GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 22124-B J 22124-B Pressure Gage (0-300 psi)
    • J 22124-91 J 22124-91 Adapter Tube

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

DEFINITION:

1

Is any aftermarket equipment installed on the vehicle that could affect the ALC system?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Step 4

2

Check the aftermarket equipment to ensure that it is not affecting ALC performance.

Is the aftermarket equipment affecting the ALC performance?

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Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Correct the condition.

Is the condition corrected?

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Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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4

Check the ELC fuse and ELC circuit breaker (C Car) or the IGN 3 fuse and ELC fuse (G Car) for an open (blown) condition.

Is the fuse open or the circuit breaker tripped?

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Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. NOTE: If the fuse is blown (open) or the circuit breaker is tripped repeatedly, check CKT 41 (BRN) or CKT 340 (ORN) for a short circuit to ground condition. Is the replacement, reset or repair complete?

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Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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6

Check the height sensor and link for proper connection and damage.

Are the height sensor and the link properly connected and in good condition?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Reconnect or replace the height sensor or the link. Refer to Automatic Level Control Sensor and Bracket Replacement .

Is the repair or replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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8

Does the vehicle leak down when the vehicle is not used for an extended period of time (overnight), but then come up to normal trim height with vehicle use?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
  2. Add approximately 300 lbs of weight to the rear of the vehicle.

Does the rear of the vehicle rise and not leak down? NOTE: Allow 27 seconds for the air compressor to start and then additional time for the shock absorbers to inflate.

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 12

10

Is the trim height at the rear underbody points correct? Refer to Trim Height .

Trim Height

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

Go to Step 11

11

Adjust the height sensor. Refer to Automatic Level Control Sensor Adjustment .

Is trim height at the rear underbody points correct? Refer to Trim Height .

Trim Height

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

Repeat this Step

12

Did the air compressor operate when weight was added?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Disconnect the height sensor electrical connector.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
  3. Connect a fused jumper from the height sensor connector (vehicle side) terminal B to ground.

Is the air compressor operating?

--

Go to Height Sensor Operational Check

Go to Step 14

14

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
  2. Connect the height sensor electrical connector.
  3. Remove the ELC relay from the LH rear junction block (G car) or the rear junction block (C car).
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
  5. Measure the voltage from the terminal where relay pin 85 was removed to ground.

Is battery voltage present?

Battery Voltage

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

15

Check for an open ELC fuse. If the fuse is OK, repair the open circuit condition in circuit 41.

Is the replacement or repair complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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16

Measure the voltage from the terminal where relay pin 30 was removed to ground (this terminal is hot at all times).

Is battery voltage present?

Battery Voltage

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

17

Repair the open circuit condition in the rear junction block (C car) or the open circuit condition in circuit 340 (G car) between the RH and LH rear junction boxes.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

18

  1. Connect a voltmeter between the terminals where relay pins 85 and 86 were removed.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. NOTE: The ignition switch must be cycled if the ignition was left on from the previous step.

Is battery voltage present after 17 to 27 seconds (17 to 27 seconds is the height sensor delay period).

Battery Voltage

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 19

19

Check for a poor connection at the height sensor connector, terminal B, or an open-circuit condition in circuit 321.

Was a poor connection or open-circuit condition found and corrected?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

Go to Height Sensor Operational Check

20

Connect a 30-amp fused jumper between the terminals where relay pins 30 and 87 were removed.

Is the air compressor operating?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 22

21

Replace the ELC relay.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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22

  1. Leave the jumper from the previous step in place.
  2. Disconnect the air compressor electrical connector.
  3. Measure the voltage from the air compressor electrical connector (vehicle side), terminal B, to ground.

Is battery voltage present?

Battery Voltage

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 23

23

  1. Check the following for a poor connection:
  2. • C car - rear junction block connectors C1, C2, and C4.
    • G car - LH rear junction block.
  3. If the connections are OK, repair the open-circuit condition in circuit 322.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

24

  1. Leave the jumper from the previous step in place.
  2. Measure the voltage from the air compressor connector (vehicle side), terminal B, to the same connector, terminal D.

