Well the car is in the shop for my prior post, but I thought I'd bring something else up while I'm awaiting the diagnosis. Ever since I bought the car there is a little pump looking thing by the front driver side fender under the hood, that runs after the car is shut down. Intitially I was alarmed since I was sure that it would kill my battery, but obviously it uses so little juice that it hasn't effected anything, so I just kind of ignore it. I asked some buddies if they have idea what it might be and they suggested that it was some kind of ait pump for the pump in the trunk. I took this at face value and have ignored it ever since.
Well today at the dealer one of the guys mentioned that I must have some kind of leak in my air leveling system. This suprised me a bit since I didn't realize I had an air leveling system. I have the little buttons that change the ride from Touring to Performance, but I always dismissed these things as "gee whiz" buttons and never paid them much heed. Does this sound remotely familiar to anyone? If this leveling system is actually there, I would like it working properly. When changing the buttons should I actually feel the difference? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

yea you have CCR and ELC. THE CCR is known to go bad on these cars. WIllwren had posted strut options for replacement. You could also have a problem with your ELC. The compressor that you here running is part of the CCR and ELC it also supplies the air for the schrader valve in the trunk.

what is the year of your car? Im guessing that you have an SSE or an SSEi

My pump runs occaisonally too. I just had my struts replaced maybe 1.5 years ago, and I know they don't leak. So, having the pump run is no biggie.. unless it'* a lot. 1993 SLE explained the rest


-justin

Time to clear the air (no pun intended).

The pump is for ELC, not CCR. So your buttons will have no effect on the ELC or air leaks whatsoever.

This will help with your problem:
http://www.williamwren.com/struts/elc.html

Including a link for disabling CCR when a strut fails

I assume that'* why my car sags in the back. I always figured my struts were getting weak. SO if I replaced the struts that are bad, does that mean the compressor stops running? Just wondering. Thanks for the excellent advice! I'll have to get some of this stuff fixed when I get the money. BTW I have a 95 SSE. I bought the car a few years back and she'* had some problems not to mention a few dings and smacks. I have vowed that she will be a nice car if it'* that last thing I do!! So its a labor of love. Thanks again!

By the way, what does ELC stand for?

Yep, that sure is why the car sags in the back. When you replace the struts, the pump will still run, HOWEVER it will not run as much. It will seldomly come on when the car is off. So, don't be alarmed if it runs when the car is sitting.

ELC = Electronic Level Control


-justin

Thanks Gents, much appreciated