1989 Lincoln continental ride control not responding. compressor was replace after vehicle sat for several years. all air was out of system. installed new compressor. turn on key car leveled. front of car was jacked up to change oil with out disable switch in trunk turn to off position now front is high and back is low. Turned of switch let car sit started car and rear will go up but front wont go down and rear will not stay up when weight is added. . Need to know if there is a way to reset so all air is discharged and then may be reset the system to see if it works after that.

It is located throughout the car. One main part that fails is the Master dump valve which releases all the air in the system to lower the car. If this solenoid sticks, the air will continue escaping from the sealed system or the pump may run and not stop if it runs at all.

When I got my 1994 Continental, it had already been converted back to a coil-spring suspension, and the air-ride system was GONE. You will find that is the case with most of the ones that are still on the road. The air-ride system turned out to be an unreliable, trouble-prone, nightmare for most owners....and it was cheaper to scrap it and go back to after-market coils, than what it was to have a Lincoln dealer fix it. Looks like you're destined to join the club....If you decide you want to have it fixed, and make the car driveable, be prepared to PAY for it.

Make sure the trunk switch is turned on. Your doorjam and trunk switches are wired into the Air-ride. They must sense the openings are closed before the lift compressor will work.

There are level controls for height. If the car was put on a lift without the switch being turned off, the positioner may be stretched beyond working.

The link below is to a video showing how to remove the air springs. Although the car in the video is a 2000, the design has changed very little over the years. You may want to disconnect the air compressor and lines after you replace the air springs with conventional struts.

Air Spring Repair/Removal Lincoln

Yes, theres a kit that replaces the air bags with shocks and springs and then they give you a small module that connects in the trunk to the air suspension diagnostic connector to turn off the air ride light and keep compressor from running, i,ve found that the price ends up costing the same or more to replace than repair. i have done a ton of these and the problem is the bags leak and sometimes cause the airpump to go bad, theres a web site i use that sells these parts cheap and they work great, start by replacing the bags and then the compressor if needed, the selinoids on the bags are reuseable, now if this car has the front and rear air ride then it is cheaper to convert and i think this car does if its got the v6 engine then it is front and rear air suspension, they sell a kit for 499.00 dollars and comes with struts and springs complete to convert i think just one air strut is 200.00 so it is cheaper to convert .i hope this helps, the web site is get google Airnott industries and then go to the coorect year and make for your car,

why do you want to replace it? As air is exhausted through it, it dires it out for the next use. it's part of compressor assembly.

1996 cont'l The air suspension system includes the following major components:

• Air compressor to supply air to the air springs (part of front spring and shock and rear spring and shock absorber assemblies
• Front spring and shock (3C098) and rear spring and shock absorber (5A965) at each corner of the vehicle
• Four linear air suspension height sensors (5359): two rear and two front height sensors to maintain the vehicle at the proper ride height; only LH rear height sensor is used for air suspension.
• Dual-mode front spring and shock and rear shock absorber assemblies with internal actuator.

All system functions are controlled by vehicle dynamics control module (5A919). This control module receives inputs from several different sources. These inputs include:

• vehicle speed via multiplex communication network
• ignition switch position
• door position via multiplex communication network
• height sensor position
• air suspension service switch
• engine rpm via multiplex communication network
• ride and steering personality settings via multiplex communications network

Communications monitor system operation and allow diagnosis of any concerns that may develop in the system. System monitoring for the driver's use is provided through the instrument panel mounted message center indicator (10D898).

• Diagnosis communication for the service technician is provided through the data link connector (14489) (DLC) under the instrument panel and Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent.

The message center indicator will display AIR LEVELING DISABLED or CHECK RIDE CONTROL if the suspension system is not turned on or the vehicle dynamics control module detects a concern. If air leveling system disabled is displayed, check that air suspension service switch is in the ON position.
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Solenoid Valve Vent The vent solenoid valve operates as follows:

• The vent solenoid valve allows air to escape from the system during venting corrections.
• The valve is located in the air compressor cylinder head and shares a common electrical connector with the motor.
• The valve is enclosed in the cylinder head casting, which forms an integral valve housing that allows the valve tip to enter the pressurized side of the system.
• Air leakage past the valve tip is prevented by an O-ring seal.
• The vent solenoid valve opens when a corner of the vehicle is high and the vehicle dynamics control module (5A919) determines lowering is required.
• When the vent solenoid valve is opened, it provides an escape route for pressurized air.
• However, the vehicle will not lower unless the air spring solenoid valves (5311) are also opened to allow air to leave the springs.
• Lowering the vehicle corners requires the vehicle dynamics control module to open two solenoid valves, the vent and one air spring solenoid.
• Air is exhausted from the spring and vents through the compressor air drier (5346).

