| The Lincoln Town Car's air suspension uses a small, | | | | rear bumper. If it does not come on, test the switch |
| separate air compressor under the driver's side left | | | | terminals for power, using a circuit tester. If one |
| fender well, with air lines running to the air bags. On the | | | | terminal has power and the other does not, replace |
| top of each air bag is a electrical valve. This is a relief | | | | the switch. If there is power, turn the switch to the off |
| valve that allows air to be exhausted when activated, | | | | position, raise the vehicle and place it on jack stands in |
| and which senses the amount of air pressure within | | | | the rear. Inspect the leveling switch on the axle, making |
| the air bag to keep both sides equal. | | | | sure it is not bent and is connected. Use an ohmmeter |
| These valves are operated via a leveling sensor that | | | | for this test. Pull the electrical connector off the switch. |
| is attached to the body of the car and to the rear axle | | | | Loosen the arm of the switch from the axle. Test the |
| by a movable arm. When the rear of the car drops | | | | switch with the ohmmeter by checking across both |
| due to increased load, the arm is pushed up. When the | | | | terminals while slowly moving the arm. There should be |
| arm is pushed up, it turns on the air compressor and | | | | no continuity with the arm down. As the arm is raised, |
| fills the air bags to level the car. When the load is | | | | there should be continuity. If not, replace the switch. If |
| removed and the arm moves down, indicating that the | | | | there was continuity, connect the arm and the |
| back of the car has risen, the sensor opens the valve | | | | electrical connector. |
| on the air bags and allows air to escape, lowering the | | | | Put a floor jack under the axle and raise the axle to |
| car. | | | | the point where it is just beginning to lift the car off the |
| If the back of the car is low, indicating that the air | | | | jack stand. Turn on the ignition. Turn the air suspension |
| suspension is not working, and the air suspension light is | | | | switch to the "on" position. Use the circuit tester to |
| on, check the fuse first. If the fuse is all right, check the | | | | check for power at the leveling switch. If there is |
| air suspension switch in the trunk and make sure it is | | | | power, turn the air suspension switch to "off" and |
| on. This switch is used when the car is in for service. | | | | lower the car. Access the air compressor in the front, |
| Always turn off the switch before lifting the car, | | | | under the hood, and check the electrical connector for |
| because the sensor will think the car is rising and keep | | | | power. If there is power, check for a good ground. If |
| the air bag valves open, ruining the rear air suspension. | | | | both are good, replace the compressor. If the |
| Turn the ignition key with the engine off. Listen for the | | | | compressor works and the car does not rise in the |
| compressor to come on while pushing down on the | | | | back, replace the air bags. |