2003 lincoln navigator air suspension

[Jimmy]

my passenger side front will not rise when the truck is started. The top of the wheel well is rubbing the tire. i'm wondering if anyone has had this problem before.

[ROGER]

Had a similar problem several months back, took it in and they repaired, told me it was a sensor.
Today it started again only this time on the drivers side.

[Patrick]

Thats funny, but not really. About 3 months ago my passenger side sensor went, now they say my drivers side sensor and compressor went...$950!!!

[Fred]

Jimmy wrote:

my passenger side front will not rise when the truck is started. The top of the wheel well is rubbing the tire. i'm wondering if anyone has had this problem before.

Yes, except my 2003 Nav is lowered on both the rear and front. I am wondering if there is a air valve that you are suppose to pump air into. I do hear the air sus. engine initiate, but I still see "CHECK SUSPENION" warning and my truck is still lop sided.

[Perkins]

I have an 2003 Navigator, and yes the front end wouldn't rise up, I was told by the dealership that the right side shock and air spring need replacing at the tone of 1750.00. well I replace the air spring myself for 189.00(new), shock cover by warr., front end still wouldn't rise, the check suspenion warning still came on, went it was all said and done, the problem was the control module which is up above the brake padle, the driverside height sensor was bad, and last the mount that goes over the air spring has a rubber seal that the shock seat through it which started to leak air which started the whole problem in the first place. My Nav. rides like it new once again, just keep in mind if you replace the control module the dealer have to reprogram it using information from the old control module and insure they reset the proper ride height on your Nav.

[Adrienne]

Our 03 Navigator is having the same problem. the suspension was fully repleaced 2 years ago but every time it gets too cold outside the passenger front side will not rise up. please email me [e-mail] We are in similar climates. Anything 30 or below it starts acting up.

Perkins wrote:

I have an 2003 Navigator, and yes the front end wouldn't rise up, I was told by the dealership that the right side shock and air spring need replacing at the tone of 1750.00. well I replace the air spring myself for 189.00(new), shock cover by warr., front end still wouldn't rise, the check suspenion warning still came on, went it was all said and done, the problem was the control module which is up above the brake padle, the driverside height sensor was bad, and last the mount that goes over the air spring has a rubber seal that the shock seat through it which started to leak air which started the whole problem in the first place. My Nav. rides like it new once again, just keep in mind if you replace the control module the dealer have to reprogram it using information from the old control module and insure they reset the proper ride height on your Nav.

[LINKS]

I have a 2003 lincoln navigator as well and i had the same problem that the front right wouldnt lift if it was cold outside. you said that you replaced it two years ago and you are still havint the same problem, that means that the seals on the airbags are broken. it happens... if you want i sell the full assemblies and they are properly sealed... you could email me at [e-mail] if you have any questions...

[Julius]

Where is the air suspension relay located on a 2003 Lincoln Navigator ?

[lonewolf]

is right in the passenger front bumber by the horn. I found my problem is call a height sensor. This sensor is the one that controls the ups/down on vehicle. Each tire has one which each is different part number. Mine was the passenger front height sensor. when it gets cold it malfunctions do to tear and wear. this sensors have brackets. moisture and water could damage them in time. I took mine out by removing the clip from the top arm bar, and the two nuts one had a bolt nut from the bracket base in the body frame. This had a 3 wire for reference. I played with the sensor, since they don't move all the way up and down by themselves. Manually, I moved them and even switch them in the front tires since they are not the same. Will not work. This is how i found that each works independent and found that have different part numbers. no programing need it since they are sensors. Replace back and try it. It might work and i know that this was the problem since i had no leaks. I found that by hand you can make the leval go up and down after replacing them back. Tip ignition on and take the negative wire off and back on. This will reset the motor and not sound the alarm on mine. It worked and is fixed temporarely. I feel that will fail but i save 100's. From just learning this way, and might run test for a while prior to buying one. Cost about 140 to 150 bucks each and is dealer item. One thing if you see in your dash panel something related to code. Most likely is a air suspension module. Which is in the top of the driver steering column. Might need service and reprogram on a new module from old. All this learned from other post and working on my 2003 4 wheel drive 5.4L navigator. Total time was 8 hours. Good luck had to post my help too. Experience on your own and run your own risk. I did and saved about 4,500 of rip off techs at dealers from other post. $0 dollars expend so far. From California for the people cya :D

