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Check Air Suspension warning light came on. I also noticed that the sound that I heard when I started the car (probably air compressor?) has stopped.
The rear of the car seems to be sitting low.
How do I check if my MGM has air suspension?
Can someone explain what is going on and the solution to this problem?
I did some reading online. It seems that there are two options
1. Replace the air compressor OR
2. Yank out the air bags and use a kit to replace with spring coil and cylinder type shocks.
Thanks for your advice.
You already found the answer. I’ve been in this situation. Pick up a used compressor if it’s much less then new, I found one with a warranty and also had to use it. The airbags could be leaking, but it sounds like compressor, also check fuses for it.
When I have a Mark 8 with air suspension, rather than replace the troublesome air bags when they began to fail, I ripped them out and installed coil springs from a thunderbird. Problem solved.
I'd find some crown vic springs/shocks and swap them in.
I'd ask on a Panther forum for more detailed answer
Swapping out the airbags with regular coil springs is the way to go...and much cheaper. Once those airbag suspension problems start popping up, it can get costly.
I think it's funny that ever since the first mass market American cars with air suspension came in 1958, and the beautiful but incredibly unreliable Citroen DS in about 1955, air suspensions remain unreliable and when they fail, they fail expensively - yet manufacturers continue to shove these unwanted nests of complexity and failure into cars. Can't they figure out that WE DON'T WANT THEM yet?
Swapping out the airbags with regular coil springs is the way to go...and much cheaper. Once those airbag suspension problems start popping up, it can get costly.
We have a 2000 Lincoln Town Car with only 150k miles and got rid of the air suspension for shocks and springs about 4 years ago. Better ride and no more dealing with the airbag issues.
We have a 2000 Lincoln Town Car with only 150k miles and got rid of the air suspension for shocks and springs about 4 years ago. Better ride and no more dealing with the airbag issues.
150k miles!!! Is it reasonable to expect that I will get the same mileage about of my MGM? I have owned Japanese cars and getting 150k out of them is the minimum expectation for me.
Swapping out the airbags with regular coil springs is the way to go...and much cheaper. Once those airbag suspension problems start popping up, it can get costly.
Which brand coil springs should I get? What is the ballpark repair estimate?
Is it okay to drive the MGM for sometime while I shop around for a reliable mechanic?
If the rear is sitting low, an air spring is leaking. If the compressor ran loudly every time you started the car and now no longer runs, then it burned out from feeding a leaking air bag. You'll probably need the full replacement kit, not just a compressor. The whole thing (air springs, solenoids, compressor, dryer) is $440; installation was another $300 in my experience but isn't hard to do yourself. I've used them in my 2003 Grand Marquis LS and 2006 Crown Victoria and found the compressor to be quieter than OEM. I have a small leak in the springs in the Crown Vic again after over 100k miles.
The coil convo kit is only $200. Personally, I prefer the air ride, but the option is there.
If the springs are just a little low, you should be OK driving around. If the rear end is really dragging, minimize driving and go as slow as you can, because it does affect your control.
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