FAQ: Automatic Leveling Control (ALC) Concerns

Is it worth the money to fix this. Mine apparently does not work and I want to know what could be wrong and how much to fix. Thanks!

What is it doing? Anything? Nothing?

check the fuse? (under the seat)
is the pump running at all?

Well I have never heard or felt it work. I started the car one day and me and my buddy sat on the rear bumper for a few minutes with no adjustment. Its doing nothing.

I do hear a pump type compressor kick in sometimes after I turn the car off. But it is the same compressor that I hear on my 92 bonnie SSE, but I don't know if that has ride leveling or if that is the pump in question.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

check the fuse? (under the seat)
is the pump running at all?

The one under the rear seat?

pop the reat seat bottom off. you will see to black boxes on the drivers side. remove the the one closer to the battery and check for the fuse.

I'll check, sad part is I think I checked all those fuses and they are all good I'll check again.

It seems like something is working if the pump will sometimes kick on when you turn the car off. Mine runs frequently because I have a leak in one of my shocks.

you should be able to turn the key to acc and the pump will cut on after a few min. listen for a buzzing noise from the rear. did you run an ohm or multimeter to the fuses or just pull and look at them? i think it is labeled ELC (electronic level control).

I have a little tool that acts as a dumbed down multimeter. It just tells me if electricity is running thru, not how much tho. But I dislike taking the back seat off, I hate putting the seatbelts back thru the slits.

The pump should run for a few seconds a minute or so after every startup. Find the pump and put a test light on the terminals.

NO 4 EVR wrote:

I have a little tool that acts as a dumbed down multimeter. It just tells me if electricity is running thru, not how much tho. But I dislike taking the back seat off, I hate putting the seatbelts back thru the slits.

I don't think it is that hard to put the seatbelts back thru the slits. As you put the seat back in, just take the belts and slide them in and then snap the seat down.

I know I just like to avoid it

Well fuses checked out, I found a couple fuses and one relay associated with ELC. I think the relay is good also as I switched it with the trunk release relay and that all works. And I hear the pump but I don't think it is working, I'll check again.

95' buick riviera.

what is the name of the device thats below the car , right in front of the fuel tank?


it just started making a vibration noise today... when the car is off! i unplugged the battery unitl i can figure out what is wrong

That should be the air compressor for your rear shocks. It sounds like you may be in for a new set of shocks - when were they replaced last?

Does it stay running, or does it run for a few and shut off?

jax95riv wrote:

Does it stay running, or does it run for a few and shut off?

it runs on and off . i was in the autozone parking lot just listening without the car on. i thought my fuel was boiling for a minute

You probably have a slow leak in one of your air shocks and the compressor kicks on to keep the vehicle at the set height. Mines doing that too. As soon as my springs come in I'm going to change them. My compressor will run whether the car is running or not and the leak has caused my battery to run down over time.

yea , your problem is exactly like mine . so considering that this is the problem , replacing the 2 rear air shocks will fix the issue.. how do they get leaks in them?

They're probably original to the car and it's just time to replace them. Our rides are 12 years old now.

i see , im going to take it somewhere this weekend and get the new ones put on , but i like to buy my parts rather then pay the shop to buy them . any suggestion on replacement shocks?

Check ebay or any parts store. Not many options to choose from.

so our cars have ELC right? Where is it?

Im pretty sure my crapped about a couple years ago. Anyone know where to get a replacement? And has anyone done a replacement themselves?

I think you'll spot it in the left rear underbody. I'd suggest Ed Morad for a replacement. GM repl is pricey, don't know of an aftermarket. This was discussed on the ROA forum recently, no one had offered up any alternatives.