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Section 04-05: Suspension, Computer Controlled 1996 Continental Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Air Compressor and Drier Assembly Removal

1. Turn air suspension service switch OFF.
   

1. Disconnect electrical connector located on the air compressor.
   

1. Disconnect two air lines from compressor air drier.
   

1. Remove three fasteners retaining air compressor and drier assembly to radiator support, frame rail and fender apron.
   

Those cars are notorious for ride system failures; you fix one item and then it's the next, things get quite expensive. You might want to reevaluate just how much you like that car. By the way, just because a compressor is noisy doesn't mean it's bad. Often, they'll work for years and rattle like a baby's toy box. Have that system evaluated by a pro will be the cheapest way to go, I assure you.

maybe you got dirt in the line to the rear. Here's some background info:

The air suspension system includes the following major components:

• Air compressor to supply air to the air springs (part of front spring and shock and rear spring and shock absorber assemblies
• Front spring and shock (3C098) and rear spring and shock absorber (5A965) at each corner of the vehicle
• Four linear air suspension height sensors (5359): two rear and two front height sensors to maintain the vehicle at the proper ride height; only LH rear height sensor is used for air suspension.
• Dual-mode front spring and shock and rear shock absorber assemblies with internal actuator.

All system functions are controlled by vehicle dynamics control module (5A919). This control module receives inputs from several different sources. These inputs include:

• vehicle speed via multiplex communication network
• ignition switch position
• door position via multiplex communication network
• height sensor position
• air suspension service switch
• engine rpm via multiplex communication network
• ride and steering personality settings via multiplex communications network

Communications monitor system operation and allow diagnosis of any concerns that may develop in the system.

• System monitoring for the driver's use is provided through the instrument panel mounted message center indicator (10D898).
• Diagnosis communication for the service technician is provided through the data link connector (14489) (DLC) under the instrument panel and Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent.

The message center indicator will display AIR LEVELING DISABLED or CHECK RIDE CONTROL if the suspension system is not turned on or the vehicle dynamics control module detects a concern. If air leveling system disabled is displayed, check that air suspension service switch is in the ON position.
-------------------------------------------------------
Weight Added When weight is added to the vehicle, the air suspension system responds as follows:

• Air suspension height sensor length is reduced from trim length, sending a "vehicle is low" signal to the vehicle dynamics control module (5A919).
• To restore vehicle to the trim position, the vehicle dynamics control module turns the compressor on by grounding the compressor relay control Circuit 420 (DB/Y). The relay is ground-side switched.
• To allow pressurized air to enter the rear spring (5560) and front spring and shock (3C098), the control module opens the solenoid valves (5311).
• Compressed air flows from the compressor, through the compressor air drier assembly, air lines and solenoid valves into the air springs.
• As the air springs raise the body height, the air suspension height sensor (5359) increases in length until the preset trim height is reached.
• The vehicle dynamics control module then turns off the compressor (through the relay) and closes the air spring solenoid valves.
• ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Weight Removed When weight is removed, the air suspension system responds as follows:
  
• Air suspension height sensor length is increased from the trim length, sending a "vehicle is high" signal to the control module (5A919).
• To restore the vehicle to the trim position, the vehicle dynamics control module opens the vent solenoid valve (located in the compressor assembly) and opens the solenoid valves (5311).
• Compressed air flows from air springs, through the solenoid valves, air lines, compressor air drier (5346) and out the vent solenoid valve.
• As the body lowers, the air suspension height sensor length decreases until the preset trim height is reached.
• The vehicle dynamics control module then closes the vent and solenoid valves.

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Control Module Power and Ground The vehicle dynamics control module (5A919) is located above the upper luggage compartment trim panel and lower module tray. Module power is provided by Circuit 418 (DG/Y) at Pins 36, 37, 56, 57, 58 and is powered through a Fuse 7 (30A) in power distribution box. Module ground is provided through control module wire harness Pins 6, 39, 40 and 60. The data link connector (14489) (DLC) is located in the passenger compartment under the instrument panel, 300 mm (12 inches) right of the steering column. This connector allows communications between the vehicle dynamics control module and either Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent or Rotunda Service Bay Diagnostics System (SBDS)® 001-00001 or equivalent. When the CHECK RIDE CONTROL message is displayed in the message center indicator (10D898), a system error has been detected by the vehicle dynamics control module and is stored in the control module. This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) will be retained for the next 80 ignition switch cycles. If there is no repeat of the same error during these 80 ignition switch cycles, the control module will erase the DTC. Because of this self-erasing memory, a customer may have had a concern "just a few days ago" that is not retrieved from memory when Diagnostic Test Mode (DTC) "Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTCs" is executed. This must be kept in mind if you must tell customer that no current concern has been found. When the vehicle dynamics control module detects a concern, the air suspension system is disabled for the current ignition cycle. If the condition causing the concern clears up during the current ignition switch cycle, the system will not reactivate. For example, if the customer has severely overloaded the luggage compartment, the system will not be able to trim the vehicle without exceeding the compressor run time. This will generate a DTC that disables the computer controlled suspension system. If the customer then drives the vehicle and unloads the luggage compartment without turning the ignition switch OFF, the system will not adjust for the new load. The customer will experience poor ride quality and the vehicle will not adjust trim.

the ride control bags are in the rear only. you probably have a leak in 1 of the air lines or the bags are bad.

you would have to unplug compressor and remove airline and tie in a valve like one off of airshocks.
it is usually the air springs that rot and start leaking. so you will probably still leak down. you can replace with coil springs and do away with air ride your continental has airride front and rear?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lincoln-Continental-Coil-Spring-Conversion-Shock-Shocks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ020QQitemZ300262870255QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

this would do away with system all together