1996 Lincoln Continental Automatic Balancing system/air sho

TMAKSTER

MEMBER
1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
77,000 MILES

While driving the car, it seems that there is a compressor running every 3 or 4 minutes. I am assuming from the location of the sound(under the glove compartment area), that this is the air compressor for the air shocks/balancing control. At the same time, there is NO dashboard warning display saying that the ride control needs attention. Is it possible that there is a leak in the ride control and the compressor is making the necessary adjustments in the air shocks to compensate for this leak OR could it possibly be something as simple as switching the ride control switch(located under the stereo) to a normal ride mode, rather than auto ride control? I am considering buying this car, yet I want to make sure beforehand, that I am not making a purchase that will need a major investment in the near future towards the air shocks replacement.

1 Reply

WENDY'89+'92

MEMBER
1 POST

Your problem sounds very similar to the one my husband has been working on fixing this month on his '94 V6. One of his air shocks/stuts was leaking. I could not find replacement shocks/stuts online anywhere. A conversion kit is sold to convert to a non-air system. I eventully found a company who sells rebuilt shocks/stuts. (I'm new here: Am I allowed to say the name of the company?) He decided to replace all 4. It was difficult, almost impossible at first, to do, but it is now done. Just waiting to receive the replacement ABS wheel sensor-the end was broken during the repair-before she goes back on the road for a test drive.
That's the tale of the'94. Hopefully someone more knowledgable can tell you if the '96 has the same configuration.