self levelling suspension

Hi all
I have recently bought a '99 Ford explorer, and am a bit puzzled about the
self levelling suspension.
When I stop the vehicle and turn the engine off, the compressor runs for
about 20 seconds, stops for about a minute then does it another 2 times
before all is quiet. It does it whether I remain in the vehicle or get out.
As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be adjusting the height.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal please?

thanks
Trefor

"trefor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all
> I have recently bought a '99 Ford explorer, and am a bit puzzled about the
> self levelling suspension.
> When I stop the vehicle and turn the engine off, the compressor runs for
> about 20 seconds, stops for about a minute then does it another 2 times
> before all is quiet. It does it whether I remain in the vehicle or get
> out.
> As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be adjusting the height.
>
> Can anyone tell me if this is normal please?
>
> thanks
> Trefor

Yes, it's quite normal. The level sensors check the ride height everytime a
door is closed (Actually I think it's as soon as ALL the doors are closed)
and make any adjustments. This happens with the ignition on or off. The
sensor is on the rear axle, slightly to the driver's side of centre (in the
UK, anyway). It seems to be quite sensitive and parking on a gradient or
uneven surface can create enough suspension movement to trigger the system.
It may only make 3 or 4mm difference and the gradual change is hardly
noticeable.
Anyway, you should consider yourself lucky! - I had a 1998 Explorer on which
I spent about 2 years and wedges of cash trying to get the self levelling
suspension to work! I now have a 2000 Ex and all seems OK, although on the
later ones the self levelling is only fitted to the rear and not all 4
corners like on the '98.

Simon H

Many thanks for your comments Simon H; I spent many weeks agonizing whether
to purchase an Explorer, but after 4 weeks ownership, I just love it. I
particularly like the ease of changing the oil, just slide underneath,
(plenty of clearance) undo the plug, unscrew the filter, then refill. In my
previous Mondeo, it was jack it up, remove a wheel, put a screwdiver through
the filter to remove it, drain the sump, replace the filter, replace the
wheel, let down the jack etc. etc. Mind you, the plugs look a bit tricky to
change, especially the ones at the back.


Trefor
"Simon H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "trefor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi all
>> I have recently bought a '99 Ford explorer, and am a bit puzzled about
>> the self levelling suspension.
>> When I stop the vehicle and turn the engine off, the compressor runs for
>> about 20 seconds, stops for about a minute then does it another 2 times
>> before all is quiet. It does it whether I remain in the vehicle or get
>> out.
>> As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be adjusting the height.
>>
>> Can anyone tell me if this is normal please?
>>
>> thanks
>> Trefor
>
> Yes, it's quite normal. The level sensors check the ride height everytime
> a door is closed (Actually I think it's as soon as ALL the doors are
> closed) and make any adjustments. This happens with the ignition on or
> off. The sensor is on the rear axle, slightly to the driver's side of
> centre (in the UK, anyway). It seems to be quite sensitive and parking on
> a gradient or uneven surface can create enough suspension movement to
> trigger the system. It may only make 3 or 4mm difference and the gradual
> change is hardly noticeable.
> Anyway, you should consider yourself lucky! - I had a 1998 Explorer on
> which I spent about 2 years and wedges of cash trying to get the self
> levelling suspension to work! I now have a 2000 Ex and all seems OK,
> although on the later ones the self levelling is only fitted to the rear
> and not all 4 corners like on the '98.
>
> Simon H
>

"trefor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Many thanks for your comments Simon H; I spent many weeks agonizing
> whether to purchase an Explorer, but after 4 weeks ownership, I just love
> it. I particularly like the ease of changing the oil, just slide
> underneath, (plenty of clearance) undo the plug, unscrew the filter, then
> refill. In my previous Mondeo, it was jack it up, remove a wheel, put a
> screwdiver through the filter to remove it, drain the sump, replace the
> filter, replace the wheel, let down the jack etc. etc. Mind you, the plugs
> look a bit tricky to change, especially the ones at the back.
>
>
> Trefor

You get a lot of car for your money, that's for sure! However, those of a
nervous disposition should not look at the fuel guage when going downhill
;-)
I've yet to do the routine service stuff as my previous Ex was serviced at
the Ford dealers as part of the purchase package. I've only had my latest
one for a couple of months and it was serviced by the garage that supplied
it. The plugs & filters look new and the oil is clean so I'm happy for now.
I'll be servicing this one myself and I'll probably change the oil sometime
next month. I did change all the brake discs, pads and parking brake shoes
on my last one in between the dealer services. Buying the stuff from Canada
was much cheaper than from Ford UK! I've since found UK suppliers of brake &
exhaust parts at more realistic prices without having to import from across
the Atlantic.
I look in this newsgroup most days so if you have any more probs or
questions just post in here.
You may also like to look at the rec.autos.makers.ford.explorer newsgroup
and http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/ and http://www.explorer4x4.com/
for more info.
Cheers

Simon H