[lonewolf]

One thing, It was hard finding support from dealers.No diagrams. No info on the service manuals. Even techs don't now to much since they just replace all parts at our cost. One did not want to give me part numbers and is local. Out of all forums. This one is the best and free for the public to come without a cost or immediate registration for post. The provider/administrator. Should get a shout out for having this for free for all. I have two servers, that i do the same in online games currentely gibslonewolfxXx at call of duty united offensive.
So that is why i took my time to give back and type all this for us all. Hopefully will save time and money and dumping money on parts that are not need to be replace. My email is [e-mail]
All other forums want registration or more money on our problems. Simply to all those post to help other. Should be like this one. Thanks to all of those that help others, and my 2 cents and post is given cya on the next issue someday. Ohh i'm not a mechanic yet i can fix it better than one on occations of course. Posting done!! cya lol :D.

[lonewolf]

Update after testing the height sensor. Still holding and working. I decided to park my vehicle in the cold, since i park it in the garage. What you know, down again on the floor. Found that i had a leak in cold tempetatures on the top by the solenoid. Dealer does have the o-rings for them 22 dollars. Or you can find them in the net for 10 bucks shipping. Just get it and replace it. seals expand and contract or dialate on warm and cold tempetatures. Tear and wear after 67k miles :D. Starting now...........will follow up when done.

[Lonewolf]

question was if there was other sensors or can i do it myself.

I believe you can to a point such as programming is the limit. They will have to do that is all about calibration if your module went bad. Sensor in the front. Uhmm for my understanding there is only the relay for the pump. Sensors so far are four one for each suspension and is call height sensors. Like my post is working just needs some attention. I believe in my case is weather like others is o rings on my air bag why the passenger front and not others idk. Maybe torque on the road puts stress on that wheel. O rings two on the top and two in the bottom. I have not changed them yet. I saw the solenoid and i changed the O rings first before i touch the bag. so far is been two days in the cold weather first day it was on the ground. The second day it held, but is warmer. I think for sure i will have to open the bag. the solenoid consist of 2 top seals to prevent air out. and a bottom seal for securing the unit tied. Mines were not round anymore. You can find a kit to replace those solenoid with any kit of O rings and change in it. Dealer sales the solenoid with seals only. So far is holding. Is 45 degrees at night and testing. If your vehicle is as mine then i don't think you have another sensor besides those in the wheels. Uhmm the module in the steering do not mess with it if you do not have a console issue or a code issue. For my understanding they have a way of testing this and have separate codes than the vehicles OBDII. If you mess with it becareful not to damage it. It might be costly as other units. Hope this help good luck.......... Lonewolf

[Andrea]

This is all very interesting to me since 6 months ago I had the left front height sensor replace (also a 2003 Navigator) and today my entire back end was way up in the air....dealership says it's the sensor....$976. Am I going to continue having this issue? Anyone have any advise? Email me at [e-mail]. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

[Work2gether]

How about my husband and I own a 2003 Navigator and in Sept. of 2008 we paid almost $900 for a right motor that went out. In early November of 2008 the truck wouldn't raise so we took it back and now it's a right sensor? We took the truck elsewhere and found out that 2 air valves need to be replaced because they are leaking and something connected to the valves is what tells the computer to make the truck RISE. They said it also was a faulty right sensor that worked when it wanted to. Well, hope for the best for us because I'm tired of this.$900 worth of work that didn't even last 2 good months! We ought to look and see if there's been a recall on this problem.. Ridiculous.

