Active suspension relay or suspension control module

Tiny
DONALD EDWARD JAMISON JR
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
Reinstalling air ride system in SUV Including a new compressor, rear air springs bags. Rear fill solenoid as well as two new solenoids that were included with the rear air spring bags. I also replaced rear shocks. The previous owner had tried to do a coil conversion but only got as far as replacing the original air bag with coil springs. I of course removed those springs when I installed the airbags. The front air shocks looked okay so I left them in place.
After everything was installed I switch on the air ride switch in the passenger compartment close all the doors and switched on ignition and waited for the compressor to engage. But nothing happened. So I did some research and thought it might the active suspension relay located on passenger wheel well. It looked okay, but for $16.00 at pic a part. I got a used one unplugged the connector from the one I assume is not working and plugged in the used one I just purchased and the compressor came on immediately.
However, this happened without the ignition switch turned on. Although the compressor engaged the rear airbags nor the front airbags filled.

After some research I realize that none of solenoids were getting power. So I ran a line from the battery each solenoid and the rear airbags start to fill. However the only way I could get compressor to shut off was to unplug the relay turning off the switch did nothing. Now the rear airbags sit way too high and I do not know how to deflate them. I thought the height sensors would stop the compressor once it reached programmed drive height but they did not. So what I did was reconnect 12 volts power to all solenoids without plugging the relay back in and the car leveled out. I disconnected the power from all solenoids and the bags and front air shocks are holding, but I want my system to work properly. Do I have a relay issue or suspension control module issue? If it is the SCM where is it located and how do I go about removing it? Testing it? Replacing it?
Please advise? Thank you in advance for your advise, it is really appreciated.
Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 10:25 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Just a quick question first. With the system being disconnected for awhile did it throw a code B2140? I found that when system is disconnected it tends to throw that code which requires the ride height to be reset with a scan tool. I have attached of picture of step-by-step instructions on how to reset. I have also attached a picture of the module location which is behind right side of instrument cluster. Also attached is a link on how to test the relay. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 1:44 AM
Tiny
DONALD EDWARD JAMISON JR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks Danny, for all the great information and to answer your question. No I did not get any fault codes because after my car regained drivable height. I plugged the relay harness back into my old relay because it was still mounted on wheel well wall. I am not sure what type of scanner you are referring to based on the links you provided. I have a KONNWEI CANOBDII scan tool model kw825 and it gives me 0 fault codes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

As long as your scanner can run tests/reset procedures for the Body Control Module you should be able to do the reset guide I attached on last post. Let me know how it goes and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
DONALD EDWARD JAMISON JR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay Danny. I am a bit confused. Understand that when I plug in new relay it comes on right away. Am I then to open car door insert key to ignition turn on then off then to run position? Will this turn off the relay so the car will deflate?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 8:25 AM
Tiny
DONALD EDWARD JAMISON JR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Understand that when I first plugged in new relay it came on but nothing happened until I powered each solenoid via running a positive line to each solenoid positive side. Then the airbags front and rear started to inflate.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

I will look into this further and get back to you. Thanks for being patient.
Danny-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 23rd, 2018 AT 3:11 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links