'98 Olds LSS, N/A.

Is the level switch for the rear ALC a common failure point on these cars? My car is sagging badly in the back, the compressor doesn't kick on anymore. New struts all around including new airbags, the system died before I replaced everything. Moving the switch manually does nothing, I'm getting power (two pins) and a good ground at the connector for the level switch connected to the rear control arm, and the compressor comes on if I jump it manually at that connector. I grabbed two switches at the junk yard last weekend and neither seems to work! I'd hate to blow a fortune on a brand new switch (if I can even find one) only to find out that the problem is elsewhere.

I guess this is more of a venting-post than anything else but I would appreciate any advise.

Very odd, the compressor comes on when you jump the switch, but the switch tests out OK? The only thing that comes to mind is test the compressor. It might be on the way out. If you jump the switch, does the back of the car level out?

You may also wish to check the fuse for the ELC. Usually there is a maxifuse for it.

I have followed the procedure in my FSM and it points to a bad switch. The car side of the harness to the switch has power, switched (or timed) power, good ground, and I can jump the compressor from there. Both fuses check out. If I jump the compressor (pins A and B on the car side of the harness) the pump runs and the bags inflate. The two junkyard swtiches I grabbed though don't seem to work. That seems to be an awfully high failure rate although granted, they ARE junkyard parts.

Is the ALC switch a dealer item? How about the pump, is it servicable? It does seem to bleed down fairly quickly, in a couple of days.

It kinda looks like my pump is getting tired too. When the system is totally down I can jump the pump and pump it up, but if the pump is warm and there'* air in the system it doesn't want to kick over. Is it a good idea to open the pump to lube the cylinder and bearings or should I just replace it?

I would say go to the salvage yard and pull one that looks good.

Easier said than done in Southern Ontario. Everything gets rusty up here. Are pumps from Bonnevilles interchangeable with my H-body? I can't even find the OEM-style pump on Rockauto to cross-reference.