PRC ACTUATOR

What's the easiest fix for a PRC actuator; Repair, replace? If so does anybody have an extra one?

Are you sure the actuator is faulty and not the circuit or other issue within the PRC? You may try swapping left and right actuators to see if the problem moves with the actuator itself (actuator issue) or if the problem stays at the same location (circuit issue).

If you think the actuator is faulty, you can remove it and clean it out. You may be able to get it working again.

See this article: <a href="http://www.turbotbird.com/FAQPage/FAQpage2.html#Programmed Ride Control Problems">Scroll down to the repair section</a>



[This message has been edited by JT (edited 01-14-2005).]

The prc light is flashing the code for left rear and I have noticed that corner of the car to be more "bouncy" yesterday and today. So I know that shock is not set to firm while the other three are. Also, about rear prc shocks don't the turbo coupes use the same rear shocks as the super coupes.


[This message has been edited by N8 (edited 01-14-2005).]

Simply unplug both actuators in the trunk and swap locations and force between Soft and Firm modes a few times.

Then with the system either in Auto (soft) or Firm mode, remove both actuators and look on the actuator shaft side. You will see a small S and H. On the shaft of the actuator, you will see two flat sides. Draw an imaginary line between those two flat spots on the shaft and make sure that it is pointing in the direction of the current mode.

As i said above, if the problem moves from one side to the other, then you know that the actuator is likely faulty. See the article in my above post to take apart the actuator and clean it out. That may fix the problem.

If the problem remains on the left rear side after you swap actuators, then you know that you likely have a circuit issue. If that is the case, let us know as we can try to help you troubleshoot it.

The TC shocks are not the same as the SC's

Well I took the rear actuators of the shocks and the both activate correctly. Has anyone ever had the tabs on the shocks get stuck?

Dont know if you ran the codes or any of the pinpoint tests for any codes you got for the PRC system, but a common activator problem is that the activator switches positions when commanded by the PRC computer, but the position switch inside the activator didnt tell the PRC computer that the activator had switched. Of the 4 wires to the activator, 2 power the motor, and 2 are switch contacts that tell the PRC comp the activator position..... switch open in firm, switch closed in soft, or the other way around.... dont remember off the top of my head.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 21 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 04 Taurus Duratec (wifes car)

All I did was take of the actuators (rear only) and made they would both activate. I then checked to see if the shock tabs would turn. Put the actuator back on and so far it's working fine.

To add to Jeff's comments i beleive the sense positions are closed in the Soft position and open in the Hard position.