4.4i Rear Air Suspension Inactive

[flyup123]

Hey all, I’m back once again. A few months ago I got the dreaded SELFLEVEL AIR SUSP INACT code on the OBC, and I had problems with my rear end sagging after sitting a few hours. I but the bullet and replace my rear shocks with relative ease and the code still remains. The sag is mostly gone except my rear left side will sag after sitting days on end, but it has always done that. As for the code, I would get it for a day or so, and then it would disappear for a few months, and rinse repeat until I replaced the shocks. Now it is always on, and frankly it’s quite annoying. My air pump is working just fine and airing the shocks up when necessary, but I could see something being wrong in there as it is an original part with +180,000 miles on the clock. The ride is buttery smooth, I just hate the light and I don’t want to go to a dealer for a $40 diagnostic check. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the feedback,

Ben T.

[guntherrex]

probably a sensor that is off, I think I've seen it in a thread somewhere. No experience with this myself. If it sags in a few days there might be other leaks in the system

[andrewwynn]

At 180k, the arms on the level sensors are likely both horribly rusted. I had to refurbish both of mine recently. Definitely check them. You can buy replacements for maybe $10@ but mine weren't bent yet so I was able to pull out the ball joints and clean and polish and grease them.

[BigLion]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

At 180k, the arms on the level sensors are likely both horribly rusted. I had to refurbish both of mine recently. Definitely check them. You can buy replacements for maybe $10@ but mine weren't bent yet so I was able to pull out the ball joints and clean and polish and grease them.

Agree - I was quite cheesed off when I saw how one of those little plastic ball joints on the sensor could throw the whole system off as well.

[flyup123]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

At 180k, the arms on the level sensors are likely both horribly rusted. I had to refurbish both of mine recently. Definitely check them. You can buy replacements for maybe $10@ but mine weren't bent yet so I was able to pull out the ball joints and clean and polish and grease them.

Ok, I will certainly check it out!!

[andrewwynn]

Ironically, had they used nylon for the ball vs. steel it would probably not rust and jam. The front is just as bad they all need to be refurbished or replaced. I refurbished mine when I did my suspention refresh.

Tye ball joint simply pulls apart then I spun the ball in a drill and used abrasives to sand off the rust. I reassembled with some good water resistant grease.

Mine weren't Nadene enough that the arm started to bend but that will surely throw off the height when it happens so it's a good bet when you get uneven level without a leak.