ABS/Ride Fuse

[jwillia136]

Recently, I noticed my ABS light and Traction Off lights come on on my dashboard, followed by the buzzing sound from my brakes/traction control. I removed the fuse from under the sterring column labeled 5B for ABS/Ride. All worked well until I noticed my rear end very low.

My question; is this fuse used for the ELC as well as the ABS?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. if it's in the wrong forum, I apologize

[sonoma_zr2]

no, they are completely differnent systems. the elc fuse is in the engine compartment

edit: I missed the 94 part, wait for another reply

[jwillia136]

Thanks for your input, sonoma_zr2.

I placed the fuse back in, turned the ignition from off, to run, then back off. The pump lifted the rear up about 4 inches, so I once again removed the fuse and let the car sit. About 3 hours later, the car was low at the rear.

I then looked in my manual for the fuse layout then found "Performance Ride" and "Touring Ride," features for the suspension, which my SSEi doesn't have.

In which case, I believe I solved the problem here (with a little help), if my car has that wiring system, only without the features equipped, which would make the ELC to malfunction with the fuse out.

Unless anyone can prove me wrong with that, I think I might have to get my ABS looked at to keep me from scraping my rear.

[LakevilleSSEi]

They're two different systems. ELC is the Electronic Level Control, which uses an air compressor and air shocks to keep the car sitting level when loaded. The "Performance" and "Touring" is the CCR which is Computer Command Ride. That adjusts the firmness of the suspension for different handling and ride characteristics.

If you pull the ABS fuse the light will still come on on the dash I believe. IIRC they aren't on the same circuit.

[captainmiller]

On my '96, ABS, CCR, and ELC are all on circuit 5B. I would first try and diagnose your ABS problem. What exactly do you mean by a buzzing sound?

If you are letting your struts fill up on a level surface to normal ride height, and you see that they are noticeably low after a few hours, I would have to say you have a leak in your air ride system. It will likely be the struts themselves.

[sonoma_zr2]

if your elc system brings the rear up to ride height, but settles back down, you have a leak in the elc system. This has nothing to do with abs. With the elc fuse pulled, the system will neither fill or purge, and since it does purge , it is a leak. Your elc compressor is in the engine compartment, under the air filter. The leak could be there, the hose that runs to the rear struts, the rear struts themselves. The easiest way to test the rear struts is put in the elc fuse and let it fill. Spray soapy water in the rear strut bellows (the rubber part). Leaking air will cause bubbling. If it leaks fast enough, you should also be able to hear/feel it.

[jwillia136]

My ELC works fine, with the fuse in the 5B slot, just when I remove it, I notice it goes low after a while. New struts (Monroe Sensatrac) installed just about a month and a half ago. Thinking maybe the the valves open with the fuse out or the pressure releases or something.

The buzzing sound I hear sounds like the traction control buzz along with the brake pedal vibrating. Have an appointment at local Pontiac dealer on Thursday.

captainmiller: If they really didn't change circuity from 94-96, then that would explain the ELC not keeping the height like it did before I removed the fuse.

But thanks for all your input, and in the meantime, I'll go check my lines and struts, just to see if they're still working as they should.