking line wouldn't cause him to lose height while sitting.
capt512
09-11-2011, 10:06 PM
Hmm, well I can get 2-3 days on average out of mine before its starts squatting. I soaked the bags top bottom and all around with soapy water thinking I would see a leak if they were leaking, and that the compressor would be trying to air up all the time if they were. Was thinking the compressor was supposed to air every time it starts (my old 03 MM did when I bought it new...so thought that was how it should be).
03sport007
09-11-2011, 11:25 PM
Now you've got me concerned....my pump comes on every morning for about 20 secs. Always thought it was normal.
capt512
09-12-2011, 05:30 AM
03sport - yeah thats what my old 03 did from the day I bought it new off the dealer floor. So I thought that was what it was supposed to do as well.
Phrog_gunner
09-12-2011, 07:12 AM
For your miss, have you cleaned the MAF? Those exact symptoms are usually my "clean my MAF" reminder after oiling my air filter.
capt512
09-12-2011, 07:48 AM
Phrog - "Cleaned" my maf with CRC MAF cleaner less than 3000 miles ago...seems to have made no difference...actually has never made a difference on any of my CVs either. Still using OEM marauder air filters so no extra oil problem either.
Ozark Marauder
09-12-2011, 08:14 AM
Now you've got me concerned....my pump comes on every morning for about 20 secs. Always thought it was normal.

Mine does between 10 and 20 seconds every morning.....thought it was normal too.................
babbage
09-12-2011, 09:07 AM
Clean your IAC - or just purchase a new unit to clean up your idle problem.
capt512
09-12-2011, 09:42 AM
Bought a new IAC less than 3K miles ago and replaced.
mgmsleeper
09-12-2011, 09:49 AM
Now you've got me concerned....my pump comes on every morning for about 20 secs. Always thought it was normal.


Mine does between 10 and 20 seconds every morning.....thought it was normal too.................

mine does it too ...hmmm are we all in need of service or is this "normal"
RF Overlord
09-12-2011, 09:59 AM
That IS normal. The system maintains level by venting air when you exit the vehicle and pumping back up when you enter it again. Phoebe's compressor will come on almost every time I get in it, but I'm a fat bastard. :D
mgmsleeper
09-12-2011, 12:53 PM
That IS normal. The system maintains level by venting air when you exit the vehicle and pumping back up when you enter it again. Phoebe's compressor will come on almost every time I get in it, but I'm a fat bastard. :D

lol ...oook