No air suspension pump

[Donald]

Shortly after I bought the car in 2003 I replaced the stock sound system. In the dash I put a Pioneer head and Pioneer EQ unit and in the trunk a 5 CD changer. The first night drive I noticed the display changing from black on white to white on black on a short interval. Back to the installer and I find out the display is OLED and they can't stay on one image for long. So for 13 years I have hated driving at night. Last Friday I just pulled into an auto sound shop and bought a new system. Pioneer AVH-X2500BT. During the install the tech asked me if I wanted to sell the old system. Asked for $50 and he paid. After a cursory instruction course on the new unit I left and went home. Used the car last night and I noticed the ride was rough. Opened the trunk to check the air suspension switch (on) and saw the CD changer was gone. Which I suppose I should not have been surprised at.

Anyway, the air pump is not running when I turn on the ignition. I have checked the fuses and all seems OK. The 2 wires at the switch measure 5 volts when not connected to the switch. I wonder if that should be 12?

Any ideas where else I can look? I wonder if in removing the CD changer or head units something got disturbed.

[Curless]

Your pump is in the front under the air filter box. Remove the box and check the pump for corrosion around the seams...its very prevalent around here! I've done 3 in the last month.

[fastblackmerc]

You should drill more drainage holes in the pump box. Of you replace the pump and don't make more holes you'll be replacing the pump again.

[Donald]

Quick inspection of the pump looks fine. Would not the pump run even if it leaked air? My problem is the pump does not run.

And the fact that there were people rooting around in my dash and trunk has no bearing on my problem?

[RF Overlord]

The only thing behind the dash that is RAS related is the RAS/VAPS module, which is directly behind the glove box. If anyone was in that area they *could* have done something.

The RAS shutoff switch in the trunk is right in the same area as the CD changer...maybe they accidentally damaged the wiring when removing the changer...?

Looking at the wiring diagram, it took me a minute to realise that what we call the RAS shutoff (the switch in the trunk), Ford calls the "pressure reservoir control switch"... :rolleyes:

[Donald]

The cable has 5 volts on it. The switch tests good. I went back to the installer and we removed the dash again to look for loose cables. Could not find anything. What was strange is when I got home and turned off the car I heard an escape of air from the front left of the car like the system had been pumped up. Do I remember right that when you opened a door the air pump would go on? Or was it only when the engine was running?

The car is going to the dealer next Tuesday. They have the testing computer. :)

[Curless]

Key on pumps runs....

[Richy04]

when you close the drivers door, the system will lower the pressure in the bags upon key off and exit.

[Donald]

I feel stooopid. Getting old and being retired mushes your brain. :stupid:

I got into the car, turned key to Acc and lowered the window. Then I went to On and, sure enough, after a sec or 2 the pump started. Called Ford and cancelled my appointment. :bows:

As Emily Litella said, Never Mind.

[RF Overlord]

So you never had a problem in the first place?

[Donald]

Sorry to say, correct. :banghead: