Hi guys,
I've been reading up on a lot of posts and tech articles here concerning strut replacement. But I still need some advice. I have a 98 Bonnie SSEi so it has both CCR and ELC. It has 170k and I think its time for new struts. The only decent ride I get is when the suspension is set to Perform.
First: both CCR lights are on on the pod so there'* an error somewhere. I read the procedure for reading the code, but Willren and others advise dumping the system. Pricing CCR struts confirmed that for me. My question is: what is the procedure for "Dumping the system"? Can I just replace struts and leave the wires disconnected from them? Will that thro a trouble light on the dash?
Second: my ELC isn't working right - the rear is draggin butt and never fills up. The compressor runs when I use the inflator, but never inflates the struts. I tried Willrens trick of disconnecting the valve wires in the back and pumping the struts up with the inflator switch. It worked but they leaked back down on the next drive. I've done the service manual trouble shooting to the point that it looks like the height sensor is bad. $380 from GM....YIKES!
Should I go to a parts yard to get a height sensor in an effort to keep the ELC? Or should I ditch that too and just put normal struts on all the way around? I assume the rear struts need to be replaced since they won't hold the charge for more than a 15 min ride.
What would you guys do in my position???

keep the elc, make sure your new struts for the rear are air assist. your suspensions operation is factored with elc working. ccr, you could just leave them unplugged or there is a tech info article to loose the lights

I can't find that tech article. But which lights come on when you leave the wires disconnected? Just on the pod or up on the dash?

So going without the ELC is not a good option eh?

just the ride lights on the console, they will both be on in an error condition. You want to keep the elc, just make sure it is the rear struts that are leaking. No sense replacing struts that don't need it.

Does anybody know if the CCR will continue working on the front struts if I disable the rears? I think I'm happy with the front as along as I keep it in perform mode, but the rears probably need to go due to leak. So if I replace the rear with new air struts and replace the height sensor, will I be good to go? Or will the front revert to sloppy touring ride style?

If any strut is missing or bad, the CCR system will fault and not operate.

It'* a marginal improvement at best. Put quality non-CCR struts in.

BEFORE removing the rears, put the CCR system in Performance IF it'* operational, and your struts MIGHT default to the failed selection until you replace the other 2.

Sounds good. The CCR is still functional so I'll try that. I guess my first step is to replace that height sensor and get the ELC working again. Then replace the rears.

The Monroe Sensatracs are highly touted on here, but I understand the Monroe Reflexes are 100x quicker response. Does anyone have first hand experience with the Relfexes? Are they worth the extra money?

I sure appreciate the help and advice guys!

Sure do.

Reflexes are AWESOME. But you can't get them any more. I'm very lucky to have gotten one of the last sets.