[Lonewolf]

Well update on my problem. I think i fix it partially. My issues is that my navigator has 22' rims. This cause problems to my air suspension/strut shocks/ whatever they call it. by the leakage of air. It damage the airsuspension and it leakeeeed part of it inside. In which damage the seals of the bag and most likely the airbag too. Guys search ebay. Found cheaper parts. Well an airbag with suspension is worth $250 at parts store and ebay. I don't know about a solenoid if include it. If you have a problem like this. I would suggest go this route.
I did different. I recondition mine. I just replace the seals, and the suspension not the bag.
Wallllla it worked. Except, I think there is another sensor or a tempetature sensor somewhere for the front airbags onlyyyyy. Or, is just that my bag which i did not replace. The bag could be lofted or not sealent properly in cold weather. In warm weather. Is working just fine. To change the air suspension assembly founded easy to do. 3 bolts(15 socket and wrench) at top and a big bolt in the bottom (30 socket and a crecent wrench or 30 crown wrench). Then you have 2 nuts 11/16 if i recall. You undo the the steering power column and the top arm bar. this will leave the tension bar holding the lower bar arm and wheel assembly from falling. I used a second floor jack to suppor it :D. Make sure you disconnect the negative on battery prior to any work, or follow instructions on other posts. Do this at your own risk. It was that easy for me to replace with some strength on those bolts and nuts and proper knowledge in getting culture how mechanic parts work. Well i learned a lot and i see if you have a suspension leak replace all. I think for the price of 250. It will be good. I spent 200 not knowing that the bag will not hold on recondioning, and still has a smalll leak but does not leak in warm weather. This could be cause of another sensor for tempetature maybe a trim sensor that i don't know about. Or it just the bag is tear and wear. So for now i'm happy that i got it fixed and inflates in seconds, and i'm driving it in warm and cold. It could be also that is suppose to deflate, as if i recall it was doing that when i bought it. In warm weather does not loose any air. In cold weather relay deflates it or leaks////Don't know yet, but spring is around the corner:D/// Maybe driving the vehicle for a while might overheat sealss and seal better. Or just suppose to do that in cold. Someone finds out on another sensor please post here. Time will tell. I'll be around.:D .........Lonewolf

[Lonewolf]

wow new computer router shows kingsburg when i'm in fresno........computerss??? heheh.

////////How about my husband and I own a 2003 Navigator and in Sept. of 2008 we paid almost $900 for a ..........We ought to look and see if there's been a recall on this problem.. Ridiculous.//////

I think what you had was a air bag leak. When unattended might burn your motor. Do to the leak still there.
I found that if itinnnnnflates without inflating. Will burn unit parts on the pump, and time for another one. to replace is easy ebay sells them for 160 bucks. Is time consumming to take it out do to the window washer reservoir playing with it. After that 3 bolt and is out on that pump. To remove the pump from the air drier line which is the black tube that inflates your air suspension bags. You need a flat screwdriver push the color ring and hold (careful) while removing line out. BEFORE you do bleed the air out. There's a bleeder down by following the line and you find a T looking splitter push on it. this will Bleed the air out. I got mine out inspected and found it working fine.
Height rise sensor are magnetic sensors. I don't think they go bad. The main problem is they don't move to much. Just disconnect and raise up and down a few times and reconnect. It might work. It did on mine. 150 bucks at the dealer expensive. Each one is different on the navigator so all four wheels have one.

Air valves. Uhmm solenoids which are the ones that deflate they unit by the sense on sensors and relays. Uhmm could go bad also in cold tempetatures could be an issue.

I believe you have an issue with the seals of the AIR BAG in the suspension TOP. Which is what i had. This are the problem in cold tempetatures. They don't hold well. Even if they get sprayed by oil from the air suspension on an oil leak from it.
If you could buy like my post before the replacement. airbag/suspension/solenoid and do it yourself. Could of save you some money.

