Thanks Paul,

No solenoid in the air spring? I trust you, but then why do they have a pair of wires going into them? The sensor mechanism is a lever on the axel. And further when I click on the scanner to release the air, I hear a click from the rear. Not an air pressure sensor? Its got to be something electro/mechanical.

Maybe I will place a rod against the spring and listen to it when I hit release air and I can be sure. I find it interesting that sometimes opening the rear hatch will trigger the springs to release air. The foxwell has to have the key on to engage the system but then if you turn the key off and remove it, the scanner will stay connected, and it can still operate the air compressor.

My continued experience is that when I use the foxwell to inflate the rear to the highest level, Raise rear manually until its high, then it stays up overnight and the next day, usually. Pretty much staying up, currently.

I see on another parts site that they use test leads and a battery to activate the solenoid in the shocks to release the air in order to install them. Maybe a different model but usually these systems are basically the same, so yeah, solenoid. Good to know not likely to be the manifold block.
As I suggested, its not worth asking which it is because its also replaced with the air bag, it would all have to come out together anyway.

My memory is starting to come back on these older wagons. Some have the external solenoid and some don't. In your case the solenoid IS in the air spring. If memory serves, the three pin connector is for four corner leveling with ADS and the two pin is W/O ADS with only rear leveling. Either way, you're looking at an air spring.

So then Paul and ILUVMISL? Then explain what are the wires for that plug into the air bag. And you do know they sometimes show a battery and test leads used to release the air by jumping these pins in the bag to install on some models.
So the release air function is actuated at the manifold and not the airbag? and why the audible hiss either front or rear when the system balances after parking. How does the rear bag let pressure off, which it does, At the Bag, audibly, if there is no solenoid there.

OH OK Paul thanks, yes mine is a RWD 2004 and Yes, Im sure you are right, as agreed you cant just replace the solenoid and its one assembly..Just seeing your reply just sent minutes ago.

Not trying to argue and thanks for the good guidance!
But now it leaks down fairly fast but then I I lift it to 3-5 MM ride height with the scanner, which gives a nice firm ride, it stays solidly up for as long as it sits. Does not bleed down when parked. Solenoids often have a shaft which operates a valve and the bushings can wear and the valve can stick, I just wish I could get a drop of oil in there which might totally cure it in the near term. It worked beautifully on the gas control solenoid on my tankless water heater..
Thanks for a great forum with good professional input to sort out amateur conjecture like mine.

OK I keep going to the end, Now this car had NO air compressor when I got it. But the airbags were full and it stayed fine for many months, then finally went down. I replaced the pump and found blown fuses both at the dash and under the passenger footwell.
NOW, I can pump up the springs and yet whn I open the door or hatch I hear the pressure valve off and then soon its down again. My friend suggests, ok fill the springs with the foxwell to +4 or more, then pull the control fuse. I am suspicious this will do it. Then if it eventually drops again in several months I can re-insert the fuse and fill the system. I dont know why it stays up when over-filled but its not just because more air is added. It stays fully at the higher level and then when operated just drops again. I often hear air valved off when parking after having it raised. I know there are faults in the rear Sam and it has other malfunctions as well, a taillight is out, the window sprayer doesnt function. Possibly when the original air pump burned out something in the computer was also damaged before the high amp fuse was blown in the footwell..