Ride Control light
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,021
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From: "There's a he11 of a lot of things they didn't tell me when I signed on this outfit....... i'm pract
Ride Control light
I'm looking at a 1994 (at a dealership) and kinda interested..... the service ride control light is on. Carfax report shows that suspension was serviced in December 2004. Any ideas on how serious the "light on" may be? If it may be a easy, cheap fix it wouldn't bother me.....but if it would run into several hundred dollars it would......or if it is something that can just be ignored, that's OK too.....Comments, ideas? 
Thanks!
Larry
Thanks!
Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
I'm not sure, but I believe that if the car is started 3 times without being moved the light will go on. If you've driven it and the light stays on, that could be a sign of trouble.
The adjustable suspension option (FX3) is expensive to repair. New shocks cost ~$200 each and new actuators (if even available) cost a lot more. You can find used actuators on eBay for ~$100-$125, but they're old parts which might be on the verge of failing also. I would stipulate to the dealer that the FX3 system should be thoroughly inspected (by a knowledgeble mechanic) and that if repairs are needed they should be done before you purchase the car.
The adjustable suspension option (FX3) is expensive to repair. New shocks cost ~$200 each and new actuators (if even available) cost a lot more. You can find used actuators on eBay for ~$100-$125, but they're old parts which might be on the verge of failing also. I would stipulate to the dealer that the FX3 system should be thoroughly inspected (by a knowledgeble mechanic) and that if repairs are needed they should be done before you purchase the car.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 16
From: O'Fallon MO
Originally Posted by sraft
I'm not sure, but I believe that if the car is started 3 times without being moved the light will go on. If you've driven it and the light stays on, that could be a sign of trouble.
The adjustable suspension option (FX3) is expensive to repair. New shocks cost ~$200 each and new actuators (if even available) cost a lot more. You can find used actuators on eBay for ~$100-$125, but they're old parts which might be on the verge of failing also. I would stipulate to the dealer that the FX3 system should be thoroughly inspected (by a knowledgeble mechanic) and that if repairs are needed they should be done before you purchase the car.
The adjustable suspension option (FX3) is expensive to repair. New shocks cost ~$200 each and new actuators (if even available) cost a lot more. You can find used actuators on eBay for ~$100-$125, but they're old parts which might be on the verge of failing also. I would stipulate to the dealer that the FX3 system should be thoroughly inspected (by a knowledgeble mechanic) and that if repairs are needed they should be done before you purchase the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,236
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
Drive the car and see if the light goes out first.If they recently worked on the suspension, check to see that the actuators are seated properly on top of the shocks, and the metal retaining clips are present and seated properly. That's very easy to check in the front, but to check the rears the dealer will have to pull the rear shocks.
Most likely one or more shock and/or actuator gears are broken, and that means the parts will need to be replaced. It's fairly easy to check the computer codes to find out which shock(s)/actuator(s) has the problem, and it's also not a lot of work to replace them. However, as mentioned above parts are expensive.
I would at least find out exactly what will be needed to repair the car before you buy it. If you need to buy parts then use this in negotiating the price. Better yet, make the dealer fix it before you buy it. Oh, and if they fix it, be absolutely sure that the service light comes on and goes out with all the other lights when you first turn the key on. You don't want them to "fix" the problem by just pulling the warning bulb!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Hi all,
I have just begun to offer rebuilds of the actuators to help alleviate the cost associated with buying new ones. I replace the two final drive "gears" with ones that function exactly as stock but are made from billet aluminum. The rebuilds are very nicely done and cost less than half the price of new actuators. I am working on getting my website up and running to make these more accesible to everyone. I can provide any more info or photos if anyone is interested. Sorry to those who may have already read my postings on this topic. I am hoping to change the current mindset that if the actuators are broken they must be replaced. There is another option if yours has broken gears besides buying a new one or taking a chance on someone elses used ones. Thanks.
Aaron
I have just begun to offer rebuilds of the actuators to help alleviate the cost associated with buying new ones. I replace the two final drive "gears" with ones that function exactly as stock but are made from billet aluminum. The rebuilds are very nicely done and cost less than half the price of new actuators. I am working on getting my website up and running to make these more accesible to everyone. I can provide any more info or photos if anyone is interested. Sorry to those who may have already read my postings on this topic. I am hoping to change the current mindset that if the actuators are broken they must be replaced. There is another option if yours has broken gears besides buying a new one or taking a chance on someone elses used ones. Thanks.
Aaron
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Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Sounds like an interesting deal. Hopefully you will work to get set up as a CF Supporting Vendor so you can advertise and sell them them here.
Yep, he'll become a supporting vendor and lose money