Recall on this would be exppppppppensive on them.
very doubtful and trouble some for vehicles after of years in use. Another tech.flaw design is what we bought :D. Simple springs would of been nice. Good luck......Lonewolf

[Lonewolf]

Sorry i post only and answer emails.
Here:
This is all very interesting to me since 6 months ago I had the left front height sensor replace (also a 2003 Navigator) and today my entire back end was way up in the air....dealership says it's the sensor....$976. Am I going to continue having this issue? Anyone have any advise? Email me at [e-mail]. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Do you have a code in your dash errors displays?
This is more like a rear module issue which has to be replace with the old ones info. Try resetting your system by disconnecting the battery for a while. Then see if that fix it. If you have a code in your dash. Search other posts on the The AIR SUSPENSION REAR MODULE. It could off went bad. Check ebay maybe you get lucky. This module is on the top of the back instrument steering column.
Maybe, It could be something else, but this is what it could be. Good luck..........Lonewolf

[North Star]

Like everyone here i too have a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. At this piont I have spent approximately 2400.00 replacing the air lines, rt. front airbag and the suspension computer module to get my suspension issues resolved and they STILL exist! What the dealer has advised me is that I need a part called a "top airbag bracket mount" for the rt. front airbag. The sevice manager at a Ford dealership told me that this part was about 170.00. The problem is that Ford has the part on back order and can not gave any information about when it will be in. I have been in a rental car for about 10 weeks. Can you provide any assitance on the this part or alternatives to getting this matter fixed?

[2overpar]

Lonewolf wrote:

Well update on my problem. I think i fix it partially. My issues is that my navigator has 22' rims. This cause problems to my air suspension/strut shocks/ whatever they call it. by the leakage of air. It damage the airsuspension and it leakeeeed part of it inside. In which damage the seals of the bag and most likely the airbag too. Guys search ebay. Found cheaper parts. Well an airbag with suspension is worth $250 at parts store and ebay. I don't know about a solenoid if include it. If you have a problem like this. I would suggest go this route.
I did different. I recondition mine. I just replace the seals, and the suspension not the bag.
Wallllla it worked. Except, I think there is another sensor or a tempetature sensor somewhere for the front airbags onlyyyyy. Or, is just that my bag which i did not replace. The bag could be lofted or not sealent properly in cold weather. In warm weather. Is working just fine. To change the air suspension assembly founded easy to do. 3 bolts(15 socket and wrench) at top and a big bolt in the bottom (30 socket and a crecent wrench or 30 crown wrench). Then you have 2 nuts 11/16 if i recall. You undo the the steering power column and the top arm bar. this will leave the tension bar holding the lower bar arm and wheel assembly from falling. I used a second floor jack to suppor it :D. Make sure you disconnect the negative on battery prior to any work, or follow instructions on other posts. Do this at your own risk. It was that easy for me to replace with some strength on those bolts and nuts and proper knowledge in getting culture how mechanic parts work. Well i learned a lot and i see if you have a suspension leak replace all. I think for the price of 250. It will be good. I spent 200 not knowing that the bag will not hold on recondioning, and still has a smalll leak but does not leak in warm weather. This could be cause of another sensor for tempetature maybe a trim sensor that i don't know about. Or it just the bag is tear and wear. So for now i'm happy that i got it fixed and inflates in seconds, and i'm driving it in warm and cold. It could be also that is suppose to deflate, as if i recall it was doing that when i bought it. In warm weather does not loose any air. In cold weather relay deflates it or leaks////Don't know yet, but spring is around the corner:D/// Maybe driving the vehicle for a while might overheat sealss and seal better. Or just suppose to do that in cold. Someone finds out on another sensor please post here. Time will tell. I'll be around.:D .........Lonewolf

I have read all your posts (and truly appreciate you sharing your experience); so to summarize: Are you suggesting that if I have a similar problem to just go the route of replacing the air bag suspension kit? Thanks.

[Justin]

You really should check out the conversion kits that strutmasters has. My suspension was leaking and I was shocked by the cost to replace the worn out parts. I found strutmasters and replaced all the air suspension with one of their kits. Rides just as good and was super cheap.

http://www.strutmasters.com