I've had an issue and tried general diagnosis so far, I'd like more opinions.

My ELC pump will come on within 3-5 seconds of ignition being turned on. It then runs approximately 30-90 seconds. On a drive of say 3 miles, I will hear it come back on and off after an extended period of time. Park the car, run an errand of 4 minutes. Once the ignition is on again the pump once again begins running like before.

This issue began before my new struts (one was bad, I replaced them thinking they were old and leaking as well). Thinking the issue was a leak..I pulled the tires and got out the soapy water. No leaks detected at either strut connection or strut boots.

During leak detection I used the manual to test the level arm switch and it tested perfectly. Waited the full 27-35 seconds to turn on compressor and turned off quickly when I slowly lowered the arm to indicate raising of the vechicle.

Tonight I plan on checking ride height changes and ensuring the compressor is supplying air properly wnen needed.

Any suggestions or tips? I know many of you have dealt with the system and I'm looking for addiional advice.

Thanks

the compressor assembly has alot of areas to leak. try swapping out the whole assembly. one area of interest is the compressor head/purge assembly. the head part can be cleaned/rebuilt, but the purge valve assembly cannot. that'* why it'* easier to just replace the whole compressor assembly. there is also a check valve and drier on the compressor assembly that can leak.

the elc pump should come on 15-30 seconds after "key on" and run for about 3 - 5 seconds to pressurize the system. this is overridden by the level sensor. I concur with you that you are losing pressure, as when you start your car, it turns on right away and runs a long time.

there is also air connections in the trunk by the solenoid assembly.

I've looked at them as well. thanks for the heads up...although..ride height does not seem to be low or high at any given time. That'* the part that has me wondering if there is a leak..or a fault.

remember, with no pressure in the system, the springs will hold the car level. one way to check it to adjust the car height up. that way you can see it fall after it sits.

That'* the plan... Measure..then crank it up. remeasure..

I don't understand the pump coming on 3-5 seconds after you start the car. It'* supposed to have a lag time of about 40 seconds IIRC.

It'* possible if you don't open the door to turn off the retained power, that the pump might be coming on due to a leak as if the car had never been completely shut down. I recall someone having a problem with a leaking system and the pump running down the battery because it didn't shut off after the car was turned off.

the ride height switch overrides the standard pressurization routine. his switch is seeing it being low, hence, it goes to fill mode right away.

Right...

I have diagnosed the switch with the a arms on jacks and me manually moving the lever. It waits 27-35 seconds and then pumps until I lower the switch where it is happy and turns off.

Unless I have a dead spot on my switch, however it that'* the case..I'd expect my car to be riding much higher.

I just (Ilike this past weekend) replaced the rear struts with new ones. My compressor runs just as much as it did before and my car still saggs way too much for me. I am going to replace the springs this weekend (hopefully) and maybe that will help as well.