Is battery voltage present?

Battery Voltage

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 25

25

Repair the open-circuit condition:

    • C car - circuit 650
    • G car (OLDS) - circuit 1250
    • G car (BUICK) - circuit 1050

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

26

  1. Disconnect the jumper and install the ALC relay.
  2. Jumper the air compressor connector (compressor side), terminal D, to ground.
  3. Jumper the air compressor connector (compressor side), terminal B to B+ using a 30-amp fused jumper wire.

Is the air compressor operating?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 27

27

Replace the air compressor. Refer to Air Compressor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

28

Check the following:

    • Rear shock absorbers for a leaking air sleeve. NOTE: If the air sleeve is worn through, perform the residual air pressure check.
    • Air tube for kinks or pinched tubes.
    • Air tube for a disconnected condition at the shock absorbers or at the air dryer.
    • All air tube connections using soap and water.

Was a leak or damage found and corrected?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

Go to Step 29

29

  1. Disconnect the air tube from the air dryer.
  2. Connect the J 22124-91 J 22124-91 to the air dryer.
  3. Connect the J 22124-B J 22124-B to the J 22124-91 J 22124-91 with the toggle valve on the opposite side (away from the air compressor) and closed.
  4. Disconnect the air compressor electrical connector.
  5. Jumper the air compressor electrical connector (compressor side), terminal D to ground.
  6. Jumper the air compressor electrical connector (compressor side), terminal B, to B+ using a 30-amp fused jumper wire.
  7. Allow the air compressor to operate until the pressure reaches 690 kPa (100 psi).
  8. Disconnect the jumper from terminal D when 690 kPa (100 psi) is reached.

Is the air compressor able to reach it 690 kPa (100 psi)?

690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 30

30

Replace the air compressor. Refer to Air Compressor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

31

Does the air pressure reading on the J 22124-B J 22124-B stay at 690 kPa (100 psi)?

690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 32

Go to Air Compressor Leak Test

32

  1. Open the J 22124-B J 22124-B toggle valve.
  2. Disconnect the vehicle air tube from the LH rear shock absorber.
  3. Connect the J 22124-B J 22124-B adapter tube to the LH rear shock absorber and to the J 22124-B J 22124-B.
  4. Reconnect the ground jumper to the air compressor connector terminal D (terminal B should still be connected to B+).

Is the air compressor able to reach 690 kPa (100 psi) and then maintain 690 kPa (100 psi) after the jumper is disconnected from terminal D?

690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 34

Go to Step 33

33

Replace the LH rear shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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34

  1. Disconnect the adapter tube from the LH rear shock absorber.
  2. Connect the vehicle air tube to the LH rear shock absorber.
  3. Disconnect the vehicle air tube from the RH rear shock absorber.
  4. Connect the adapter tube to the RH rear shock absorber.
  5. Reconnect the ground jumper to the air compressor connector terminal D (terminal B should still be connected to B+).

Is the air compressor able to reach 690 kPa (100 psi)

690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 36

Go to Step 35

35

Replace the RH rear shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

36

  1. Disconnect the adapter tube from the RH rear shock absorber and the J 22124-B J 22124-B. Do not connect the vehicle air tube.
  2. Disconnect the J 22124-91 J 22124-91 from the air dryer and the J 22124-B J 22124-B.
  3. Connect the vehicle air tube to the air dryer.
  4. Connect the J 22124-B J 22124-B to the vehicle air tube at the RH rear shock absorber. The J 22124-B J 22124-B toggle valve must be on the side of the gage away from the air tube.
  5. Close the J 22124-B J 22124-B toggle valve.
  6. Reconnect the ground jumper to the air compressor connector terminal D (terminal B should still be connected to B+).

Is the air compressor able to reach 690 kPa (100 psi) and then maintain 690 kPa (100 psi) after the jumper is disconnected from terminal D?

690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 38

Go to Step 37

37

Replace the air tube. Refer to Air Tube Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

--

38

Check for a binding rear shock absorber.

Was a binding shock absorber found and replaced?

--

Go to Automatic Level Control System Operation Check

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